Monday, August 1, 2011

It's time for a TIP...

Welcome to the first of my weekly photo tips.

My aim is to keep them simple, for the general 'happy snapper' wanting to get some better photos of their family or for those that just want to take some photos for the fun of it but are a little sick of being so hit and miss with their picture taking.

Don't take for granted the digital age we live in, the fundamentals are still the same, it's just that now we can check if we got it 'right' instantly.

Todays tip would be handy for the other WAHM's who photograph their creations.

So, TIP #1 - It's handy to have a reflector. (Portrait/product photography)

Now, this doesn't mean you have to carry around a big sheet of card with you everywhere you go. You can easily use a piece of A4 paper if you want.

(I use natural light as much as possible, and even when I do use flash I have it as a fill light or bounce it so it's not direct, casting shadows or harsh light.)

Reflecting some light with a white sheet (be aware that if you use coloured card or a sheet to reflect from you will get that colour cast. Therefore red = red cast etc.) from the opposite side of the subject than your main light source (window light in this case) will help evenly light your subject and take away some of the shadows cast from the window light.

*Examples have not been photoshopped, they are shown as would appear on the camera.

eg:
(Please excuse my daughters toy as a model.)

Note the shadow on the right of the Dora Doll., and inside arm of the chair.

By using a reflector (I used a gold reflector to add warmth to the image, but you could use a yellow or gold card to reflect some warm tones back into the shadows.) I have evened out the lighting across the subject.

eg:


Note that the shadows are less harsh and there is a slightly warmer tone across the subject. (forgive the slight over exposure.)

Enjoy having a play with this idea and see if it helps light some of your photos better.

Emily Black Photography.

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