How do I Photograph Ice Sculptures
Nov 10, 2013 11:46:59 #
I will be in Orlando in December and plan to see the Ice Sculptures at the Gaylord Palms Resort. They are amazing and I want to get some good photos of them but not sure how to do that. There is varying degrees of brightness in the arena and your from 2 to 4 or 5 feet away from the sculptures.Others you can actually touch and interact with. Some are lit while others are not and the temp is a chilly 20 below.
I have both the Canon SX50 and the Canon T3i with either the Tokina 11-16 wide angle lens or the 18-55 kit lens. Which would be better for this type of shooting. Should flash be used or not?
TIA,
zuzanne
I have both the Canon SX50 and the Canon T3i with either the Tokina 11-16 wide angle lens or the 18-55 kit lens. Which would be better for this type of shooting. Should flash be used or not?
TIA,
zuzanne
Nov 11, 2013 05:46:40 #
Ice has the same problems as other reflective surfaces when it comes to glass.
If you are using flash, try off camera from an angle and distance that will limit reflections. Alternately, use a long exposure and tripod, or higher ISO and hand held. A relative shallow depth of field is good as well to isolate the subject. Be aware of where your primary light source is, and work the subject by moving around and changing angles until you get what you like.
If you are using flash, try off camera from an angle and distance that will limit reflections. Alternately, use a long exposure and tripod, or higher ISO and hand held. A relative shallow depth of field is good as well to isolate the subject. Be aware of where your primary light source is, and work the subject by moving around and changing angles until you get what you like.
Nov 11, 2013 08:05:32 #
This type of subject, like glass, needs to see the light. I think your best bet is to use a reflector on the sides while the background is dark.
Nov 11, 2013 09:01:24 #
ZappaMan wrote:
This type of subject, like glass, needs to see the light. I think your best bet is to use a reflector on the sides while the background is dark.
That could work out quite well, possibly yielding a cool halo affect around the sculpture if flash units are fired onto reflectors on each side of the sculpture. If you only have one flash and reflector, you can try using a very long exposure on a tripod, (perhaps using a neutral density filter to lengthen the exposure to 4 - 8 seconds), and quickly hand fire your flash twice, (once on each reflector.) This would also have the advantage of removing distractions if people are walking about by having them ghost away. Worth trying if you want to experiment, (and always experiment it is fun and puts new methods into your artistic quiver.)
Nov 11, 2013 11:23:26 #
If it is like the ice sculptures the Gaylord in Nashville Tenn. my camera stop working about 3/4 of the way through. The sculptures are kept at -30 degrees and the give you a big parka to wear. You might ask if you can go in and warm your camera back up and finish.
Nov 11, 2013 14:01:44 #
sassman3629L
Loc: South Florida
zuzanne wrote:
I will be in Orlando in December and plan to see t... (show quote)
I would surely bring a pair of remote slaves and try different setups along the back and sides of the pieces. Sometimes you can get your light to shoot up from the underside of the sculptues which creates great effects.
Use the camera you are most fond of your results. As both cameras are digital you can shoot test shoots and evaluate the results right on the spot. Not at all like the old days where you would shoot a wedding on Saturday (8 to 10 rolls) and have to wait until Tuesday or so to see if you had anything worthwhile!?? Pressure!!!
Good Luck,
Sonny
Nov 11, 2013 14:33:55 #
tiphareth51
Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska
Keep your camera inside the coat as much as possible to keep battery warm. Shooting in hdr should yield fantastic results.....done it many times...definitely need a tripod. The light source is a concern. In Alaska the sculptures are outside and are colored via light boxs and photograph best at night. Not sure what your setup willow be in Florida.
Nov 11, 2013 21:16:21 #
MTG44 wrote:
If it is like the ice sculptures the Gaylord in Nashville Tenn. my camera stop working about 3/4 of the way through. The sculptures are kept at -30 degrees and the give you a big parka to wear. You might ask if you can go in and warm your camera back up and finish.
buy a pentax slr...they are rugged bastrards.
Nov 11, 2013 21:21:16 #
Thanks everyone for your help. It is like the one at Gaylords in Nashville. They say the temp will be -20 in area where the sculptures are. I won't be able to use tripod or reflectors as the area is not large enough to accommodate them with all the other people going thru the exhibit.
zuzanne
zuzanne
Dec 1, 2013 16:19:49 #
tiphareth51
Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska
The above ice sculpture photo posted by me was photographed by me and as such, I maintain the rights to this photo. If admin determines otherwise, please delete this photo. I will not assign rights to it to anyone. Thank you.
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