Photo Shoot in Hospital ER, lens? lights? help?

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

03/19/2010 12:35:48 AM · #1

Hey guys,

OK, so I have been asked to take pictures at a hospital during a mass casualty drill/exercise in June. That gives me plenty of time to figure out what to do...(I hope). This is a whole new arena for me and my first real "gig" so to speak.

I will be shooting outside and inside, but mainly inside an ER and other hospital areas. The lighting is the industrial fluorescent shop warehouse type lights. Not conducive to good pictures. No posed pictures here, just documenting the bloody patients, the set up, and the action of everything. I'm thinking more photo-journalistic, as if it were a real event. I really want to do a good job. The photos will be used for training and maybe for marketing for other events (if I do a good job).

So, here are my questions (but please, also tell me the ones I don't even know enough to ask). I will be using my Canon.

~ What lens do I need to get?
~ What flash do I need? (I will be moving around a lot!)
~ Best way to deal with the fluorescent lighting?
~ Best resources to read up on this type of photography?

Thank you all so much for you help!!!

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/19/2010 12:46:52 AM · #2

I work in a hospital, so it's a bummer I wasn't in the ED for our mass casualty drill to give you a heads up on this one...
Having said that, determine what gel you will need for your flash. See if the the lighting is actually consistent temperature wise in the areas where you'll be (check to see if it's all the same lighting or if some areas have different sources too, like windows and stuff), and if it varies, be prepared with the proper gels.
For lens... it will depend how cramped the hallways/rooms are, but I think a 17-35 2.8 would be stellar for this. Getting closer is going to make things look a lot more dynamic, but you also don't want to get in the way...
For ideas on how to shoot... I would suggest you watch some episodes of the television show ER for some ideas on the angle you want to be at and everything. You're going for impact and that was half of what the show was about. Know the layout of the hospital, where you can/cannot be.

Message edited by author 2010-03-19 01:19:12.

amathiasphoto

Nikon D300

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Nikon

03/19/2010 12:57:40 AM · #3

WriteHeart,

Oh, hospitals are always interesting to shoot in. I have been in and out of several for shoots- some for marketing, some shoots for newspapers, etc.

I'll answer your questions first, while I am thinking of anything else I can offer you-

What lenses?
At least get yourself a 50mm 1.4 or 1.8. The dimmer lights are killer, and shooting so open will help alot. If you have the funds, spend a little more and get a wide angle 2.8 zoom. I dont think I used anything longer than 70mm almost ever. My two lenses of choice last shoot were my 18-50 2.8 and my 15mm 2.8. Go fast with your lenses. The faster the better.

Flash?
Cant help you much with canon. Last shoot I did, I used an sb800 for nikon, but used it SO sparingly, and cranked up my ISO instead. Hospitals use a pretty good florescent light actually, better than most places I think, as they need to be able to really see what is going on. See if you cant get there ahead of time, and test it out a bit.

Best way to deal with florescent?
There are suggestions to this all over the net. Play with your white balance.

Best resources?
Joe McNally is my hero for photojournalism. He has two books out. Dont bother with "The moment it clicks", but his "the hot shoe diaries" is stellar. His blog, and the strobist (david hobby) blog is great.

As far as best advice-
They want you to shoot it, and you know your camera. Therefore, you have every reason to be confident in yourself. Listen to and trust your instincts instead of second guessing yourself every step of the way. Shoot as if you didnt have post processing to back you up, but know that it is your safety net. Take TONS of pictures. When you think you have enough, take TONS more.

Have fun, and good luck

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/19/2010 02:48:38 AM · #4

re white balance:

Florescent light has a horrible green tint to it so you will probably need to adjust your wb towards the magenta a litte to even it out- the amount of adjustment depends on when you take the picture during the flickering of the lights (we can't see it with the naked eye but cameras pick it up). The WB will probs be around 2700-3500K or so.

RamblinR

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

03/19/2010 03:27:56 AM · #5

You've got the 40d which has 3 presets available for you.

I would work out a preset for inside (fluro white balance, f stop for inside etc) and outside (whatever white balance and f stop would most likely be needed out there then you know you will be able to just flick to C1 and C2 to be ready for indoor and outdoor.

You've probably already thought about this though.

Message edited by author 2010-03-19 03:28:09.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/19/2010 06:48:16 AM · #6

Originally posted by RamblinR:

You've probably already thought about this though.

Actually, no. I don't know my camera that well at all. I received it last summer, but got a job shortly after so I haven't even sat down to really learn it yet. I've only gone shooting about 4-5 times since I got it. In fact, up until a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't touched it for about 6 months.

I am going on vacation this week, so I plan to learn everything I can about the camera!!! I had completely forgot about the presets.

I definitely feel like someone gave me a high performance car and I am used to riding a big wheel.

Well, here's to a crash course in all things canon, photography related, lighting, lenses, so on and so forth...I feel like I am starting at the very beginning, so PLEASE...keep the comments coming, this is so helpful!!!! Thank you all so much!!!!

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/19/2010 08:53:21 AM · #7

Well, if you're that unfamiliar with the camera, if you're that out of practice, I'd suggest you do all this stuff re: trying to nail the wb (which is hard) but also actually shoot in RAW + JPG; then you have the RAW files to rescue any shots that are way off-track wb-wise. So your first order of business is a really big, fast CF card or two :-)

There should be plenty of light to work with in there, flash ought not be needed. You have one on your camera anyway that will work in a pinch; this being photodocumentary work, the direct-flash look won't be that out of place. Your 40D is a decent high-ISO performer, so don't be afraid to shoot at ISO 800 or even 1600 if you have to.

R.

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

03/19/2010 12:21:43 PM · #8

What's the chance of you being able to go the the ED days earlier and get some practice shots in? Even with empty rooms and a model, you can get a feel for how the shots will work.

cryan

Nikon D700

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

03/19/2010 12:31:46 PM · #9

If your going to be shooting in and outdoors and don't use a flash the best idea is to get a white balance filter and use your cameras custom WB. The filter will nail it for you, just look up WB filters on B&H or Adorama.

After looking at your lenses, get some fast glass as well. This will help with not only being able to control noise due to not having to shoot at extreme ISO's but will be sharper and offer more flexability.

Message edited by author 2010-03-19 12:34:03.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/19/2010 05:55:55 PM · #10

don't bother getting a Wb filter... it's just added money. You could do the same job with a folded piece of paper. It's white, so will reflect the color accurately and you can get a reading from that.

I've used a white sock in a similar method.

Just shoot RAW so you can fix WB later. If it fix it on 1 image, you can apply the settings to all the others in your conversion program.

RamblinR

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

03/19/2010 06:30:03 PM · #11

If you're using the 40d for this I don't know that the 28-135 will be wide enough for indoor work. Doubt that there would be a lot of room to move back in an ER.

03/20/2010 12:13:11 AM · #12

Originally posted by NathanWert:

What's the chance of you being able to go the the ED days earlier and get some practice shots in? Even with empty rooms and a model, you can get a feel for how the shots will work.

Yes, I think I will be able to get into the ER before the actual shoot. I will definitely start to work on that now.

03/20/2010 12:15:34 AM · #13

Originally posted by RamblinR:

If you're using the 40d for this I don't know that the 28-135 will be wide enough for indoor work. Doubt that there would be a lot of room to move back in an ER.

So true! It's an older ER so not as roomy as the newer ones. I am looking at buying a new lens. Since I have time, and was just transferred to a full-time position at work, I will be able to save up for a decent lens for this shoot.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

03/20/2010 12:21:24 AM · #14

Thank you all for your input!!!!

It's great to hear I won't need a flash, now I can put that money towards a better lens.

The ER is the old place I worked that I am transferring out of, but I think I will still be covering a couple of shifts so I hope they will let me practice when I am there. The person setting up the event is not the same person in charge of the ER, so I will have to ask very nice during the pre-event practice days.

You have giving me some great things to think about and research to follow up on.

Again, thank you so much!!!!!

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/20/2010 04:06:52 PM · #15

I would seriously urge you to make the determination of Flash/No Flash BASED ON ACTUAL TEST PHOTOS. None of us have seen the ED you're speaking of. Not all facilities have tons of lights. Before you decide you don't need a flash, see what sort of ISO is required in person. That will determine it, not our "well you SHOULD be able to get by without flash." Since you have time to check things out, why even risk assumptions?