How can I reduce shadows in product photos when the item has to hang close to a white background?
Asked 8/3/2018
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2 answers
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I photograph horse equipment for sale against a white background, but many items need to hang on hooks very close to the wall or backdrop. Because there is almost no distance between the product and the background, I get noticeable shadows. I’d like the background to look clean white if possible. What lighting or setup changes can help when I can’t move the product far forward?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
5
A two (2) light set up will do this deed. You can use pin-up lamps from the hardware store, best is reflector flood bulbs. Place one lamp high to simulate afternoon sun. Measure distance lamp to subject. Place second lamp at lens height as close to the camera as you can get without it getting in the way. Close placement is the key, you are filling shadows from the camera's viewpoint. Set the second lamp at the same distance as the main light. Shoot a test shot. Back the fill by multiplying its distance by 1.4 and make a test shot. The density of the shadows are thus adjusted by the distance fill lamp to subject.
Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44949
7y ago
0
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Use lighting that separates the subject from the background as much as possible. A simple approach is a two-light setup: use one main light high up, then place a second fill light near the camera/lens axis to fill the shadows from the camera’s viewpoint. Moving that fill light farther away reduces its effect; moving it closer softens the shadows more.
If possible, create even a little space by hanging the item from a support instead of directly on the wall. That makes it much easier to light the background separately and control shadows.
For a white background, it helps to light the background itself, not just the product. This is especially important with flash, since otherwise the shadows can look hard-edged.
If the item truly must stay right against the background, getting a pure white, shadow-free result entirely in camera may be difficult, so some retouching may still be needed. An alternative is to use a darker background with controlled lighting if that suits your product style better.
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