How To Prevent Shadows On Backdrops

How To Prevent Shadows On Backdrops
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Shadows show up on backdrops because your subject is blocking light from getting to the backdrop. Now getting rid of those shadows amounts to three things.
- Controlling where your subject is
- Controlling where your light is
- And potentially adding more light to the scene.
So we're going to start with controlling where your subject is. Here's a pretty classic setup, the camera is in front of the subject, in this case I'm standing pretty close to the backdrop, and then the light is off at camera right.
And when you take a photograph with this setup, we get this shadow on the camera left side of the photograph, because I as the subject am in between the light and the backdrop.
But if you move your subject away from the backdrop, give them 4 or 5 or 6 feet in between the backdrop and the subject, and then you take that same photograph, you're going to get a very different result.
You can see that there is very little shadow. That alone will eliminate a bunch of the shadows that you're dealing with, but not all of the shadows, and if it doesn't eliminate the shadows, then the next thing you move to is positioning your light in a different spot.
If we go back to that classic lighting setup, when we take this photograph, we get those shadows on the backdrop, and here you can see there's this shadow on the camera left side of the photograph again, because I am in between the light and the backdrop.
But if you move the position of your light, you're going to move where the shadow is going to fall.
In this case I've now positioned the light to the camera right side more dramatically, and what that means now is that instead of the shadow being cast on the backdrop, because the light is coming from an angle going towards the backdrop, the shadow is now going to be cast more towards the floor and the wall way over here at camera left, which is completely out of frame.
So now when we take a photograph, we get something that looks like this. And as you can see that shadow is basically gone. There's still a tiny bit of darkness over on the camera left side of the photograph, but there's no discernible shadow being cast by me as the subject because we changed where the light is, and we changed where the shadow is going to fall.
Now you might be saying to yourself, “Well, that's great, but now the entire left side of the subject is in darkness, and I don't want that, I want some light in there.”
There's an easy solution for that. Just bring in your V flat, and with your V flat over here just out of frame at camera left, you're going to take some of this light and bounce it back on to your subject, lighting that side of your subject up and even throwing some of that light onto your backdrop, which will make that even brighter and help eliminate the bit of shadow that does show up there.
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[@AngelineZaghloul]

You’re the only person on CZcams that explained this in a way that an amateur like me could understand! Thank you!

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I came here to say this!

[@Sincerelyrenei]

I totally agree!!!

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todd video answered my problem to the point.

[@jim5039]

I really love that this video is straight to the point and uses simpler explanations to help beginners especially. Great job on this tutorial!

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Thank God, someone with simplicity and extravagant explanative skills 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@insidelife9148]

And at last someone spoke the simple language I could understand. Thank you for the tips 👌🏾

[@omabe8025]

To the point information is whats missing on youtube. Thanks for this. I have substantial experience with taking pictures in a non studio set up , playing with available light on the spot which is something i absolutely love doing. Now, im seting up a studio at my place and having to control all the light and shadows and everything is a different universe. Thanks for this.

[@spyrosheniadis]

No problem!!! Happy it was helpful for you!!! Studio is a new and fun animal. Enjoy!!!

[@XOLB1]

FINALLY.. someone who gave simple explanations and solutions! Thank you.. thank you for getting to the point and doing it quickly.

[@NeonPuppyPlayz]

Thank you! Love learning from a fellow Greek!

[@tadbubs]

Dude...DUde...DUDE! You have fixed my folly. Spyros, you're a genius. I love your clear and concise presentation, too. Your energy is infectious. Thank you.
I dabble in videos vs photos. But, I'm sure it's the same principle, yes?

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Very clear explanation. Thanks friend.

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I only can on here for this exact explanation to improve my videos and subscribed just because of this explanation! 😀😅 I’m telling you, good teaching goes a long way! I don’t even know what the other content is about lolz😂 but I’m here for it 😊

[@nomdutilisateur]

Exactly what I needed. Simple, short and efficient explanations. THANKS!

[@greglr19751]

Thanks for the info, M.C. Serch.

[@odettethompson6221]

This is precisely the information I was looking for to set up my lighting. Thank you!

[@Godslight1970s]

Thank you so much...these tips are very helpful.

[@MarijaPetreska]

So thankful for this 🙌

[@sayedmohamd5223]

Simple, straight to the point, and fun to watch thanks

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Definitely a forever subscriber. That was so easy to understand

[@alisadysony]

great simple video. thank you!

[@manoharmgr8235]

வீடியோ மிகவும் பயனுள்ளதாக இருந்தது மிக்க நன்றி
இரா.மனோகர் சென்னை .
Very useful video sir, I learned lot from it, looking forward more videos like this keep it up good work, thanks a lot sirbig thank you R.MANOHAR ,Chennai

[@sweetmemoriesbyjulieclark]

Thanks this really help me. I have that problem so now I know what to do about my lights. I guess I be way too close to my subject so I need to be away and the subject in the middle now.

[@SevensChannel20]

Thanks love your explanation

[@Daysofold]

Super understandable. Thank you.

[@kittenmae]

Finally!! A video that makes it easy to understand. Thank you so much for this.

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Thank youuuu so much omg I've been struggling all freaking day and watching your video helped me ☺️ thank u thank u thaaaaaank u 🥰😘

[@PrinceSodhi]

amazing and well explained.

[@vanyAkun]

straight to the point! Thank you so much

[@meistertv2244]

Thank you. I'm sure this will solve my problem

[@AsparagusVideo]

"Beautiful clean light on both sides" bro you're blown out.

[@armangunpla409]

Straight forward and simple. Ridiculously easy learn tips. Two thumbs up to your sir!

[@Mbkruger]

Your video immediately helped my home setup! Bless up my man

[@pocketman5510]

This helped me so much. Thank you so much man

[@spyrosheniadis]

Awesome!! happy I can help!

[@KamlaKay]

great and easy to understand

[@sophiavlog7350]

All the facts without all the pretentious bollocks. Great stuff.

[@ChuckTipton]

Simple, on point, straight ahead ideas for understanding why shadows happen, and different approaches to reducing shadows on backdrops. Simple yes, but absolutely table stakes for studio lighting technique building. Thanks for the reminders. :-)

[@spyrosheniadis]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@hanar1021]

Life saver, thankyou!

[@IAMBLUSH]

The 3rd technique at 3:33 with two lights is the best option for me, thank you.

[@LeandroM1tchel]

You are so happy teaching us about it🤣

[@pro_chartist]

Extreme clarity 🙏

[@merelymystic]

this was amazing thank you

[@ceetee9389]

Amazing information. Thank you!

[@Bringma4533]

Thank you so much for you big help.It was short, concise and powerful explanation. I understand it better now.

[@djkizra]

Thanks I really appreciate that I am trying to fix my DJ livestream with shadow. Thanks

[@samueljones8427]

I may have seen some of your videos before, but this one takes the cake .. well explained ... you have just shared the learning ... thanks & i just like your channel ... good job

[@simeonsankoh2435]

This is very impressive I really lean on how to resolve shadows for my studio

[@reflexsonic]

Super Hyper Kamehameha useful. Thanks!!!

[@massoudpn]

Very handy video thanks

[@001WHOELSE]

I really understand light and shadows now..

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Your videos are the best on youtube, thank you.

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Thank you! As for a great show to watch while exercising, you can't go wrong with "Northern Exposure"! :)

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omg thanks so much!! I was having this issue ugh...

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thank you so much...i was just asking myself how to illuminate that today...very helpful

[@CHzwaves]

I am grateful for you to give a clear explanation to the point!!! Thanks a lot.

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Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@SummersSnaps]

What is the merit of the collapsed umbrella? Why not pop the umbrella properly? What does using it half collapsed bring to the shot that fully extended would lack? Cheers!

[@eccs19]

Loved the blooper at the end! Epic!

[@spyrosheniadis]

😂😂😂

[@ezhare5627]

Thank you very much sir.

[@LonelyDev71]

Thank you.

[@ElizabethYateshair]

Thank you!!!

[@ianstewart6422]

Absolutely brilliant. I finally understand now.

[@guanlanliu3132]

omg thank you for making it so easy to understand and follow!!!

[@BeHealthyEnough]

Thank you very helpful! I am struggling with shadows in my workout videos and just stepping away from the wall helps. I have limited space so I had to get creative with that too!

[@user-qf3yq9xh6o]

Thank you !

[@syedaftab9887]

Thank you sir!

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wow thank you brother

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Valuable and short to the top just how I like it. And likable personality btw. Subscribed !

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Great video.

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thanks for sharing

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This was great! Thanks for the info🤝

[@cblanchhiphop]

thanks man!

[@jenniferjasper3080]

This was an amazing explanation. Thanks

[@MISHPAKADRUMMERS]

Thanks

[@dr.ghada.fakieh8483]

As simple as that! 🎉

[@lifeofnikk7031]

Exactly what I needed! Thank you! I have 2 umbrella lights and couldn't figure out why I kept getting a shadow behind me for my boutique photos. I think I need to just move my lights. I have little space and normally I have a light on each side of the camera but maybe I need to put them on each side of me. Also, do you recommend using flash while in this setting?

[@musicvl22]

That's what I needed...thank you so much 🙏🙏

[@JParkerAdair]

Life changing. I could not figure out my video lighting because I don’t have any room to move me. This should do the trick; I just need to find something to bounce the light.

[@sajeeusman2205]

Thank you.This vedio solve my lots of lighting problems.👍

[@kevindutoit]

Great video advice for lighting, thank you Spyros!

[@ADAXIONMAN]

Εύγε πατριώτη!

[@MarkHickford]

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands... :p

[@gmxstudioztv]

How about aerial light positioning?

[@jessicasbeautyworld]

This was really really helpful!!!! Thank you for creating this

[@sexyinyour60s86]

Thank you so much for the video. I think it will help. I'll try it out this weekend.

[@FabFindsforu]

Great info 👍 I’ve been trying to get shadows away my cooking videos ... thanks 😊

[@braxtonslife7779]

Thanks for the video. I’m trying to become an amateur photographer and I was getting frustrated with the shadowing taking pictures of my family.

[@wattsiswhat]

Brilliant work!

[@dalilaseca1240]

Thanks, very easy to understand. does it work on Green screen?

[@Authentic_t.e.a]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[@roshsworld6337]

yes, this is what i want..thnks

[@BethMannPresents]

Oh my gosh, this is so helpful. Though I'm guessing there are times shadows are effective? I was just shooting some video and got two shadows and figured that was a bit of a video faux pas, I don't know.

[@haydenwedel8853]

Interesting to know how would you get rid of the horrible glare in your spectacles. All the best

[@Entertained45]

good video thanks

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Thanks this is very helpful 😊

[@itsfikree]

Goood video man, appreciate it 🤩

[@cjclarke-main4641]

Than you very much this was really useful.

[@hebinaakuma9764]

Thank you! You saved the day from frustration! Truly appreciated~

[@Chiledelaire]

Excellent explanation thank you 🍻

[@amyk2635]

Not sure what type of shows you like, but here are a few I enjoy:
-Archer
-Bojack Horseman
-Arrested Development
-Frasier
-Bob's Burgers
-It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
And a few I've heard are good but can't vouch for myself:
-The League
-The Inbetweeners
Archer and Bojack took me a little while to get into, and I onot watched the first 3 seasons of Arrested Development because season 3 was so bad.

[@spyrosheniadis]

Thank you!!! That's a great list, some of my favorite shows are on there, but I haven't watched Bojack, Frasier or The Inbetweeners. I'll definitely check those out. :)

[@MrCochise71]

Happy Thanksgiving Spyros! 30min show
.... Last man standing!

[@spyrosheniadis]

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Last Man Standing! We started watching that and never finished. I’ll add it to my list!

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Fantastic! I smashed that like button and hit the subscribe button.

[@ElizabethYateshair]

Heartland ❤❤