Troubleshooting

Most Problems Start With Setup

When a session feels off, start with the basics: one light, one wall or sheet, one clear silhouette. Most shadow problems come from lighting, angle, or fatigue, not a lack of talent. Work through these checks in order before rebuilding the whole figure.

If the Shadow Looks Blurry

• Check the light first: Use one small, focused light source. Large diffused lights soften the edge.
• Move closer to the screen: Hands closer to the wall or sheet usually create a smaller, sharper outline.
• Turn off extra lights: Room lamps, daylight from a window, and LED strips can create double edges.

If the Shape Reads Wrong

• Rotate before rebuilding: Sometimes the shape is fine and the angle is wrong. Slight wrist rotation can fix a surprising number of figures.
• Simplify the silhouette: Close gaps that do not belong there. A clean outline reads faster than a detailed but noisy one.
• Watch the wall, not your hands: The audience sees the shadow, so that is what you should judge.

If Your Hands Shake or Tire Quickly

• Lower the effort: Use shorter practice bursts instead of long, tense holds.
• Support your posture: Relax your shoulders, keep a soft bend in the elbows, and reset between repetitions.
• Take breaks early: If a figure starts to wobble, drop your hands, shake them out, and start again.

If Performance Nerves Kick In

• Shorten the routine: Two clean minutes is better than five messy ones.
• Keep going after mistakes: Audiences usually do not know the shape you intended.
• Make visibility the first priority: A clear shadow solves more audience problems than a more complicated script.

If You Are Using the App

These tips are about camera recognition rather than shadow quality on the wall.

• Keep your full hand in frame.
• Use even lighting on your hand for camera detection.
• Hold still for a couple of seconds while recognition runs.
• Clean your camera lens and simplify the background.