This morning I attempted to take some shots down by the lake of my daughter and one of our dogs. It is about the 3rd time that I have tried to get some decent shots of the two down there. I have tried different times of day and the shadows always end up too harsh. So, my question is will one speedlight fix the problem or is this too much for speedlights to handle? What would be the best modifier to use on it ..umbrella or softbox? Which filters would work best. Would just a reflector work? Is the only solution a large setup with strobes or something?
Here are two of the photos I took this morning to use for critquing of what the best solutions would be. I know they are horrendous, that is why they are being used as examples. Granted, a less windy day would be needed for any type of setup but is the only solution to wait for cloudy days?
The only thing I used was a polarizer filter and I attempted to use NIK Viveza on the shadows but it didn't help much. I tried having them situated in many different directions of the sun. I know #1 it would be best for her to take her glasses off, they are thick glass since she has very bad eyesight and they only add shadows and distortion but she would still have squinty eyes due to the sun!
I've never used reflectors before, approx. how far away do they reflect so they are not in the photo if you are taking a full-body portrait to include some scenic background?
Sorry for all the questions!! Ok, on to the pictures ...what would have solved the shadow problem in these two for example? I am looking for the smallest, easiest to use and least expensive solutions that would at least minimize the problem where maybe in post I can fix the rest with maybe NIK Viveza. She'll never go for a huge setup being put up on the beach and we are usually walking and moving around alot anyway!
Here are a few I took on a different day at a different time of day with still the same probem ...
This last one I actually edited the shadow off of her arm because it was real bad ...
Any advice would be appreciated since right now I'm looking at my only choices are a cloudy day or giving up on the idea. The second choice is what my daughter votes for ...LOL!
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