Friday, March 23, 2012

TGIF: Managing shadows


[click on photo for a larger image]

While looking through my shots for the lemon baba cake, I noticed that I had some good examples of images with and without a scrim, so I thought I'd demonstrate shadowing in photographs with a side-by-side comparison. Above are two photos of lemons: the difference between them is that the photo on the left was made with a bare window and the photo on the right was made with the window covered in very thin, white fabric. The effect of scrim versus no scrim is strikingly apparent. On the left, we have stark shadows, with a drastic range between the brightest and darkest parts of the image. On the right, the shadows are much, much softer, and the light is quite even throughout the whole photograph. While you'll notice that I do like my dark shadowing, I ended up going with the scrim (image on right) for the post about lemon baba cake because I wanted to achieve a sunnier, vacation-y look and feel to accompany my Amalfi Coast photographs (many of which were taken in full midday sun--yikes, but that's another story). ... just a quick example of how managing light (and shadows!) really makes the mood.

(...and you don't necessarily need a white bounce, either!)

Happy weekending, everyone! (How is it Friday already???)

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for the insight into your photoshoot - even the smallest tips help when you're just starting out with photography like me...

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  2. Wonderful photos especially of my beloved Positano. The cake was a perfect pairing with the Amalfi coast but I must say our lemons look very different to the ones used in the photo!

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  3. Thanks for the post and illustration!  There's so much to learn.  Love the photo, your choice to use the second makes sense.  I've been wanting to make a baba for some time, this reminds me...

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  4. This is a great idea! I was just cursing myself the other day about shadows! It definitely makes a difference, I'll have to give it a shot! 

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  5. Love this tip! More on the way? My fingers are crossed.

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  6. Amazing how the shadows and lighting set the mood. It makes such a difference! Great post.

    Nicole

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  7. This is such a helpful tip! I was just fretting about this issue...thanks so much!

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  8. Thats a great tip! if you don't mind sharing, what camera do you use? I am in the process of purchasing a new "big girl" camera and need all the advise I can get! I know I need one with a 50mm lens, which I have to get separately. 
    Thanks!

    <3 kate
    www.theforgetfulwife.com

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  9. I use a Nikon dSLR. And yes, I would most definitely recommend getting a 50mm lens when you buy your camera--so (cheap and) useful!

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  10. Great tip!

    http://gemmadeit.blogspot.com.au/

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