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When do shadows work in a photograph and when do they need to go away?
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Jan 5, 2015 14:13:10   #
bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana
 
Funny, but when I composite an image, like add people to a family portrait, I struggle to get the shadows to look right, while some thing you need to remove them.

I agree with the others, shadows show depth. I prefer soft shadows, but not completely shadow free.

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Jan 5, 2015 14:15:56   #
bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana
 
Funny, but when I composite an image, like add people to a family portrait, I struggle to get the shadows to look right, while some thing you need to remove them.

I agree with the others, shadows show depth. I prefer soft shadows, but not completely shadow free.

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Jan 13, 2015 17:10:11   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
I am having trouble viewing the subject unless you want the knobby shoulder to be the subject. The shadows hide the subject for me.

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Jan 30, 2015 20:23:06   #
Pixelmaster Loc: New England
 
MDCORAM:

Sometimes you have to see that shadows are the picture. Learning how to use them is the trick.



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Jan 31, 2015 20:35:08   #
boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander
 
mdcoram wrote:
My intention was to capture this image without shadows. Natural light alone included shadows in most every direction. A direct flash caused harsh shadows on one side. This image was shot using my Nikon D7100's flash as a trigger for an off camera flash. It was the best I could capture and I kind of like the shadow it created. I would still like to figure out a way to light this without any shadows at all if that's possible. Any ideas?

As this is a B&W shot, without the starkness of the shadow vs the light this shot would be very boring. As above the only imorovement might be slight fill flash on the face, and thats a very minor " improvement"

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Feb 1, 2015 06:40:14   #
OldeTurtle Loc: Greensburg, PA
 
ebrunner wrote:
I'm not an expert at studio work; but I would think that a total lack of shadows would make the image flat. I like the shadows you have here. They are not at all a distraction. Without shadows, the shoulder and arm would blend right into the neck. Here you have some darker areas at the top of the shoulder which makes here position more apparent.


Spot on.

:thumbup:

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Feb 5, 2015 13:49:50   #
selig1656 Loc: Bel Air , Md
 
In this pic I believe that shadows here are a positive aspect that do not detract from the subject , maybe soften them up a little. shadows many times add a degree of depth and character.Lovely pic.

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Feb 6, 2015 19:46:58   #
brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia
 
In my experience, without reading all the comments. So I am sorry if I copied what you said.. To avoid harsh shadows, you need to reflect light that is cumming from the opposite side. Or diffuse the source of light. If you do not have the budget or the assets to achieve this delicate balance, then you need to shoot as closely to your goal as you can, then rely on you editing skills to achieve your means.

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Feb 6, 2015 19:49:28   #
brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia
 
That's a good shot!

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Mar 9, 2015 04:30:07   #
JoeHorenkamp Loc: Michigan
 
It's a nice picture to play with in Paint Shop...

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Mar 12, 2015 10:25:07   #
valley3photo
 
Use a ring light if you want no shadow

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