Avoid these pitfalls
11: Back flash
Pitfall explanation
Here's your typical night party scene with a typical night party problem. No, that's not an energy-based life form come to observe how humans make merry; that's the reflection of the flash in the dark window, hovering there like a fourth head. It's amazing--though not surprising--how often these flash reflections pop up in indoor shots, bouncing off windows, eyeglasses, and, around the holidays, ornaments and menorahs. Mostly it occurs because you don't really think about it until you see the photos, and by then, the moment has passed.
Here's your typical night party scene with a typical night party problem. No, that's not an energy-based life form come to observe how humans make merry; that's the reflection of the flash in the dark window, hovering there like a fourth head. It's amazing--though not surprising--how often these flash reflections pop up in indoor shots, bouncing off windows, eyeglasses, and, around the holidays, ornaments and menorahs. Mostly it occurs because you don't really think about it until you see the photos, and by then, the moment has passed.
Can this photo be saved?
Maybe. But I suspect it would take some seriously tedious selection and cloning work.
Maybe. But I suspect it would take some seriously tedious selection and cloning work.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Pay attention. The only foolproof way to avoid reflections is to refrain from shooting facing any reflective surfaces, which means you've got to be watching out for them.
Tip 2: Dial back the flash intensity. This won't avoid the problem, but it might make it a little less overpowering and a little more susceptible to retouching later.
Tip 3: Use a diffuser or bounce flash. For a snapshot camera, you can fashion a diffuser by affixing some translucent paper over the flash. Or, if your camera supports it, get an add-on flash unit that tilts upward so that the light bounces off nearby surfaces before hitting the subject. Even if there are no other good reflective surfaces to bounce the flash off, tilting it only slightly would move that big hot spot higher in the frame so that you could possibly crop it out of the photo.
Tip 1: Pay attention. The only foolproof way to avoid reflections is to refrain from shooting facing any reflective surfaces, which means you've got to be watching out for them.
Tip 2: Dial back the flash intensity. This won't avoid the problem, but it might make it a little less overpowering and a little more susceptible to retouching later.
Tip 3: Use a diffuser or bounce flash. For a snapshot camera, you can fashion a diffuser by affixing some translucent paper over the flash. Or, if your camera supports it, get an add-on flash unit that tilts upward so that the light bounces off nearby surfaces before hitting the subject. Even if there are no other good reflective surfaces to bounce the flash off, tilting it only slightly would move that big hot spot higher in the frame so that you could possibly crop it out of the photo.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: Those with a tiltable flash or that support add-on flashes that can tilt.
Suggested models:
What it takes: Those with a tiltable flash or that support add-on flashes that can tilt.
Suggested models:
Additional resources
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
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