Shadows

Beginner question...I am having a lot of issues with shadows. When shooting outside, I get them a lot under the chin. When shooting indoors, I still get them under the chin and on the backdrop a lot too. I have a d7100 and altura flash. I use the kit lens. Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Is the flash mounted on your camera? If so you need to get it off the camera. Even hand held off to the side is an improvement. Also, when shooting with sufficient available light, use the flash as a fill flash, not the main light source. Also google "flash photography tutorial for beginner," and you will lots to choose from.

Oh, Welcome aboard Amy. Enjoy the ride.

Howdy and welcome to Nikonites!

As @Bikerbrent suggested, without seeing example images of what you're getting, it sounds like getting your flash off camera and metering more for fill instead of key lighting from the flash will be your biggest help.

A large diffuser on your flash close to the subject will also help in reducing harsh shadows.

If you don't have a diffuser try bounce flash. Bounce flash off ceiling or wall to diffuse it.

Amy said:

Beginner question...I am having a lot of issues with shadows. When shooting outside, I get them a lot under the chin. When shooting indoors, I still get them under the chin and on the backdrop a lot too. I have a d7100 and altura flash. I use the kit lens. Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I too would suggest learning how to bounce your flash. This assumes the head of your flash tilts.

Another good thing to try is using the Flash Compensation button. I pretty routinely reduce the flash compensation by about 1.5 Stops. This is easy to do by pressing and holding the button that activates the flash and turning the Command Wheel to increase or decrease the amount of compensation. This is entirely different from Exposure Compensation. You'll see the setting change in the top-mounted LCD. Use the setting that works for you but I've found somewhere between one and two stops works well.

Here's a good site to help you come to grips with using your flash: Flash Photography Techniques

If doing portraits, get a soft box and remotes. I invested in on and clears up the shadows.

A white reflector held under the chin area will help to soften those shadows by reflecting light up into the dark areas. This is in addition to better use of the flash through bouncing or a softbox of some sort. However, an example picture and we could give more specific input.

Moab Man said:

A white reflector held under the chin area will help to soften those shadows by reflecting light up into the dark areas. This is in addition to better use of the flash through bouncing or a softbox of some sort. However, an example picture and we could give more specific input.

Click to expand...

This was my thought as well. I have a couple of fold up reflectors that are white on one side and silver on the other. They are light and cheap and they go everywhere I take my gear.