Macro Shadow
Dec 30, 2013 08:48:12 #
I have a canon sx40 and when I try to get close to a subject, and use my flash, a shadow is cast on the bottom half of the subject. I was in a photography store a few months ago and the employee showed me where to position a piece of white paper, but I forget where he put it to eliminate the shadow...any ideas?
Dec 30, 2013 09:23:51 #
maydincanada wrote:
I have a canon sx40 and when I try to get close to a subject, and use my flash, a shadow is cast on the bottom half of the subject. I was in a photography store a few months ago and the employee showed me where to position a piece of white paper, but I forget where he put it to eliminate the shadow...any ideas?
You do not mention where your flash is positioned, but I am guessing on the camera. As a side note a ring light would also sklve the problem. They can be purchased from $250.00 +. The paper or reflector should go under the subject to bounce light back into the dark shadow area. I hope this helps.
Dec 30, 2013 09:24:46 #
You can do it many ways. Point your flash up or to the side and bounce the light off a white or metallic surface. Depends whether you want front, top or side light. They will each give you render a different effect. Personally I typically use an inexpensive ring flash from cowboy studio lighting. It does a great job. If you were using continuous light it would be easy because you could see the effect of the fill as you move the card but strobe is a little bit harder. This is one of those times when I am happy to have a delete button on my camera.
Flower with ring flash
Dec 30, 2013 09:42:55 #
You did say the problem was the lower half of the photos my guess is he simply used the paper as a filter and held it in front of the flash, to "defuse" the light that's the word I was digging for. :-)
Dec 30, 2013 14:30:11 #
since the light is blocked by the front of the lens he probably held the paper a couple of inches in front of and above the lens to direct the light downward onto the flower
Dec 30, 2013 14:39:51 #
bobfitz wrote:
You can do it many ways. Point your flash up or to... (show quote)
The OP stated he has a (Canon) SX40, which is a bridge camera with a pop-up flash. Since he didn't state anything about an external flash, he doesn't have any way to physically change where it points. So the 'trick' with the piece of paper is the way to make his close-up shots better.
Dec 30, 2013 18:00:48 #
well ,went back to the store and asked him. What he did was took a sticky note and stuck it UNDER the flash and folded it up so that it covered the flash bulb.......I'm not sure how it works, but he stated at that point, the light would be "scattered" thus putting more light onto the bottom of the picture..(therefore no shadow)..he showed me how to do it in the store how to do it. now to practise!
Dec 30, 2013 18:10:45 #
maydincanada wrote:
well ,went back to the store and asked him. What he did was took a sticky note and stuck it UNDER the flash and folded it up so that it covered the flash bulb.......I'm not sure how it works, but he stated at that point, the light would be "scattered" thus putting more light onto the bottom of the picture..(therefore no shadow)..he showed me how to do it in the store how to do it. now to practise!
Cheap (and ugly) diffuser.
Dec 30, 2013 19:13:47 #
oh i know. ugly as sin ! But I will keep track of just how much I need it and see if I need a more "permanent" nice looking one....dont even know if I can buy one for this camera...
Dec 31, 2013 11:29:17 #
maydincanada wrote:
oh i know. ugly as sin ! But I will keep track of just how much I need it and see if I need a more "permanent" nice looking one....dont even know if I can buy one for this camera...
One of the Gary Fong 'Puffers' would be a great help.
Or one of the less expensive knock-offs, like:
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Built--Pop-up-Flash-Diffuser/dp/B008PW2GHU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354779402&sr=8-4&keywords=pop+up+flash+diffuser
Dec 31, 2013 11:33:49 #
keep in mind it is only a canon sx40....nothing too terribly fancy lol! but I will research these gizmo's and see if it would even be compatible with my camera.
Dec 31, 2013 12:06:34 #
Having recently dived into the Macro photography I too have been struggling with the lighting set ups. There are many types of DIY flash defusers which include:
the folded paper
a piece of opaque plastic
a corner of a milk carton
a Styrofoam or paper coffee cup with a slit in it and a paper towel over the end. ( my favorite as they come in 3 lengths and are easily obtained and replaced)
those were the simplest ones then you move into building your own "snoot" defusers such as the "Pringle can" one just to mention one.
Good luck and be sure to check out UHH's True Macro forum.
Harvey
the folded paper
a piece of opaque plastic
a corner of a milk carton
a Styrofoam or paper coffee cup with a slit in it and a paper towel over the end. ( my favorite as they come in 3 lengths and are easily obtained and replaced)
those were the simplest ones then you move into building your own "snoot" defusers such as the "Pringle can" one just to mention one.
Good luck and be sure to check out UHH's True Macro forum.
Harvey
maydincanada wrote:
I have a canon sx40 and when I try to get close to a subject, and use my flash, a shadow is cast on the bottom half of the subject. I was in a photography store a few months ago and the employee showed me where to position a piece of white paper, but I forget where he put it to eliminate the shadow...any ideas?
Dec 31, 2013 17:47:50 #
maydincanada wrote:
keep in mind it is only a canon sx40....nothing too terribly fancy lol! but I will research these gizmo's and see if it would even be compatible with my camera.
I have one like the link above this comment of yours and it works! Very easy to use and breaks down to put in the camera bag.
Dec 31, 2013 17:49:38 #
Harvey wrote:
Good luck and be sure to check out UHH's True Macro forum.
Harvey
Good luck and be sure to check out UHH's True Macro forum.
Harvey
Don't forget, this is an SX40 and it will NOT do "True Macro" --- They don't treat bridge camera users very nicely over there!
Dec 31, 2013 18:30:59 #
Yes - quite true - the close up photography forum may be better - I took a lot of close ups with my bridge and called them macro till I posted in the macro forum. LOL
Wahawk wrote:
Don't forget, this is an SX40 and it will NOT do "True Macro" --- They don't treat bridge camera users very nicely over there!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.