HELP: What would cause these shadows?

[silverstar123]

Hi everyone. First post here, looking for some advice. What would cause the shadows that are showing up in these photos? These were taken in a ballroom, no additional flash other than what was on the camera (some Canon SLR, not sure). Our photographer gave us her reason why they showed up like this, but I don't believe her, and want to get some other opinions as to what would cause these shadows. I know there isn't a lot of info to go on, but any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. If you need any more info or have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks in advance.

 

[reznap]

The lens hood is blocking the popup flash.

If you paid someone for these photos I'd be a little upset - if they are accepting money they should have better equipment. I don't do this for money and I have 4 flashes, all of which I can fire remotely and all at the same time if I want - and I didn't spend that much for the setup. Really, all the person needed was a flash mounted on the hotshoe of the camera and they could have aimed it up and bounced the light off the ceiling. If they HAD to resort to the popup flash they should have at least taken the lens hood off.

 

[IgsEMT]

Two things I could think of
1- flash direction (something was abstracting light from getting where you wanted it to go or flash direction/camera orientation - same idea though.
2- sync speed.
I doubt its the second one cause shadows aren't as perfectly pronounced as they'd be if it were shot above the sync speed. But do go for #1.

 

[enzodm]

wide angle lens.

EDIT: or lens hood in a less wide lens (reznap suggestion).

 

[catrinahampton]

Crappy photography...oh sorry!

I am new and can't help but jump right in here!

 

[silverstar123]

Thanks for your quick replies everyone, exactly what I thought. I've had a few instances where my finger (or something) has blocked the flash and resulted in similar shadows, so was pretty confident it was something in the way of the flash.

Unfortunately, these images come from our wedding, and from someone we paid good money to take the photos. Her explanation, if you can call it that, was that the lighting was bad in the room and sometimes you just can't avoid it. Funny, because not one guest image that we saw from P&S cameras had these shadows. We are in the process of attempting to get a partial refund. If you think this was bad, you don't want to see some of the other images.

 

[catrinahampton]

WOW! Sorry to hear that your wedding photos didn't turn out!

 

[reznap]

I'm sorry you're not happy with your wedding photos. There are a lot of wannabe's out there trying to shoot weddings.

 

[SabrinaO]

OMG how much did you pay? Im so sorry!

 

[SabrinaO]

I was going to edit your photos until i saw it wasn't OK to. But i think an edit in lightroom would improve them greatly! Because even the white balance is off! Let me know if you are interested in me editing.

 

[eric-holmes]

Wow. Extremely inexperienced. We should spam their email. I'd get a full refund.

 

[catrinahampton]

Wow. Extremely inexperienced. We should spam their email. I'd get a full refund.

I agree with Eric. A partial refund isn't really adequate. Just curious as to whether or not you saw their portfolio before you hired them or not?

 

[Derrel]

Wow. Extremely inexperienced. We should spam their email. I'd get a full refund.

A valid opinion.

A fun suggestion.

An ideal resolution.

Nice job on the post Eric!:thumbup:

 

[AprilEye]

I don't do this for money and I have 4 flashes, all of which I can fire remotely and all at the same time if I want - and I didn't spend that much for the setup.

WOW! Now that's impressive.

 

[eric-holmes]

Wow. Extremely inexperienced. We should spam their email. I'd get a full refund.

A valid opinion.

A fun suggestion.

An ideal resolution.

Nice job on the post Eric!:thumbup:

Lol, thanks.