Unwanted shadows can significantly degrade your image quality. Here's how to fix them with better lighting.
Coming to you from Lindsay Adler with Adorama, this practical video explores three core techniques to handle distracting shadows—modifying the quality of your light, adjusting your subject's position relative to the background, and repositioning your main light. Adler first demonstrates the striking impact of switching from hard, direct lighting, like a bare bulb, to soft and diffused lighting using a large umbrella. This simple adjustment effectively reduces harsh shadows that otherwise dominate your image. As Adler points out, larger and softer modifiers dramatically improve the appearance of shadows, providing a smoother, more appealing result.
Next, Adler discusses moving your subject away from the background. Even a minor shift, such as positioning your subject just a few feet forward, can have a significant effect. Adler clearly illustrates this by maintaining the same hard, bare bulb lighting setup and then changing only the distance of the model from the backdrop. With this adjustment, the shadow moves from the backdrop to the floor, effectively removing it from your shot. Understanding and applying this strategy gives you greater flexibility, especially in spaces where modifying your lighting options is limited.
Adler also addresses the third technique, repositioning the main light. She shows that simply adjusting the placement of your lighting horizontally and vertically shifts shadows away from problematic areas. For example, moving the main light slightly off-axis creates shadows that appear less intrusive or disappear entirely from the background. She explains clearly why even subtle adjustments to the angle and height of your light can significantly enhance your final images. This approach can be your go-to technique when neither space nor equipment allows for the other adjustments.
Additionally, Adler emphasizes the importance of considering how these changes impact the overall mood and aesthetics of your photograph. Changing the quality of light, for instance, alters the atmosphere of your image, so it's essential to balance technical adjustments with your creative goals. She recommends choosing the desired lighting quality first, then adjusting subject placement and finally refining your light's position to handle shadows without sacrificing your intended mood. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Adler.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
No comments yet