How Do I Get Rid Of The Shaddow - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

03/03/2010 08:04:41 PM · #1

Granted these were taken in my living room in a space the size of a jail cell, but still - that shaddow annoys me. This is why I like black backgrounds.

pedrobop

Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

03/03/2010 08:11:07 PM · #2

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Granted these were taken in my living room in a space the size of a jail cell, but still - that shaddow annoys me. This is why I like black backgrounds.

I would try a lot of dodge at the background and then some clone tool.
I had an experience like that with this shot:

There were shadows like yours at the right.

Message edited by author 2010-03-03 20:11:35.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/03/2010 08:15:33 PM · #3

That's a good idea, but what I was hoping for was a lighting tip so next time I shoot the shaddow won't be there.

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

03/03/2010 08:19:19 PM · #4

Move your model a little farther away from the wall. Also if you have a secondary flash you can put it behind the model and point it at the wall.

Lonni

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/03/2010 08:19:48 PM · #5

You need to stand further away from the wall and use a shallow enough depth of field that the background is not in focus.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/03/2010 08:57:23 PM · #6

Originally posted by Lonni:

You need to stand further away from the wall and use a shallow enough depth of field that the background is not in focus.

So, you're saying I need to find a place to shoot that is bigger than a jail cell.

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

03/03/2010 09:07:53 PM · #7

Yes, or you could remove the bars which would allow you all to back up.

Issus

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D

03/03/2010 09:44:32 PM · #8

You could try some top or side light in order to get less shadow, move your model at least 30cm (1ft) from the wall.

You could also try two flashes from the front if you don't want just side or top light, and position them as below. Make sure you bounce the flashes off a piece of card or something, not directly lighting. I've guesstimated soft light shadows, and you can see the ideas is that each flash washes the other flashes shadow out. I'd have the right flash closer at about -1ev. Sorry for the crappy picture, i'm at work heh. Just make sure your light is as soft as possible.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

03/03/2010 09:48:44 PM · #9

If you only have one flash, besides moving the subject away from the wall a little also point the flash upwards about 45 degrees so some of the light bounces off the ceiling. It should cut back on the shadows a little bit or at very least redirect the shadows lower..

Hussar1812

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

03/03/2010 09:55:16 PM · #10

A reflector could also help if you don't have a second light.

PapaBob

Sony Alpha a7 IV

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/03/2010 10:07:09 PM · #11

I know you want to prevent the shadows next time but here is a way I have found does a great job getting rid of the shadow. Use the clone tool set it to lighten mode then select near the shadow then paint out the shadow. You can even turn the brush opacity down a little so all you end up doing is taking the harshness out of the shadow.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/03/2010 10:52:29 PM · #12

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Originally posted by Lonni:
You need to stand further away from the wall and use a shallow enough depth of field that the background is not in focus.

So, you're saying I need to find a place to shoot that is bigger than a jail cell.

Go outside.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

03/03/2010 10:59:35 PM · #13

Try bouncing most of your flash off the ceiling if you are using a flash unit. If you only have a built in flash, a styrofoam cup over the flash, with the pop up flash thru a hole in the bottom of the cup will diffuse the direct light, and give you some bounce at the same time.
If you are using a tripod, you can also try slower shutter speed and less flash to mix ambient light with flash.
If you use incandescent light, you may have to use a jel on the flash to match it to the color of the incandescent light, then set a custom white balance for the shooting.