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11/26/2009 12:01:32 PM · #1 |
I will be taking shots inside of a classroom soon and was wondering if there are any tips that anyone can give me. Some of the question I have are:
1. Should I change my camera's setting to Florescent every time I am in a room with fluorescent lighting or should I adjust setting in manual to compensate?
2. I will be taking some shots of the entire class and some close-ups of the equipment in some of the labs. Any techniques I should be thinking about before going?
I am new to all this so please feel free to give any advise no matter how simple it may be.
Thanks
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11/26/2009 12:39:51 PM · #2 |
i typically switch between AWB and fluorescent.
as far as techniques, the main thing is to not shoot everything at your eye-level. avoid shooting down onto the top of kid's heads, unless you're shooting a really high-perspective shot. look for creative ways to frame individuals (use shallow DOF). try to incorporate their desktops in the images. look for moments when teachers/instructors are working closely with individual students, or when a teacher is surrounded by students.
have fun! |
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11/26/2009 12:42:59 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Skip:
i typically switch between AWB and fluorescent. |
Or shoot RAW, and set the WB in conversion, the safest course if workflow permits.
R. |
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11/26/2009 02:15:00 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by Skip:
i typically switch between AWB and fluorescent. |
Or shoot RAW, and set the WB in conversion, the safest course if workflow permits. |
absolutely! the operative phrase is "if workflow permits." while i can completely appreciate shooting RAW, i hardly ever find myself in situations that allow the extra overhead, either in terms of time or compensation above the norm. |
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11/26/2009 07:49:45 PM · #5 |
When I've done classroom shooting, it's usually a mix of fluorescent, window, and bounced flash light, which the camera simply cannot combine with the automatic modes. I found that the easiest way was to throw a piece of notebook paper on a table in the middle of the room, and use it to set a custom WB. That always worked well for me.
I'd definitely suggest using a camera-mounted flash, bounced off the ceiling. It will help throw light into shadow areas, and give some pop - especially to equipment. A fast lens with narrow DOF will also look good.
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11/26/2009 08:40:09 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
When I've done classroom shooting, it's usually a mix of fluorescent, window, and bounced flash light, which the camera simply cannot combine with the automatic modes. I found that the easiest way was to throw a piece of notebook paper on a table in the middle of the room, and use it to set a custom WB. That always worked well for me.
I'd definitely suggest using a camera-mounted flash, bounced off the ceiling. It will help throw light into shadow areas, and give some pop - especially to equipment. A fast lens with narrow DOF will also look good. |
Awesome info guys.
Regarding the post's above it will be a classroom at night and no students will be there. It's at a University and a friend wanted me to get shot's of the classroom's and lab work spaces. Possibly to go along with some of her work. I'm going to try to find some interesting shot's for her instead of the mediocre shots that others use in there projects.
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11/27/2009 12:19:29 PM · #7 |
| +1 for the setting of a custom WB. The difference between AWB and a custom WB for a shot such as this can be quite dramatic. Especially if it's a typical classroom with the usual institutional paint job. If you're not going to shoot RAW then you really should shoot with a custom WB - takes only seconds to do with a sheet of white paper, as mentioned previously. You don't need any fancy kit - in fact I generally use the lid of a margarine tub! |
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11/27/2009 02:08:32 PM · #8 |
No one mentioned throwing a green gel on your flash so allow me to suggest trying that under florescents. Also try diffusing and bouncing - and if you have an sb800 or sb600, try using it remotely if you like (since it sounds like you might not have a tight deadline, you could play with creative lighting).
I would also suggest using RAW unless you're going to be shooting a huge quantity and are concerned about disk space. RAW is really good for situations that are new to you, IMO, and can save you if all of the sudden you are unknowingly in the light an incandescent, God-forbid :P |
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11/28/2009 04:53:19 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by SEG:
Regarding the post's above it will be a classroom at night and no students will be there. It's at a University and a friend wanted me to get shot's of the classroom's and lab work spaces. Possibly to go along with some of her work. I'm going to try to find some interesting shot's for her instead of the mediocre shots that others use in there projects. |
given this, if you have the tools to handle the post-processing, definitely shoot RAW. as for lighting, all you probably really need is a tripod. it also sounds like you would have some time to experiment. this could be a great opportunity to try a bunch of things and learn a lot. definitely something to have fun with! |
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