Monday, December 6, 2010

Reduce Shadows In Photos

Shadows can ruin an otherwise great photograph. Learning reduce shadows will make your snapshots look even better. And you can do it with very little equipment.


Instructions


Instructions:


1. Take a picture of a group, individual or couple in the middle of a room, rather than lined up against a wall. When your subjects are close to a wall, their shadows will be projected behind them. Move your subject to at least 6 feet away from the wall to reduce this effect. The extra space will allow the shadows to fall on the floor behind them.








2. Use the bounce-flash technique. When using a camera with an external flash unit, position the flash head to shoot the light at the ceiling. By bouncing the light off the ceiling and allowing it to flow over your subjects, you will reduce the amount of shadows.


3. Take your subjects outside. Photograph them in the shade, so the lighting is even. Photographing your subject in the sun will produce shadows on their face. Choose a spot under a tree, in the shade of a building or anywhere outside on an overcast day.


4. When indoors, use window light. The natural light will illuminate your subject well enough to get a good exposure without using your camera's flash.


5. Shoot close-ups. If you are not able to position your subject, try to shoot so you can crop out the background and the shadows. Zoom in on the face, rather than try for a full-length body shot.








6. Purchase an inexpensive reflector at a photography retail store. Since they are collapsible, they are easy to use and keep handy. Use the reflector to bounce light back into the scene to help fill in shadows. This works particularly well when reducing shadows under the brim of a baseball cap or cowboy hat.

Tags: your subject, your subjects, behind them, light ceiling, rather than