CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I will be visiting the Lewis and Clark Caverns in Whitehall MT next week and am wondering what the best settings will be for my Nikon d5300 with the 18-55 mm lens? I have never been inside a cave....so this will be an awesome experience and I would like to come out with a few good photo's. I won't be able to take a tripod on the tour and the caves will have lighting (yellowish) from the floor - that's about all I know.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Cindy

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Up the ISO and take a flash. Keep the flash at half power or less. Good luck.

Jack

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks Jack...but dang...I don't have a flash yet. I am just starting out with my first dslr - just got it this past Nov and still in the beginning stages of learning. Would the on board flash be good to use or not?

btbg

Are the caves lit or unlit? In unlit caverns it is possible to light them with flashlights, especially if you don't have a guide and can move around. I light unlit caves with about six little led flashlights and one larger light source. I set the small flashlights turned on on the ground or behind rocks where they shine on items that I want to make sure are lit. Put the camera on a tripod, compose and lock your focus manually, then take a long exposure and wave the larger light back and fourth systematically covering the entire roof of the cave with light. Once you think you have completely covered the roof then close the shutter and check the shot on your lcd screen. Keep in mind that the closer the flashlight beam gets to the camera the less time it need to be shone on the ceiling.

The only really hard part is getting the exposure ration between the larger light source and the smaller lights to match appropriately.

I will try to find an example of this and get back to you tomorrow afternoon, Pacific time zone. I believe that the photos in question are at work and not available at home. If they have lighting and you are allowed to use a tripod then just take longer exposures at the lowest ISO that you can. If they have lights and you can't use a tripod then jack the iso up as high as you can without getting to much noise to be useable.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Call them ask about getting good flashlight for photographing. I have what is called a tactical light. It impressively bright. Has a 110 volt cord rechargeable. If can't find one go to a gunshop.

https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/cave-photography-what-does-it-take-to-get-the-shot/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Cindy, if onboard is all you have, it's better than nothing. Watch if you are using a long lens. The onboard flash will cast a shadow of that lens in the lower portion of the photo. Also, it you are using a lens shade, that could cause the same issue. Otherwise, a rather higher ISO will still be of use. Have fun.
--Bob

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks ....caves will have soft yellowish light on floor and no tripod allowed....so a high ISO is what I will need....should I use Auto ISO? If yes, what should the max be set to?

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Bob, I will be using the 18-55mm kit lens...so it shouldn't cast a shadow...there is a flash adjustment on the camera that I can reduce or increase the brightness of the flash...would it be better at the brightest setting or a lower setting?

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks for the idea....not sure if I can get one before Sunday when we leave. Thanks for the link...I will read that tonight!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Cindy, the setting will depend on the configuration of the cave. If it's a large expansive cave, most likely the highest setting. If the walls of the cave are close to you within view of the camera, a lower setting. In all reality, I'd recommend your Program mode for this. That way the camera will be able to determine the overall exposure, flash+shutter+aperture. That might prove the safest bet.
--Bob

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Make sure they allow flash photography in the cave.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Find out what lighting they will use inside the cave, set for that color temperature, once you are in the cave, set aperture priority and stop lens down two stops from wide open, use ISO and shot at least 1/60 sec.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

It would be easy without a flash if you had an E-M1 mrII. I just read an article where the reviewer was testing the E-M1 mrII in a cave just like you are going to and was showing his handheld 2 to 4 second pictures. But since you don't own one, the suggest will be for the Nikon you have. I agree that you should up the ISO. The pervious suggestion is reasonable without adding too much noise (I would try some settings between 1600 and 6400 and see what you like best). If you buy, rent, or borrow a flash, make sure you can point it back and up. You will be using the celling or back wall as a reflector. It will be much more pleasing than firing the flash straight forward. Also, rather than use a flash, use your husband to brace against, good breathing technique, and good shutter release technique and see if you can get away with some slower shutter speed shots. See if you can get away with a 1/30 of a second. And don't forget to enjoy the cave by looking at it without the viewfinder.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I asked the same question a couple of years ago.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/a-shot-in-the-dark---guide-to-cave-photography-4680
http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/showcave/photo.html
http://digital-photography-school.com/14-tips-for-cave-photography
http://www.weatherfriend.com/travel/txcave/cave_photography.htm
http://museumca.org/caves/onli_photo.html
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/cave-photography-color-gear-and-light-painting-underground-style

cthahn

You are the photographer and have to decide how to take the picture. If you can not take a picture of what you see, then you are not a photographer.