How do you avoid harsh shadows?

[Kauaicrazed]

Is there anyway to avoid getting harsh shadows when doing portraits? I only have a built in flash and use window lighting but get some harsh shadows and don't like them. Do I need some sort of back lighting to avoid this? If so what do you recommend? TIA!

[Dermit]

Small far away light sources create harsh shadows. You need to either get the light source closer, or bigger, or both. One way to do this with window light is to put some semi opaque neutral toned fabric up over the window. See through enough to let in light but not so see through that you still have harsh shadows. Another help would be to have a large white panel or fabric up on the shadow side of the face to bounce some of that light back into the shadows. You might have to hold this very close to the subject and just out of frame. Built in flashes are known to be quite harsh due to their small size so they are rarely flattering at all. One thing you might do with the built in is to cut a piece of pastic out of a gallon milk jug and mount it somehow in front of the flash. This will help diffuse the light.

Remember that when you diffuse light whether it is window light or the built in you will knock down the amount of light it can deliver so you need to watch your shutter speed. If it drops too low you can either open the aperture or kick up the ISO or both to compensate.

[dave kadolph]

Try something like this:

Relatively inexpensive solution

[Chris450D]

a ring flash usually helps in such situations

[Trainboy]

I enjoy fill light in RAW, 'cause I usually take pictures of bigger things than people =)

[Kauaicrazed]

Thanks all for your help. It's much appreciated!