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BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Studio, Still, & Personal Portraiture Photography

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member 		 

Shadows in Portraits


During my past 3 months as a beginner of photography, I had a problem. When I take a portrait, usually a horrible shadow comes in the picture, especially in the face or around the eyes. Basically, I have some questions. To avoid this problem, do I need to use a flash during the day time? Or probably take the pictures in a different time of the day? Thanks.


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June 18, 2004

 

Steve McCroskey 		  Hi Gerardo!
Can you upload a photo so we can see what you are talking about??


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June 18, 2004

 

Rhonda L. Tolar 		  Are your portraits outside? And yes, I do use a flash during the day for outside portraits: It fills in the shadows, especially if the subject is wearing a hat. Another thing you might try is having the subject lift their head just a bit, to let the sun light up their face. Most people tend to look down, making the eyebrows cast a shadow on the eyes. Good luck!


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June 18, 2004

 

Jon Close 		  (a) Put more distance between your subjects and the wall/backdrop; (b) Use bounce flash, with a white card on the flash to add fill to the subject's face; (c) Use a flash bracket to raise the flash higher so that the shadow falls below the subject's shoulder; (d) Increase the room's ambient lighting, and if your subject will hold relatively still, drag the shutter (use slower than the top sync speed) to get more background exposure; (e) If these are staged portraits, add 2nd, 3rd lights - studio lights or slaved speedlights.


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June 18, 2004

 

Amanda E. Radovic 		 
 
  Gin
Gin

Amanda E. Radovic

  
 
If the portraits are staged then a reflector is a nice option too. It will allow you to maintain the softness of the natural light and put nice big catchlights in the eyes too. You can move the reflector around to see which angle you like the most - it allows you to keep a little facial modeling (gentle shadow play across the facial features which gives a more depth). A reflector can be bought commercially or simply be a piece of white card, polystyrene - use your imagination. For more dazzling effects you can cover with foil - silver or gold or even a mixture of both. The attachment is done with a gold reflector held very close (more dramatic) wiht strong Aussie summer sunlight backlighting my model (sister)!


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June 22, 2004

 
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