shadow problems

[jamiebonline]

Hi all,

I have started to take photos indoors and the room available to me is very limited in terms of space. As a result I am having issues with shadows on the wall behind the model. I know that if I moved the model closer to me, farther from the wall it would stop this but there is not enough room to do that. If I move the light (speedlight with softbox) more directly above the head of the model it would help too but that does not make for very flattering pictures, does it?

What is the best solution for someone who has very little money to spend on gear?

Thanks for your help

J

 

[Garry Edwards]

No Internet at my new home yes, so a short answer via my iPhone.
Actually putting your light above your model and directly in line with where she is pointing her head is EXTREMLY flattering, and will help with your background problem too

 

[jamiebonline]

No Internet at my new home yes, so a short answer via my iPhone.
Actually putting your light above your model and directly in line with where she is pointing her head is EXTREMLY flattering, and will help with your background problem too

Hi Garry,

Could you possibly show me an example or a diagram of the set up please? I would need to see it to understand. I only have one light (speedlight and softbox) and a reflector that is only about 1.3 metres on its longest point. Thanks for your help

 

[Yv]

Hi Garry,

Could you possibly show me an example or a diagram of the set up please? I would need to see it to understand. I only have one light (speedlight and softbox) and a reflector that is only about 1.3 metres on its longest point. Thanks for your help

As Garry is struggling with internet, here is an old photo of mine, one speedlight, above model and in this case, to camera left but it can be left or right and at various angles, just try it out.



katie - one light by Yvonne White - WhiteGoldImages, on Flickr


Edit: here is another, again, single speedlight, again above model but with a beauty dish this time and almost on same line as camera, just higher up.


Make-Up Shoot by Yvonne White - WhiteGoldImages, on Flickr


Neither of these are 'perfect' examples, but simply to demonstrate that one light from above is flattering and does work.

 

[jamiebonline]

As Garry is struggling with internet, here is an old photo of mine, one speedlight, above model and in this case, to camera left but it can be left or right and at various angles, just try it out.



katie - one light by Yvonne White - WhiteGoldImages, on Flickr


Edit: here is another, again, single speedlight, again above model but with a beauty dish this time and almost on same line as camera, just higher up.


Make-Up Shoot by Yvonne White - WhiteGoldImages, on Flickr


Neither of these are 'perfect' examples, but simply to demonstrate that one light from above is flattering and does work.

Hi Yvonne,
These look great. Thanks a lot. I will try it out. I think for headshots it should be fine for waist up it might not work so well (?)

 

[Yv]

You should still be able to do it, even in a limited space and doing half body, though you may need to use your reflector too to bounce some of the light back into the shadows. I will have a look if I have any waist up images with one light, but give it a go. get a willing model and start playing, position the light at different heights, distances and angles to model and see what you get.

Also, waist up isn't necessarily flattering for many people, is there a reason you specifically want that range?

 

[jamiebonline]

You should still be able to do it, even in a limited space and doing half body, though you may need to use your reflector too to bounce some of the light back into the shadows. I will have a look if I have any waist up images with one light, but give it a go. get a willing model and start playing, position the light at different heights, distances and angles to model and see what you get.

Also, waist up isn't necessarily flattering for many people, is there a reason you specifically want that range?

I don't specifically want that range but I would like more than just headshots.