When I'm taking "posed" pic's like for Bill's weekly challenge I always have to deal with shadows. You get light, you get shadows. Are there some simple things I can do to minimize the shadows. I use a p&s and have nothing particularly fancy for set-up. Any good simple "dispersal" tips. Thanks.

Maybe the simplest and cheapest way is to use a reflector: a white cardboard, a piece of white polystyrene (styropor?) If you have got an old slide or movie projection screen, it may be handy for indoor portraits.

Thank you, Michel. I'll try some of that.

Gail,
The first thing I was going to say was to point your flash up (45-degree angle) at a white ceiling so it "bounces". Then I paid more attention to your post:

I use a p&s...

Michel is giving you the alternative solution. Point the flash (you can't) and change the direction of the light. Use a reflector (you can) and change the direction of the light. Both accomplish the same thing.

The other obvious solution is to not use a flash at all. As you say:

I'm taking "posed" pic's

I have had success using the cheap, clip-on flood light enclosures -- the aluminum things you get for three or four bucks at Ace Hardware that take a regular light bulb. Use two of them, one on each side, each pointed at the subject at about a 45-degree angle. You can even add a third, up high and pointing down. Turn the camera flash off when using this kind of light.

Don't know about yours, my P&S does provide a menu setting for White Balance. In these instances I have the ability to dial in "incandescent" for such an event. You can, of course, couple such a light set up with white reflectors as Michel describes.

I have had good success, no success and so-so success. Lots of experimentation is in order. You can find stuff on the web - Google "Light Tent" - using PVC pipe and white cloth. I found what looks like a pretty good one -- have not gotten up enough energy to make it yet because I don't do much of that kind of shooting -- I'll dig out the reference if you have enough interest to ask for it.

Rusty

Links to lightbox plans - I haven't made either yet.... but the instructions on the first one made the most sense to me. I also likes the tips and tricks included at the end of it.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/kmckevin/it ... ghtbox.swf
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

Thanks Rusty and Jane. I'll be looking at all of these. I'm looking for low budget right now. Later after I upgrade the camera, we'll see.

Hey Gail - have I got a deal for you!

If I come up with the supplies to build that first light box - could you build it? Then we could take turns using it.

Jane,
I've already got the PVC pipe and fittings and sheet metal screws. The job looks easy enough, even for a curmudgeonly former engineer. What say I put the frame together and then you and I get together and prognosticate about it? I'm assuming we probably ought to have our own lights and sheets (we certainly have a bunch of old sheets) and poster board, but that's optional. This is pretty inexpensive. I'll be in touch. Wish me luck.

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Great! Here's wishing you much success!

I really just want one picture in a light tent - the pocket watch that was given to my husband when my son was born - it has been handed down for several generations and was the only thing of value that great, great grandfather was able to bring to the US when he immigrated from Russia in the late 1800's.

Of course I'm sure I could come up with other worthy subjects....

Now! It will not be big enough for Bekah or Ari to crawl into. Although you never know.