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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> shooting into a light?
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01/20/2005 06:56:04 PM · #1
I'd like to take some head on shots of my motorcycle, with the head lights on. I may or may not have a person on it as well. It will not be moving, and I'll be pretty close to the lights, probably around 10 feet is the farthest away I can easily get for the time being.

What kind of settings should I start with to try and not have the headlight completely dominate the shot?
Thanks!
01/20/2005 07:36:28 PM · #2
Lots of options...

A longish exposure, and turn off the headlight part way through. Experimentation needed.

Use studio strobes / flashes to overcome the contrast of the headlight.

Take two shots, using a tripod. One with person and bike, headlight off, and the second with headlight on exposed for as much flare/glare as you want.. Also a third long exposure and blink both indicators a couple of times would be neat, to get 'all' the lights going.. Merge them together in PS/Gimp/Software of choice.

Take the photo outside, in bright sunlight and hope there's enough sun to overcome the light.

Dim the headlight, by running it on a lower voltage (electrical knowledge needed).

Have the bike 'off axis' from the camera, so the light isn't pointing straight down the lens, in combination with any of the above.

Long exposure and 'mask' the headlight part way through with a bit of card/sack/wood/hands...

Leave the bike's headlight running until the light is dim enough to get the shot without any of the above, although you'll want a battery charger handy, cause if you leave the battery flat it wont like it too much..

Hope one of those is helpful. :-).

Cheers, Chris H.
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