Calling all MacGyver's out there...

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/21/2005 12:13:50 PM · #1

Alright, I'm taking some portraits for a friend of mine tonight, and I've got My Digital Rebel with the on Camera flash and AE-1 Program that I'm planning to shoot a roll with. For the AE-1, I've got a Speedlite, and I also have a 500watt halogen work light and some white poster board.

I'm very bad with lighting, and most of the pictures I've taken have been outdoors, but they have a beautiful 150 year-old house with an absolutely gorgeous sunroom with a cast-iron stove. How can I get the best lighting possible for this? I'm planning on bouncing the worklight off of the poster board, but what level should at put it at? Near the ground or at eye level? Should I worry about lighting the backgroun since I'm not using a backdrop?

If this goes well, I could start charging for the pictures I'm taking, which would be great since I don't have a job at the moment, so I'm kind of anxious.

EDIT: I'm trying to think of a way to rig up a diffuser for the flash on my rebel. Would taping a piece of peach colored tissue paper over it work? Or would that give it an unnatural color cast?

Message edited by author 2005-11-21 12:15:19.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/21/2005 12:22:03 PM · #2

If you're going to have the main lighting (sunlight) coming in through the windows, it seems like you'd want the reflector to be lower than the subject to soften the shadows and even out the lighting. It makes sense to balance it so the light from below is just a little less than from above, so you maintain the shadows defining the features but keep them from being harsh.

idnic

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

11/21/2005 12:28:56 PM · #3

Did you see this thread? Lighting Lessons

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/21/2005 12:31:17 PM · #4

Thanks for the link to the thread, and General thanks for the info, though I'm going to be shooting at the far end of sunset, probably about 4:30 to 5.

LeeD

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/21/2005 12:35:13 PM · #5

[sarcasm]First of all you need the foil from 1 stick of wintergreen chewing gum, the spring from a ball point pin, and an egg...[/sarcasm]

That lighting will be tough. Can you shoot earlier in the day? What direction does the room face? Will the light be coming in the room early in the day or late? I had/have the same problem. I have a large sunroom in my house and chose a time of day (3:00) when the light would be the best in the room. My room faces west so late afternoon, pre-sunset worked best for me.

Natural light in sunroom

The final result turned out well for me. I used only natural light and a white foam board for light bounce. Any later or earlier would not have been so easy.

Edited to add link

Message edited by author 2005-11-21 12:37:57.

11/21/2005 12:36:24 PM · #6

Darn...and I thought MacGyver was going to be mentioned in this thread. ;^) The kids are just discovering him (thanks to Dad renting the season series DVD's). We're on the second season now...

BTW - MacGyver would use a swiss knive, some household cleaning item, a long wire, and create a series of small flashes (mini-explosions) to illuminate the areas needing extra lighting detail. ;^)

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/21/2005 12:37:05 PM · #7

If I recall correctly, the windows face East-NE and South-SE, so the sun isn't going to be that much of a help to me I think.

glad2bglad: Actually, I think I have some model rocket ignitions and flash paper sitting around somewhere.

Message edited by author 2005-11-21 12:37:51.

LeeD

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/21/2005 12:41:25 PM · #8

I've used a halogen light (the only lighting I have) and it casts a nasty yellow color. I usually hide it by using b/w and/or sepia. I have very little experience and you should take any advice from me with a grain of salt, but these have been my experiences to date.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/21/2005 12:42:43 PM · #9

Palmetto, have you tried using the custom white balance to fix the problem? I usually end up converting shots to B&W to draw attention away from my horrible use of lighting, too.

EDIT: Those shots with natural light turned out amazing.

Message edited by author 2005-11-21 12:43:32.

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

11/21/2005 12:45:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by MyeReadBik:

EDIT: I'm trying to think of a way to rig up a diffuser for the flash on my rebel. Would taping a piece of peach colored tissue paper over it work? Or would that give it an unnatural color cast?

Simple Scotch tape works fine.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/21/2005 12:48:59 PM · #11

What kind of Scotch Tape? Clear or frosted? Double-Sided? How many layers? If I apply the scotch tape under a full moon after burning some incense, will my flash be diffused even better?

And scotch tape is the clear kind, right? Now the brown kind?

11/21/2005 12:52:51 PM · #12

Try this...

Should work. ;^)

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/21/2005 12:55:48 PM · #13

Oh, I do hope they can get that shipped to me before 4pm tonight.

Prof_Fate

11/21/2005 12:59:29 PM · #14

flash and daylight are about the same color, light wise as it relates to film. Room lights and that worklight are yellowish in comparison.

Bst option is to use flash and sunlight only.
you can try custom WB, but that won't work with the film camera. Shoot in RAW and that will help you if you're off abit. It won't fix mixed lighting (as in sun or flash with halogen or room lighting) if you go with the above lighting, then get daylight film. Or b&w film!

To diffuse the light from the flash you could bounce it off the ceiling or wall - but if the walls are not white or close to white you may add in a slight color cast. A cheap diffuser can be made from a rubbing alcohol bottle cut in half with the label removed - slip it over the flash head.

You can use the reflector board to bounce/refelct some of the window light to fill in the shadows.

What i think i'd try is to put them at 90 degrees to the window, the board on the other side of them to lighten teh shadows and then try the flash as fill. the window will give some modeling, the board will keep contrast in check and the flash will give catchlights in the eyes and keep it all exposed properly.

Now then, it is much easier to say than to actually do!

11/21/2005 01:00:14 PM · #15

Originally posted by MyeReadBik:

Oh, I do hope they can get that shipped to me before 4pm tonight.

No problem...try St. Louis Store Locations

disclaimer: I don't work for them...just having a little fun. ;^)

idnic

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

11/21/2005 01:07:28 PM · #16

I've heard of using a cut bit from a milk jug to diffuse the flash, but haven't tried it myself.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

11/21/2005 02:11:03 PM · #17

Cut the bottom 1/3 off of a rubbing alcohol bottle...it should slip right onto the top of your flash. Works great, too.

idnic

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

11/21/2005 02:16:59 PM · #18

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Cut the bottom 1/3 off of a rubbing alcohol bottle...it should slip right onto the top of your flash. Works great, too.

Good one Laurie!

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

11/21/2005 02:30:09 PM · #19

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Try this...

Should work. ;^)

No, you dont want the clear tape. The Invisable Scotch Tape has a matte or frosted look to it.