Photography Shadows

[SkyRider]

Here is a question for the photographers on the Board.

Ever since the weather turned nice in mid-May, I have been taking outdoor pics (no humans or kids).

Question: How do I get rid of the damn shadows in the photos? (It is not always possible but I do try to shoot with the sun behind me.)

 

[Dougal Short]

You can't get rid of them easily in post processing... you can lighten them, but not really get rid of them.

The key is to take the image paying attention to the shadows and maybe even use them to enhance the image. You didn't say of you are talking about snapshots or more formal photos...

Pros will use various diffusers and reflectors to adjust the light. Depending on your camera, you may be able to "force" the flash to fill in dark areas. If you shoot with a DSLR, learn how to expose manually. "Automatic" settings suck in weird lighting.

You point out the main reason we prefer to shoot early and late in the day... Harsh light and the resulting shadows and glare are not photographers' friends.

I should add that 99% of my pro work is underwater, but oddly, shadows are an issue there as well. I always use two very strong flashes to fill in the darker bits, the key being to be able to balance the artificial light with natural. I often shoot directly into the sun underwater (where it's much less intense of course) but this leaves foreground subjects in the dark (so to speak). This is where the flashes come in...

 

[SkyRider]

You can't get rid of them easily in post processing... you can lighten them, but not really get rid of them.

I don't have sophisticated equipment but I have tried lightening the photos but it causes the image to look kind of "artificial".

Depending on your camera, you may be able to "force" the flash to fill in dark areas.

Yes, I set the camera to "forced flash". I am taking simple snapshots with my P&S.

 

[iCr3ampie]

Don't take photos when full sun is out. Take photos on cloudy day

 

[Dougal Short]

I don't have sophisticated equipment but I have tried lightening the photos but it causes the image to look kind of "artificial".

Yes, I set the camera to "forced flash". I am taking simple snapshots with my P&S.

Software like Photoshop Elements from Adobe allow you to deal with highlights and shadows independently, whereas "brightening" lightens everything. So with software, you can lighten the shadows some, without changing the rest of the photo. If you are halfway serious about photography, a LITTLE processing can go a long way.

 

[KBear]

Try to move people into the shade. If you can shoot into the sun as Dougal Short posted with some fill flash it might help, but the flash on a P&S camera does not have much power.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

Easy peasy....just get a camera with a good Dynamic Range or DR. I use the Panasonic LX100 and its great expecially when you have a really whitey white person standing next to a dark person. If no people it also handles shadows in trees and stuff really good. Many cameras cant expose properly becuase the dynamic range is not there to handle the exposure.

No need for flash or anything silly. Lx100 has a large sensor that kills it in DR and low light. This is why I pay premium for a P&S type of camera and is portable. Your phone cant do this. Compared to my previous 60D, it destroys it in low light and DR. Although it is a bit slow at taking the actual pics after shutter press.

 

[ZenSouljah]

Try shooting in the dawn and dusk to take advantage of the better light. Use a reflector instead of a flash if you can. Cloudy days are like a giant soft box so take advantage when you can

 

[explorerzip]

This YouTube channel is great for PhotoShop retouching topics like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpYpT-lZyE

 

[pussyluver]

I think a lot of it has been covered. It really depends on what you are shooting.

Overcast days prevent a lot of shadows if you are shooting people.
Reflectors and fill in flash can help if it is a sunny day and you are shooting people.
Try shooting at golden hour... The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset .., any oter time the light can be really harsh on a sunny day

 

[SkyRider]

Overcast days prevent a lot of shadows if you are shooting people.
Reflectors and fill in flash can help if it is a sunny day and you are shooting people.
Try shooting at golden hour... The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset .., any oter time the light can be really harsh on a sunny day

Its a real challenge when we have an outdoor family event. The weather is what it is and often it is not overcast. The hour after sunrise and before sunset is not ideal because our outings are almost always in the 2PM-5PM time window.

I think I'll give that Panasonic LX100 a try.

 

[pusher69]

Only way to minimize shadows when shooting in daylight with the sun (shadows) is to shoot with large reflectors and a good external flash to try and balance the sun shadow cast

 

[SkyRider]

Thanks guys. These are simply photos of family and friends but I can see from the posts how professionals or serious photographers with their post processing skills, reflectors, external flash and/or time of day shots can eliminate or mitigate shadows.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

Thanks guys. These are simply photos of family and friends but I can see from the posts how professionals or serious photographers with their post processing skills, reflectors, external flash and/or time of day shots can eliminate or mitigate shadows.

LOL yeah scare the shit out of your friends and family with reflectors flashes and big lens and other pro and technical stuff and then have them try act natural and hope to capture the "MOMENT". Like LOL.

The key to photograph IMO is to capture the moment as natural as possible without your external influence. All the other stuff enhances your photos, however if the moment is not captured especially with friends and family WTF is the point then???

Okay I see this stuff being useful if you are pro or a hobbyists, however is this really necessary for capturing the moment and getting good photos. I dont think so.

 

[lucky_blue]

I've had good luck with a Nikon DSLR and an external Nikon flash. It can be difficult to balance it to look natural but the Nikon technology works well.

You will very likely get better results at dawn and dusk.

The Nikon allows wireless flash control using the built-in flash to get some cool highlights and creative shots.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb500.htm

 

[SkyRider]

I went to Best Buy to look at the Panasonic LX100. It is available only online. 2 specs stand out in my mind. 4K video and f1.7. It is also pricey.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

I went to Best Buy to look at the Panasonic LX100. It is available only online. 2 specs stand out in my mind. 4K video and f1.7. It is also pricey.

IMO it shoots some of the nicest 4k I've seen straight out of camera. I think it is similar quality as their GH4. The f1.7 helps a lot in low light and indoors.

Hopefully you can test it out before the 30 days expires and see if you like it. I strongly recommend to test it out and have the option to return it. It is a lot of money. I sold my 60d and a couple lenses for this camera and can not be more satisfied. Only downside is the 4k fills up your HD quickly and is a bit slow. I also got an ND filter for video in sunlight to keep the exposure at the sweet spot for IQ near f9.

 

[SkyRider]

IMO it shoots some of the nicest 4k I've seen straight out of camera. I think it is similar quality as their GH4. The f1.7 helps a lot in low light and indoors.

What class and size memory card do you use?

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

What class and size memory card do you use?

Just a 32 GB because it encourages me to back up. I also carry a 64 GB in case I need it.

 

[SkyRider]

Just a 32 GB because it encourages me to back up. I also carry a 64 GB in case I need it.

Class 10 HC I presume?