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03/21/2008 12:43:22 PM · #1 |
I might visit Luray Caverns this Sunday, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips/tricks for getting good photographs in caverns and caves.
Luray does allow the use of flash - I would be taking along a 580ex speedlite. I can't say I'm a real expert at this point in time in using my flash - so in any feedback, assume extreme newbie-ness on my part. :)
Anything I need to know? Best lens length, f-stop, other settings?
Thanks, everyone. :) - Karen
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03/21/2008 02:08:07 PM · #2 |
just use the ettl setting on the flash. Use any lens, focal length, f stop you want, the ettl will meter accordingly.
BOUNCE, BOUNCE, BOUNCE. Bounce the flash off something, ceiling walls etc... Direct flash is harsh and produces shadows. Bounce creates a softer light that looks more like it was shot w/ natural light rather than flash.
The size and shape of the cavern will determine a lot. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, if its real dark, it will be tough to autofocus. |
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03/21/2008 03:25:53 PM · #3 |
Luray is pretty well lit, and the cavern walls and cave features there seem to be a little shinier than other caverns (such as Skyline up the road) so they reflect the light better. The spaces are more wide open and the ceilings higher, though, so you'll have more difficulty lighting the larger rooms. Study your flash manual and learn about reducing the flash EV so that you can reduce flash intensity for closer up shots/features and increase it for shots in larger areas.
You won't want to be switching lenses too much down there, and you won't have much use for a longer telephoto anyway, so your 28-135 would be a good range, although in certain places the wider angle of your 17-40 might come in handy. Leave the polarizer off since it will cut down light and also because you want the reflections off the water features. |
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03/21/2008 03:36:56 PM · #4 |
| all good sound advice, thanks! |
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03/21/2008 03:40:10 PM · #5 |
are you taking pictures of the caves or people in the caves? If you are just taking caves shots, I'd recommend a tripod and just using ambient light. Flash, to me, makes caves look really bad. You can also try painting with a flashlight if you wanted. that could produce some good effects.
 
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03/21/2008 04:14:28 PM · #6 |
| I imagine the environment will be a bit touristy, and full of people ambling along, but I'll bring enough stuff with me so I'll have a choice depending on what environment I end up in. Certainly if I can get a good chance to take some tripod shots, I'll give it a go. Just got some Rosco gels too, that I could use on a flash - I wonder what that would do for the images? |
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03/21/2008 05:11:08 PM · #7 |
I was in carlsbad caverns and I saw a photographer using his flash off camera. He had the camera on a tripod, set to a time exposure and then he'd walk closer to (or farther from) a feature he wanted to show off and pointed the flash towards it and pushed the button. So he got some long exposure ambient light (from the 'tourist' lights) and then his featured item that he flashed from the angle of his choice. Works our neat. I've done it too but not in a cave.
Message edited by author 2008-03-21 17:11:43. |
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03/21/2008 05:22:25 PM · #8 |
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