 Margie Hurwich |
How to Shoot Candles I am trying to take some shots of a lit candle. However, when I look at the final outcome, there is a halo around the flame. What can I do to ensure that I don't get the halo? Faster shutter speed?
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robert G. Fately |
Margie, I don't think the shutter speed will affect the halo you describe. I believe (and others may correct me) that the halo is related to the high contrast of the dark surroundings and the bright flame and the lens itself. Perhaps the atmospheric humidity causes a microscopic amount of coating on the lens which makes the halo appear (think of driving at night when the windshield is foggy, before the defroster kicks in - oncoming headlights have that same halo effect). Perhaps increasing the distance from the camera to the candle would help - step back and take the shot and then enlarge the image to get the final print identical with the ones you've got. Failing that, maybe getting into a very dry environment, to eliminate humidity around the flame and on the lens as much as possible.
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Jill Lenkowski |
Margie, If you have a lighting kit you can angle them to a white ceiling meter those lights and then meter the candles. Use the f-stop of the lighting kit and the shutter speed from the candles (it will be small), turn the lights off (have them in sync), set your camera and take the picture. This will allow you to "burn" the candle light in. Best Wishes, Jill
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- Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Contact Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Shirley D. Cross-Taylor's Gallery |
It could also be possible that you have a filter attached to the front of your lens which is causing a flare, thus your 'halo'.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Candle flames flicker, and they aren't very bright for taking pictures, so moving light sources with a long exposure added to it's an omni directional light, it's bound to leave some kind of halo. A bare bulb in a lamb makes a little bit of a halo too. Do what the first guy said.
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
Only if the lamb has been recently sheared....otherwise probably couldn't see the light thru the wool....:-)
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
A lamb ain't wooly in all places.
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Banny C. Catolico |
i think Gregory has a point there. I shot a lot of this kind of photo but I din't get across this problem. may on your camera setting (specially digital camera auto programs).
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Margie Hurwich |
Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I am going to try all of these suggestions, just to see what works best. I'll keep you posted what works.
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Margie Hurwich |
OK...been a while since I asked this question...but I have been playing with all of these suggestions for some time. The final test was when I got a more telephoto lens. I was able to step back from the candle, thus reducing the halo effect. Thanks to everyone.
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Pete H |
Nice gallery Margie. :)
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Margie Hurwich |
Thanks, Pete!
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