Why is there a semicircular shadow at the bottom of my photo when using the built-in flash?
Asked 12/3/2013
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I'm using a Nikon D70s with the built-in flash and sometimes get a large semicircular shadow at the bottom center of the image. It shows up in landscape orientation, but not in portrait orientation. Is this caused by the built-in flash? What usually causes it, and how can I avoid it while still using flash?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
17
The most typical reasoning for this circular obstruction is the use of a lens hood that is obstructing the flash. It could also be caused by a rather large lens itself getting in the way as well. A similar effect can be found when a wide angle lens is used that is beyond the coverage of the flash.
I would consider what lenses you were using, at what focal length, and with or without a lens hood. Adjust the combination of these things and you will resolve this issue. It is of course possible that you will have to remove the lens hood to effectively use the built in flash. Alternatively you could use an external flash mounted on the hot shoe(Yongnuo option), or off camera by using any one of a number of techniques to get the flash further from the lens(this will also improve other aspects of flash beyond resolving this issue).
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
12y ago
0
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Yes. This is usually caused by the built-in flash being partially blocked by the lens or, more commonly, the lens hood. Because the flash sits close to the lens, a large lens, hood, or certain wide-angle settings can cast a curved shadow into the frame. Rotating to portrait can move that shadow out of the visible area, which is why it may disappear.
Ways to avoid it:
- remove the lens hood when using the built-in flash
- try a smaller lens
- change focal length if a wide setting is causing it
- recompose so the shadow doesn’t fall on a nearby foreground subject
- use an external flash on the hot shoe or off-camera
- bounce the flash off a ceiling/wall if possible, or use a simple bounce card/diffuser
In short: the camera flash is firing, but something near the lens is blocking part of its light.
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