An experimental study of the interaction of a laser plasma with a flat screen, a wire, a concave cylindrical surface, and two flat plates held at an angle from each other, is carried out. By simultaneously observing the time-integrated spatial structure of the plasma emission in various spectral regions and the time evolution of the plasma emission intensity in various spectral lines, comprehensive information on the nature of the plasma-obstacle interaction is found. The study demonstrates that it is possible to control the properties of a recombining laser plasma by placing obstacles of various shapes in its path and that the luminous emittance of the plasma can be increased greatly by using cylindrical-tube and roof-shaped obstacles.