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11/17/2006 03:49:26 PM · #1 |
for a 'blowing out a candle' set up.
I am going to take some (amature)portraits for a co-worker's 3 yr old child. She wants a black backdrop. Already have a set up....
But today she told me of a set up she would like. Close up on his face blowing out a candle with candle glow lighting his face...
and camera settings to suggest? (I tend to usually shoot using the auto programs....I know don't yell at me!!)
I have backdrops, 2 umbrella lights, SB600, and lens: 50mm, a 28-80, 70-300
Thanks. |
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11/17/2006 03:55:34 PM · #2 |
The candle light is going to be very yellow so you will not want to use auto color contrast (or you will lose what you so carefully arranged to shoot.) If you camera has a setting for night use that. the problem is going to be, catching enough light with the candle and not using a flash. so fast ISO would be a good idea, normally you would ask the child to hold as still as possible. (at 3 it is tough). I am sure there are others able to give more and better advice but here is a start (plus a bump)
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11/17/2006 03:56:41 PM · #3 |
Candlelight is extremely dim so if you are going to do it with just that as lighting you need a BIG aperture, HIGH iso and a shutterspeed that doesn´t invite motion blur so I would say the 50mm lens is the only one you can use.
Of course, the ideal setup would be to light it with a monolight and put a gel filter on the light to match the WB of the candle to the light coming from the monolight but I suppose you could put a gel filter on the flash if you can have it off camera... |
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11/17/2006 03:56:52 PM · #4 |
Hmmm, putting myself in your shoes, I'd try to avoid using flash for sure. How many chances do you have to make the shot? Hopefully more than one! It would be kind neat to see what kind of effect a slower shutter speed would make if you can get the 3-year-old hold still while blowing out the candle. HAHAHHAA! Good luck with that! Maybe try some tungsten lighting from the side or slightly behind? Do some experiements before you do the shoot.
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11/17/2006 03:59:01 PM · #5 |
You're gonna want to go for a longish shutter speed to allow the candle light to shine a bit.
You can set your aperture as usual for the flash exposure and then turn the shutter speed to to say 1/30 for example. You're probably gonna want to be on a tripod for this.
I have a few nudes here: Warning nude images that use flash, plus candle light.
You're going to have to go manual for this.
Two things to remember about flash photography:
1. Shutter Speed controls the amount of ambient lighting that is allowed in the the shot.
2. Aperture controls the amount of flash that is allowed into the shot.
You're going to have to find the balance of the two that works for you. I'm thinking that you are probably going to want to use the flashes at low power so as not to have to use a terribly slow shutter speed.
Message edited by author 2006-11-17 16:02:33.
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11/17/2006 04:17:36 PM · #6 |
thanks for the information......they are coming tomorrow, so maybe tonight after 'camera club meeting' I can practice with myself.
Thanks for pointing me in the right directions!!! |
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11/17/2006 05:35:46 PM · #7 |
Set up a small, gooseneck lamp low and behind the cake/candle to mimic the direction of the candlelight. Have an assistant there to toggle the lamp on and off. Determine the exposure for the candle itself, and then experiment with different durations of gooseneck-toggled-on to provide fill to the face. Do all this, of course, in advance of the actual shoot.
R. |
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11/18/2006 12:49:54 AM · #8 |
ok how bad is this??? testing for tomorrow shoot.
Straight from camera....no lights except the candle
ISO 1600, shutter 1/20, 50mm F1.8
what would you do different (besides a better model)
Bear...couldn't try your method as I don't have an assistant here tonight.. |
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11/18/2006 01:46:23 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Set up a small, gooseneck lamp low and behind the cake/candle to mimic the direction of the candlelight. Have an assistant there to toggle the lamp on and off. Determine the exposure for the candle itself, and then experiment with different durations of gooseneck-toggled-on to provide fill to the face. Do all this, of course, in advance of the actual shoot.
R. |
That's a great idea if you have an extension cord with an inline thumb switch. Thanks Bear! |
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11/18/2006 02:07:13 AM · #10 |
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