 Neelam Mughal |
Lighting for Shooting in Bar? Need advice urgently! I have just started serious photography. My studio photos come out great, but my first paid official shoot is going to be in a bar. Therefore minimal lights, neons and spotlights. I'm working with 4 models who will be spread across the bar, all models have to be in full focus, and all the clothes, etc., must be visible as it's a fashion shoot. I've never taken photos other than in my little studio! I'm just a beginner and very young but don't want to lose this amazing opportunity! I'm completely stuck on this shoot. Basically, do I use a flash? If so, what type? Will I need a tripod for the shoot? And how do I set up my lighting? Will I need to use reflectors? And someone mentioned I need a slow shutter speed... ???
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BetterPhoto Member |
Neelam: I have shot in conditions like this many times, and it is very difficult if you do not have lots of light and know how to use them. Here is what I suggest for a quick fix, and it should get you close: First, hopefully you are shooting digital so you can preview the shot and see the effects of the lighting? Go scout the bar ahead of time and find your angle, set up the camera on your tripod, camera on manual, and snap a couple shots with whatever your meter suggests - at least F/8 ... F/11 better. If they are too bright or too dark, adjust your exposure. Record the exposure that looks the way you want. Take you camera OFF Auto White Balance and set on Manual or K. Next, shoot more tests with the exposure you felt was best, but bracket the color balance settings. Or I suggest you set the camera color balance settings to 4000K, 5000K, 6000K, and 7000K. Look at those different color settings on you computer and decide which color balance setting looks best. Go to a pro camera store and rent four monolights with stands, four of the biggest and softest umbrellas you can rent. Tell the camera store you need Color Correction Gels to change the color temperature of the lights to the color settings that looked best on your computer, from the test. The overhead bar lights are your main light, and the strobes are the fill lights. Make the overhead as bright as possible. Now set up two lights on one side of the scene, side by side, put the gels on the lights that the store sold you, set up your camera and dial in the exposure settings that you determined from your test. Have some people stand in so you can test-shoot before the models arrive. If you need the other two lights, set them up and have them ready.
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Neelam Mughal |
Charlie, thank you SO much! I've been pulling my hair out over this and checking my mail every hour! I'm SO grateful you don't know. Thanks again! Neelam P.S I'm still nervous! But I feel a lot better!
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BetterPhoto Member |
Neelam: When you do the shoot, upload a sample for us to see how it went, and I'll gladly give you more suggestions, if you want them. I am currently designing a Lighting course for BetterPhoto to hopefully run in the winter session. I'll let you know in case you are interested.
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Neelam Mughal |
I'd love for you to look at my work and advise me later! That'd be great thanks. And, as for the course, is it an online thing?
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BetterPhoto Member |
Neelam. Yes, it will be online.
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