In a previous blog I stated that taking pictures outdoors can be tricky. Well, as you may have already learned the hard way, the same can be said for indoor photography. Indoors your eye and your camera may not always read your subject the same way.
To avoid this problem from ruining any more of your shots consider following these indoor lighting techniques:
Eliminating The “Halo Effect.” Move your subjects away from the wall. By doing so you help eliminate the halo shadows that pop out of your subject and make them appear larger than they are. This annoying effect occurs when your flash goes off, only the shadow won’t be evident until after you have taken the picture.
Diffuse Light. When taking photos with artificial light you may run into a problem with shadows. One way to avoid this is to use some sort of diffuser such as white paper. Simply place it in front of your light source to soften the glare. You could also use tin foil wrapped around some cardboard or a cooler lid. Remember to place your light source on one side of your subject and the reflector on the other–this will soften any shadows caused by your light.
Control Your Flash. If you are taking a picture in a room with poor lighting and you have your camera set on auto everything your flash will likely engage. However, in most cases while the flash will help light up your subject it probably won’t do much to illuminate the background. What’s more, if your subject has black hair or is wearing dark clothing you might create a “floating head effect.’ To avoid this have your subject move closer to the wall. This will give your flash the chance to light up a bit more than just your subject’s face.
Use The “Party” Mode. Look for the icon on your camera of a person with a star above them (most newer cameras have this feature). This mode still triggers the flash, but it allows for more available light to be used so your subjects and their surroundings gain more exposure.
Removable Flash. If your camera comes with a removable flash try aiming the flash at the ceiling when you are shooting indoors. The light from the flash should bounce off the ceiling and in turn light your subject from above rather than from the front.
Using Your Digital Camera To Your Advantage. Having a digital camera comes in very handy when you are shooting in a tricky lighting situation. Use your camera to your advantage by taking a few test shots and examining the end results. By doing so you can make the necessary lighting adjustments and delete the test photos once you get the shot you’re happy with.
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