Okay, so I'm trying to learn to photograph with external flashes. In particular portraits. I have 2 Nikon SB600 speedlights, and I have really just begun to venture with using them off camera (as opposed to bouncing off the ceiling.
I'm trying to bounce them from either white walls or white cutting boards (easy enough substitute), and I'm finding that no matter how soft I can try to get the light, with the bounce, with and without the diffuser, I end up with nasty shadows when the subject wears glasses. (see example)
This is not the worst example, but it's the worst I've posted.
If I go into manual mode and reduce the amount of light, I can't get it low enough to get rid of the shadows without underexposing the image. Any tips?
So glad you asked this! I'm just starting to learn my external flash and had to "wing it" on some indoor pics last week and had the same issue with glasses!
@lrappa Sometimes the angles are everything, if they're not even then two side flashes can create a set of shadows that are only the deepest bits and no more.
Try one off the ceiling and one to the side with a reflector? I find a lot of the time I get good results relying on top down only.
As for diffusion, sometimes what you need is to hit the manual zoom up on the flash units instead, it can make a big difference, even when combined with a diffuser.
I like the shot posted by the way, it works and glasses shadows can be a great thing, if you're taking the time to compose a shot fully they can be used to frame an eye or add drama to a face.
I haven't figured it out, but have read about it. I bought a circular polarizing filter which is supposed to help and I've also read a tip about tilting the glasses a little bit down.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Try one off the ceiling and one to the side with a reflector? I find a lot of the time I get good results relying on top down only.
As for diffusion, sometimes what you need is to hit the manual zoom up on the flash units instead, it can make a big difference, even when combined with a diffuser.
I like the shot posted by the way, it works and glasses shadows can be a great thing, if you're taking the time to compose a shot fully they can be used to frame an eye or add drama to a face.