Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Check the user's manual on your camera. Every camera has a maximum flash range which tells you how far you can stand from the subjects of your photograph and have the flash illuminate them. If you flash range is 10 feet and you are standing 12 feet away from the people you are photographing, the flash will not reach them and the picture could be shadowy and dark.
Have your portrait subjects stand in an open area. If the people in the picture are within five feet of a wall, this could cause a large shadow to fall over the area being photographed.
Position the camera directly in front of the people you are photographing if you are using a flash. If the camera is angled, objects which are not in your line of sight could cause shadows to fall over the subjects. The more the picture taker is to the side of the subjects, the greater the risk of shadows in the picture.
Purchase camera-mounted brackets from a local photography supply store. These brackets elevate the flash, causing the light source for the photograph to be above the people being photographed. This makes any shadows in the background appear closer to the ground rather than in the middle of the photograph, where people's faces usually are positioned.
Take photographs in well-lit areas. If you take a photograph in areas that are dim or only partially lighted, large shadows will appear in the background of the photograph. Using well-lit areas reduces the likelihood of shadowy pictures.