How do I get rid of these shadows?

[rwilliams]

I have a LOT to learn about outdoor photography & getting the lighting right, so excuse me if this is a dumb question. In this picture, how would I have gotten rid of the shadow behind her on the blanket? I tried to adjust here where the sun wasn't causing bad shadows on her face, but I couldn't figure out any way to prevent the shadows behind her. Would a simple reflector solve this problem or do I need some other type of light?

 

[480sparky38 37]

Shoot in the shade............

 

[rwilliams]

What if there is no shade available?

Shoot in the shade............

 

[table1349]

A Photographer's Portable Sun Shade

 

[rwilliams]

That's pretty awesome. Adding to my husband's honey-do-list Thank you!

A Photographer's Portable Sun Shade

 

[TheNevadanStig]

In that pic it would probably be pretty easy to clone out as well.

 

[W.Fovall]

you could also use a white sheet in place of blue tarp if you just want to soften the shadows..

 

[KmH]

What if there is no shade available?

Shoot in the shade............

You make your own shade.

5-in-1 reflectors have 2 slip covers that have a different color reflector on each side - silver, black, sunlight, white.
Those slip covers go over a diffusion panel that is the body of the device.
The diffusion panel is partially transparent (it's a fine mesh screen) and lets some sunlight thorough.

 

[rwilliams]

That's what I plan on doing, but I would so much rather have it right straight out the camera.

In that pic it would probably be pretty easy to clone out as well.

 

[Light Guru]

The shadow bed info the baby is not distracting. The Dutch tilt making the baby look like she is going to fall over however is distracting.

 

[TCampbell]

You can turn on the flash and use it for "fill". It won't completely eliminate the shadow but it will substantially weaken it (you'll have a soft shadow.)

You do want some shadows. Good "light" is based on having good "shadows". Shadows provide the 3-dimensional feel in an image. If there are no shadows at all then the image will look flat.

 

[TWright33]

Take the picture 180 degrees from where you took it, and then get down on the babies level.

 

[rwilliams]

Thanks, I straightened it out when I finished editing it

The shadow bed info the baby is not distracting. The Dutch tilt making the baby look like she is going to fall over however is distracting.

 

[Topo]

I honestly don't think the shadow looks unnatural, but you could simply lighten it in Photoshop. In this attempt, I selective curves and an action called paint with light.