Shadow caused by flash

[LauraBean]

How can I get rid of or at least soften the harsh shadow caused by using a flash? (I have PSE 4.)

[bluelemur01]

hi Laura, the best way to get rid of the flash shadow is by bouncing or softening the flash right when you take the picture. Sorry if you already do this sometimes, and I'm just repeating what you already know! For my Nikon D200, I bought a "powerful" external SB800 flash. Then when I use flash indoors, I point it up at the ceiling, or angle it half forward half-up. Then the light bounces off and doesn't create those hard shadows, but still illuminates the subject.

If the ceiling is too high, or you're outdoors, you can soften the flash with a diffuser that you put over the flash itself. I like using Gary Fong's Lightsphere which I bought @ http://store.garyfonginc.com/

However, if you already HAVE the pics & want to improve them, I'd recommend softening the entire background using a Gaussian blur technique. It won't remove the shadow entirely, but it will soften it a bit. Of course it will soften the entire background. I use Scott Kelby's technique, which takes a LOT of steps, but it very worth it in the end! I will try to find a link to it somewhere on line and post it to you. I'm not sure if this can be done in PSE b/c I use PHotoshop CS3. I will try to check on that too!

In a nutshell: Create a duplicate layer of your photo. On the dupe, soften the layer usign some blur techniques until it's VERY soft. Then go back to the original and add a layer mask to it. Select the brush tool and start erasing the shadow & background of the image, letting the blurry one from underneath show through. When you're done, compress the layers. If you do the blur "right" on the underlying layer, you'll get a nice soft look w/out it being too "fake." It will probl. look a LITTLE bit fake, but that might be OK!

Jennifer

[HeidiKnight]

I agree, it's better to avoid the shadow when taking the photo rather than trying to get rid of it later. But the technique listed by Jennifer might work like a charm. Good luck!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Just a note, Laura . . . you can't do the layer mask approach in PSE.

[hguenthe]

Cassie, couldn't she still do it without a layer mask but just erase portions of the original layer so that the blurry layer beneath showed through? I think this is how I used to do it in PSE before getting CS3. I would make a duplicate of the original and place it at the bottom and hide it in case I wanted to resort all the way back to the original, I had a backup.

[deanie]

That's pretty much what I've done, Scott Kelby does it much the same in his book.

[LauraBean]

Thanks for the input! I'm very frustrated by my inability to get good indoor pictures--if I don't use the flash, nothing is sharp; if I do, it's overblown with that harsh shadow. Blah. I tried using a clear plastic cup over my flash once to soften it, but I'm sure there are better approaches!

[hguenthe]

Laura, what type of camera do you use?

Reason I ask is that reading the forums here, I learned about a very cool lens.. the 50mm f1.8 or f1.4 which is great for use in low light and gets very nice, sharp photos. I recently got the 50mm f1.4 and I love it indoors and outdoors too. Really saved my butt when we recently went to the Atlanta aquarium where the lighting is NOT good for photos and a flash really isn't an option nor is a tripod.

Another thing that there are threads about around here is the Gary Fong Puffer which is a flash diffuser for your on camera flash - slids into the hotshoe spot on your camera.

So, if you are using a dSLR, these are most likely options for you to investigate for your needs. The puffer is $20, the 50mm f1.8 (~$100) and the 50mm f1.4 (~$200-300 depending on camera).

[LauraBean]

Thanks, Heather. I don't have a dSLR, and I want one more and more each day, chiefly because of this frustration with my indoor pictures. I have an advanced point and shoot (Canon S3 IS), and it is just annoying me these days, though I thought I was in camera heaven when I bought it last year! Every time I see a photo taken with that 50mm lens I go into serious camera envy!

[Aino]

I do something, which may or may not be an orthodox way of doing it - (I don't have an external flash or diffuser, but I do have a Nikon D50) - I can adjust the strength of the flash and adjust it down - i.e. to -0.7 or even -1.0 depending... and if it is a little dark then, I can always adjust it in Lightroom or in Photoshop afterwards.
Don't know if you can adjust the flash strength on your camera though... perhaps not.