ID Photo

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Canon EOS FAQ forum : One Thread

I was assign to take about 100+ ppls ID photo and I have only 1 flash (420ex) using a Canon EOS 33 camera with a 28-105mm lens. I have tried a few test shot but was not very happy with the result. The background I was using is light blue cotton cloth hanging on the wall and I can see some shadow forming (one side of the people head)on the cloth after developing the negative. I was holding the camera in vertical position and the flash head pointing up (bounced flash). So my question is can I some how eliminate this shadow and how? Thanks for any respond.

-- Eric Yapp (mfyapp@hotmail.com), October 10, 2001

Answers

Eric - I have some experience screwing up these kinds of shots, so I have a couple of suggestions: Seperate your subject from the background as much as possible - this will move your shadow further down, and diffuse it some. If possible, take advantage ambient light (window light is best if you can get it) and reduce the portion of overall light that comes from the flash. Use a reflector to bounce some light to the background and/or subject, filling in the shadow.

Your gear is limited for this kind of thing, but it can work. If you forsee similar projects in the future, consider buying the 550EX - you can use it on your EOS 33, and the 420 as a slave for fill. Hope this heplps - good luck!

-- Derrick Morin (dmorin@oasisol.com), October 10, 2001.


Moving the person farther from the background should work, but the only way to really eliminate the shadow is to buy Canon's Off Camera Shoe Cord 2, and a flash bracket. Unless you have the grip for your camera, an inexpensive Stroboframe bracket (I think the model I'm thinking of is called the Quick Flip) that lets you flip the flash will work. If you have the vertical grip, you would have to use something like the Stroboframe Press T or Pro T. This will put the flash in line with the lens again, so the shadow will fall behind the person, even with direct flash.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), October 10, 2001.

Brad is right about the cord ($48 at B&H) - I should have mentioned it. I don't have a bracket for mine, so I have to hand-hold the flash. Effective, if not convenient.

-- Derrick Morin (dmorin@oasisol.com), October 11, 2001.

Hi Eric,

This answer is from the Elan 7E Group

Firstly, this sounds like an official job. Bail out if this is beyond your skill, then call a professional.

Ok, still interested? You need to develop AND TEST your technique. In this case, simpler is often better and cheaper.

Location: Choose a place with low, white ceilings and white walls. A WIDE corridor or SMALL ROOM works well. Hang the blue cloth on the opposite wall. Make the the subject stands about 3 feet/1 meter away from the cloth.

Try the following to see which one works best for you BEFORE the real shoot:

1) Stand with your BACK against the white wall. Aim the flash UPWARDS and BACKWARDS, bouncing off the wall above your head.

2) Stand with your BACK against the white wall. Aim the flash DIRECTLY UP (not forwards) bouncing off the ceiling above your head.

3) Do as for #2, but also attach a SMALL business card to the flash head using an elastic rubber band.
h ttp://www.camera.canon.com.my/photography/film/2000/films18/

4) If you want to get fancy, try using an ORANGE-YELLOW coloured card to produce a warmer light.

5) Use a small card, otherwise the bounce effect is overwhelmed by light reflected directly from the card.

6) If you MUST spend money on equipment, try the Stofen Omnibounce, but the results might not be much different from using a card. See:
http://twalker .d2g.com/flashtest2/flashtest2.htm

Those group members who do not have an external flash can still experiment with bounce flash by using a mirror. See:
http://talisweb.com/j eannie/photo/tinker/

Cheers
Julian Loke

P.S. Please let us know how you get on.
P.P.S. You MUST consult Monte Zucker for posing hints, lighting, etc.
http://zuga.net/
http://zuga. net/freelessons/elegantportraiture.asp


-- Julian Loke (elan7e-owner@yahoogroups.com), October 11, 2001.


Yeah, I just handhold my flash too when I need it off camera. I keep planning to buy a bracket, but I always seem to be squeezing every penny out of my photo budget, so the things I would use least get left out of my purchases. I mostly do nature stuff, so a flash bracket falls into that least used category.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), October 11, 2001.


Hmmm. HTML gremlins :-)

-- Julian Loke (elan7e-owner@yahoogroups.com), October 11, 2001.

I had to do a similar exercise. About 60 ID photos for a construction site.

The equipment - A Powershot A20, and a cream colored sheet as a backdrop.

These where going on ID badges so they would be tiny photos, and not exactly great print quality. All you need to do is position yourself to minimize shadow and your set. OK, you'd need a good setup if they are for posters or similar, but just for ID badges?

One tip, try getting the person to hold a card with their name on it, below where the ID picture frame would be. This makes it much easier to figure out who is who when you get all the photos back. The photos are instantly identifiable, you just crop out what you don't need for the cards.

-- Marcus (Citizensmith@lanset.com), October 12, 2001.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ