Technique on shadow softening???

[IzzieK]

Below is a photo I took in the summer...I like the colour of the food but the shadow on the pretzels bothers me...one of my goals this year is to learn lighting, amongst others...can I please get some idea on how to approach shadows so it looks softer than the harsher version I have here? C&C please....??? I want to be aware of what I am/will be doing next time...

[chauncey]

I see a shadow on the plate, but none on the pretzel.

[Carl in Louisiana]

This an awesome book on light, it was recommended by several members here on the forum and is a must have to better understand light and how to use it. http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-.../dp/0240812255

[IzzieK]

I should learn how to express myself properly -- the shadow of the pretels all over the plate...I mean... I am not happy with the overall shot. That it is sharp, yes but the composition stinks too. I want to go back to cooking this one and practice on lighting I suppose...

I see a shadow on the plate, but none on the pretzel.

[Manfred M]

Isabel - there are all kinds of techniques for softening the light. The important thing is to understand light and the cause of hard shadows.

Hard shadows are caused by small light sources; like the mid-day sun or a small flash that is built into or attached to your camera.

A large light source does not and results in soft shadows. Light from the sun during "golden hour" is a diffuse light source. Bouncing your small flash off a wall or ceiling is another way of creating soft light. Placing a large diffuser between the light source and your subject or using a softbox that is close to your subject are other ways of doing this. Please note - the small plastic diffuser or bounce card that comes with some speedlight is still a small light source and will cause harsh shadows.

[IzzieK]

Thanks Manfred...I guess my problem at the time was laziness. My gear was upstairs, my kitchen is downstairs and I took this shot in the formal dining room. One day when I grow up, I will learn to get my gears altogether in one room..."That'll will do, I can edit that off later" attitude is not the way to get quality shots either...and this year I will learn how to use all my photo accessories and think...yes, I have to learn how to think first then plan...

Thank you for your advices...I have taken these to heart. Seriously. I used to balked at what a diffuser means and your explanation made it so simple. Thank you again...I will try and practice some more...

Isabel - there are all kinds of techniques for softening the light. The important thing is to understand light and the cause of hard shadows.

Hard shadows are caused by small light sources; like the mid-day sun or a small flash that is built into or attached to your camera.

A large light source does not and results in soft shadows. Light from the sun during "golden hour" is a diffuse light source. Bouncing your small flash off a wall or ceiling is another way of creating soft light. Placing a large diffuser between the light source and your subject or using a softbox that is close to your subject are other ways of doing this. Please note - the small plastic diffuser or bounce card that comes with some speedlight is still a small light source and will cause harsh shadows.

[FrankMi]

I am not happy with the overall shot. That it is sharp, yes but the composition stinks too.

Hi Isabel, I think that compositionally I would simplify the number of objects involved. Typically to either one or three. Perhaps one whole pretzel, one partial pretzel, and the cup on the plate. I would be quite happy to eat the other three for you, just to help out of course!

Unless the text on the cup and the word Coffee in the background is significant, I would eliminate both as they are attention getters, particularly red text.

[xpatUSA]

Thanks Manfred...I guess my problem at the time was laziness. My gear was upstairs, my kitchen is downstairs and I took this shot in the formal dining room. One day when I grow up, I will learn to get my gears altogether in one room..."That'll will do, I can edit that off later" attitude is not the way to get quality shots either...and this year I will learn how to use all my photo accessories and think...yes, I have to learn how to think first then plan...

Thank you for your advices...I have taken these to heart. Seriously. I used to balked at what a diffuser means and your explanation made it so simple. Thank you again...I will try and practice some more...

Good advice from Manfred and others. Your pic. was taken at f/5.6 at 1/30 sec, flash used. You might want to try quite a larger f-number perhaps f/11 or f/16. That would increase the depth of field but soften the detail ever so slightly. Was it hand-held?

As to lighting, I once was using a plastic milk jug for watches and 3 CFL lamps spaced around but that was an awful lot of trouble and the hole where the camera shot thru often showed up as a reflection (watches being shiny, generally). Nowadays I use two LED 60deg floods, tracing paper diffusers and large Kodak white card reflector/diffusers - plus a smidgeon of fluorescent light from an overhead tube.





Check out the shadows of the hands on the white dial. Soft and un-obtrusive, IMHO.

Comments on shot quality not invited

Another . .

[NigelD]

This an awesome book on light, it was recommended by several members here on the forum and is a must have to better understand light and how to use it. http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-.../dp/0240812255

+1 to this - It's heavy to start with but so useful in explaining how light works with different surfaces and angles.

[IzzieK]

I think I may have to paste and copy these instructions along with Manfred's. Will help to have more under my sleeves. I have a few diffusers upstairs but lack practice lately...a LOT of practice. Thanks Ted...really...really appreciate it!!!

Good advice from Manfred and others. Your pic. was taken at f/5.6 at 1/30 sec, flash used. You might want to try quite a larger f-number perhaps f/11 or f/16. That would increase the depth of field but soften the detail ever so slightly. Was it hand-held?

As to lighting, I once was using a plastic milk jug for watches and 3 CFL lamps spaced around but that was an awful lot of trouble and the hole where the camera shot thru often showed up as a reflection (watches being shiny, generally). Nowadays I use two LED 60deg floods, tracing paper diffusers and large Kodak white card reflector/diffusers - plus a smidgeon of fluorescent light from an overhead tube.





Check out the shadows of the hands on the white dial. Soft and un-obtrusive, IMHO.

Comments on shot quality not invited

Another . .

[IzzieK]

Hi Isabel, I think that compositionally I would simplify the number of objects involved. Typically to either one or three. Perhaps one whole pretzel, one partial pretzel, and the cup on the plate. I would be quite happy to eat the other three for you, just to help out of course!

Yeahhh...yeah...

Unless the text on the cup and the word Coffee in the background is significant, I would eliminate both as they are attention getters, particularly red text.

Unfortunately, the text at the front is VERY significant to DH. So no go about removing that...and I can't see the word "coffee" in the background because there wasn't any...what you might be seeing was an upside down large juice crystal bowl I had not put away after the party. I will be more careful in the future...also about my "artifacts". Like many women, I seem to collect them..

[Mike Buckley]

Isabel,

The book that a couple people recommended explains very well everything having to do with intentionally creating hard and soft shadows. I can't recommend that book enough for that and many other reasons.

When Manfred mentioned large and small light sources, the operative adjective is relatively large and small. As an example, he mentioned that the sun is small. Though it's the largest source we can use to light a subject, he meant that it's the smallest relative to its distance from the subject. That explains why it creates relatively strong shadows. In contrast, a small lamp positioned inches away from the subject will be relatively much larger and will create much softer shadows.

Again, buy the book if you plan to do any serious studio work. Reading just the stuff explaining how to control shadows will be worth it.

[Colin Southern]

I'll chip in with another vote for "that book". Essential reading for any photographer.

[rpcrowe]

Izzie...

Besides the excellent book mentioned above. You can find a load of information on table-top photography at: http://www.prophotolife.com/video-library/

These short/free video tutorials show how to use low cost and DIY lighting to achieve great imagery...

Episode 1: "DIY Studio Product Photography" and Episode 12: "Quality of Light" would be most appropriate for your query. However, there are many other excellent and handy tutorials in this series...

[IzzieK]

Nigel, come to think of it, I remember having a book on lighting...I bought it in 2008 called Learning to Light by Roger Hicks. I will start reading on it. I think at the time, it was all too thick for my head to go around with but I got to that point where I was collecting builder's lights (have three of them two with their own tripods), reflectors, odds, ends and pieces, umbrellas, hair lights, etc. to gear myself towards tabletop photography...then I stopped. I shouldn't have...then it got forgotten..Recently TobyMac sent his webpage/blog and very inspiring photos of almost everything, I wanted to go back to it. In fact I was in "my storage facility" next door (to my den ) So while we will be having this snowstorm weekend, I will start bringing them all to my makeshift studio where I have my wine bottle collections or down the dining room for food photography...this will be a looonnnnggg week just learning...hopefully the extra lighting system I ordered via Amazon will arrive on time tomorrow or by Monday.

+1 to this - It's heavy to start with but so useful in explaining how light works with different surfaces and angles.

[IzzieK]

Thanks Richard...I took a little peek at the webpage and will supplement my learning curve with them...You are such a big help to me recommending this webpage...owe you one!

Izzie...

Besides the excellent book mentioned above. You can find a load of information on table-top photography at: http://www.prophotolife.com/video-library/

These short/free video tutorials show how to use low cost and DIY lighting to achieve great imagery...

Episode 1: "DIY Studio Product Photography" and Episode 12: "Quality of Light" would be most appropriate for your query. However, there are many other excellent and handy tutorials in this series...

[Mike Buckley]

my makeshift studio where I have my wine bottle collections

Now that's a combination that simply can't be beat.

[IzzieK]

Isabel,....
When Manfred mentioned large and small light sources, the operative adjective is relatively large and small. As an example, he mentioned that the sun is small. Though it's the largest source we can use to light a subject, he meant that it's the smallest relative to its distance from the subject. That explains why it creates relatively strong shadows. In contrast, a small lamp positioned inches away from the subject will be relatively much larger and will create much softer shadows.

Now I understand...thanks...

Again, buy the book if you plan to do any serious studio work. Reading just the stuff explaining how to control shadows will be worth it.

No nothing really serious...I don't intend to earn money from this, just to be able to pick up my camera and know what I am doing instead of guessing and playing with the buttons of the camera...now I have an excuse to be busy when I am home and yet be useful, doing all the things I wanted to do.

Thank you all so much, my friends..you are all so helpful...I intend to learn from all of you. I am looking forward to the rest of this year...

[Mike Buckley]

No nothing really serious...just to be able to pick up my camera and know what I am doing instead of guessing and playing with the buttons of the camera

That's my definition of being really serious.

[drjuice]

Hi, IzzieK and to the person who couldn't see the shadows (relatively small but definitely there and distinct)-

In general, the easiest thing to do is to add a diffuser of some sort. I found one that fits over my onboard flash and another one that fits over the remote flash. I also use my umbrella (white on one side, silver on the other, and loose enough stitching to be able to turn the umbrella inside out).

For crisis situations when I don't bring my toolkit of pieces and parts, I have used a piece of Kleenex or tissue paper wrapped around the light source and stuck down with blue painter's tape (which doesn't leave sticky scum on my camera). I did this once when I had to shoot a shiny paint job with lots of glittery things on it and didn't have any expectation of even needing a supplemental light source. Whew! I really didn't want to drive on that road again; it had potholes bigger than my RAV!

virginia