How to avoid shadow???

[paladin]

Any suggestions on how I can avoid shadows like these? thanks. Paladin

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/pladin/Paladin/crw_1913_std.jpg

Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G3
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.02
Shutter speed: 1/200 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Tv
Exposure compensation: -2/3
Flash: External E-TTL (220EX)
Flash EF guide number: 3.47
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 50
Lens: 7.2 to 28.8mm
Focal length: 23mm
Subject distance: 1.96 m
AF mode: Single AF
Image size: 1704 x 2272
Image quality: Lossless
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/pladin/Paladin/crw_1922_std.jpg

Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G3
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.02
Date/Time: 2004:09:14 12:36:50
Shutter speed: 1/200 sec
Aperture: 2
Exposure mode: Tv
Exposure compensation: -2/3
Flash: External E-TTL (220EX)
Flash EF guide number: 3.47
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 50
Lens: 7.2 to 28.8mm
Focal length: 7.2mm
Subject distance: 2.13 m
AF mode: Single AF
Image size: 1704 x 2272
Image quality: Lossless
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal

[stopbath]

The horrid little shadow is from the flash... So don't use the flash.

Seriously, if your flash has bounce capabilities, try that, by bouncing the flash off the white cieling, you'll get a more natural diffused light and it won't be as intense as the flash travels further, and is partially absorbed into the ceiling.

You could pump up the room lights to lessen the contrast in the shadow area to the lit area.

You could diffuse the flash, but you'll still get the shadow, though they won't have such strong edges.

There are other things too like multiple flashes, off camera flash...

[paladin]

The horrid little shadow is from the flash... So don't use the flash.

Seriously, if your flash has bounce capabilities, try that, by bouncing the flash off the white cieling, you'll get a more natural diffused light and it won't be as intense as the flash travels further, and is partially absorbed into the ceiling.

You could pump up the room lights to lessen the contrast in the shadow area to the lit area.

You could diffuse the flash, but you'll still get the shadow, though they won't have such strong edges.

There are other things too like multiple flashes, off camera flash...

Unfortunately, the 220EX doesn't tilt so I can't bounce. I suppose my only hope so far is to diffuse the flash with white kleenex or someting similar. Someone suggested a white sock. I got the sheerest one I could find but it killed all the flash. :( Off camera flash is out as I'm moving around & can't handle that much stuff ... Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

Paladin

[cmM]

I think a sock is a bit of an overkill :D

You can buy a small omnibounce plastic thingie, or small diffusers, or make your own. Kleenex should work okay, just leave some space in between.

Even with those, you'll still have shaddows. You want to avoid that, use another light and shine it onto the background where the shaddows should appear.

[paladin]

I think a sock is a bit of an overkill :D

You can buy a small omnibounce plastic thingie, or small diffusers, or make your own. Kleenex should work okay, just leave some space in between.

Even with those, you'll still have shaddows. You want to avoid that, use another light and shine it onto the background where the shaddows should appear.

Believe me, I looked everywhere I could think of for a bounce/diffuser for the 220EX. No such critter. Bought the universal from Adorama but it simply isn't designed to work with the 220EX. Guess I could make one from a plastic milk jug or something similar. Thank You.

Paladin

[spoolin_photography]

bounce the flash off the cealing the results will suprise you

[BDM]

Some suggestions: Get an off the camera extension cord for the flash so you can elevate it a bit above the camera and cause the shadow to drop down behind the subject. That would also create some "modeling" in the face and generally improve the rather flat, direct flash effect.

Try bounce flash as has already been suggested. Try a light "modifier" such as a mini soft box. A number are available for small flashes.

If you can maneuver the subjects, try to get more distance between them and the background. Although the shadows may still be there, they will be less obvious and the background tone will be lower. That should cause the subejcts to stand out a bit more. The distance should not be great enough to cause the background to go too dark though.

Bruce