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How photograph lighted fountain?
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Feb 27, 2013 15:15:25   #
Kenny Loc: Oregon
 
At the entrance to the local community college there is a fountain that squirts jets of water high into the air. At night they are alighted from beneath and are absolutely beautiful. I would like to photograph them. The problem is that there are many bright lights in the parking lots surrounding the fountain. I walked around and around and can't find a position where the bright lights are not in back of the fountain. Any suggestions you have for eliminating these backlights, which are quite bright, from the picture?

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Feb 27, 2013 15:24:20   #
Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
 
Maybe you can minimize the other lights by shooting at dusk when the colored lights are turned on and the unwanted lights impact will be less.
Otherwise, anyone have a BB gun?
Pat

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Feb 27, 2013 15:28:29   #
Wahawk Loc: NE IA
 
Jay Pat wrote:
Maybe you can minimize the other lights by shooting at dusk when the colored lights are turned on and the unwanted lights impact will be less.
Otherwise, anyone have a BB gun?
Pat


:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

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Feb 27, 2013 16:20:39   #
mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California
 
Kenny wrote:
At the entrance to the local community college there is a fountain that squirts jets of water high into the air. At night they are alighted from beneath and are absolutely beautiful. I would like to photograph them. The problem is that there are many bright lights in the parking lots surrounding the fountain. I walked around and around and can't find a position where the bright lights are not in back of the fountain. Any suggestions you have for eliminating these backlights, which are quite bright, from the picture?
At the entrance to the local community college the... (show quote)


Well, color me simple; but, I would go and talk with the head custodian for the community college. He knows where the on/off switch is for the offending parking lot lights. See if you can't talk yourself into getting him to turn off the lights late some night (after all classes are let out and gone).

If you are all set up and ready to shoot, you should be able to get what you want in the way of images of the lighted fountain in about two minutes, or less. With any luck, the fountain lights and parking lot lights are not on the same circuit (doubtful). If you promise him a nice print of the lighted fountain, I bet you can work something out.

Any way, that is where I would start. If this does not work, you can always expose for the fountain lighting, letting the parking lot lights in the background go blown out overexposure white, with the idea that you can replace the background in PP.

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Feb 27, 2013 16:31:32   #
Kenny Loc: Oregon
 
Jay Pat wrote:
Maybe you can minimize the other lights by shooting at dusk when the colored lights are turned on and the unwanted lights impact will be less.
Otherwise, anyone have a BB gun?
Pat


That is a great suggestion, I will be passing by tomorrow night.

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Feb 27, 2013 16:33:19   #
Kenny Loc: Oregon
 
mooseeyes wrote:
Kenny wrote:
At the entrance to the local community college there is a fountain that squirts jets of water high into the air. At night they are alighted from beneath and are absolutely beautiful. I would like to photograph them. The problem is that there are many bright lights in the parking lots surrounding the fountain. I walked around and around and can't find a position where the bright lights are not in back of the fountain. Any suggestions you have for eliminating these backlights, which are quite bright, from the picture?
At the entrance to the local community college the... (show quote)


Well, color me simple; but, I would go and talk with the head custodian for the community college. He knows where the on/off switch is for the offending parking lot lights. See if you can't talk yourself into getting him to turn off the lights late some night (after all classes are let out and gone).

If you are all set up and ready to shoot, you should be able to get what you want in the way of images of the lighted fountain in about two minutes, or less. With any luck, the fountain lights and parking lot lights are not on the same circuit (doubtful). If you promise him a nice print of the lighted fountain, I bet you can work something out.

Any way, that is where I would start. If this does not work, you can always expose for the fountain lighting, letting the parking lot lights in the background go blown out overexposure white, with the idea that you can replace the background in PP.
quote=Kenny At the entrance to the local communit... (show quote)


I like to idea of talking to the custodian as a first try. Maybe I will offer him a free photo, with him is the picture.

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Feb 27, 2013 16:34:24   #
Kenny Loc: Oregon
 
Jay Pat wrote:
Maybe you can minimize the other lights by shooting at dusk when the colored lights are turned on and the unwanted lights impact will be less.
Otherwise, anyone have a BB gun?
Pat


And yes, I ave a BB gun. I wonder what the fine would be if I get caught?

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Feb 27, 2013 16:42:48   #
Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
 
Kenny wrote:
mooseeyes wrote:
Kenny wrote:
At the entrance to the local community college there is a fountain that squirts jets of water high into the air. At night they are alighted from beneath and are absolutely beautiful. I would like to photograph them. The problem is that there are many bright lights in the parking lots surrounding the fountain. I walked around and around and can't find a position where the bright lights are not in back of the fountain. Any suggestions you have for eliminating these backlights, which are quite bright, from the picture?
At the entrance to the local community college the... (show quote)


Well, color me simple; but, I would go and talk with the head custodian for the community college. He knows where the on/off switch is for the offending parking lot lights. See if you can't talk yourself into getting him to turn off the lights late some night (after all classes are let out and gone).

If you are all set up and ready to shoot, you should be able to get what you want in the way of images of the lighted fountain in about two minutes, or less. With any luck, the fountain lights and parking lot lights are not on the same circuit (doubtful). If you promise him a nice print of the lighted fountain, I bet you can work something out.

Any way, that is where I would start. If this does not work, you can always expose for the fountain lighting, letting the parking lot lights in the background go blown out overexposure white, with the idea that you can replace the background in PP.
quote=Kenny At the entrance to the local communit... (show quote)


I like to idea of talking to the custodian as a first try. Maybe I will offer him a free photo, with him is the picture.
quote=mooseeyes quote=Kenny At the entrance to t... (show quote)


When you talk to him, be sure to bring a smile and a dozen donuts.......

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Feb 27, 2013 16:43:34   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Kenny wrote:
I wonder what the fine would be if I get caught?


Get one of these: http://www.karatedepot.com/wp-ni-90.html

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Feb 27, 2013 17:17:45   #
David Dennis Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida
 
Talking to the custodian is probably the best way to start, but how about trying to shoot them from above, like from the roof of a building, or from a tall ladder you bring (or the custodian provides, should you make friends with him).

D

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Feb 27, 2013 18:51:34   #
Kenny Loc: Oregon
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Kenny wrote:
I wonder what the fine would be if I get caught?


Get one of these: http://www.karatedepot.com/wp-ni-90.html


I wonder if they have these in XX Large for a 75 year old?

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Feb 27, 2013 18:52:52   #
Kenny Loc: Oregon
 
David Dennis wrote:
Talking to the custodian is probably the best way to start, but how about trying to shoot them from above, like from the roof of a building, or from a tall ladder you bring (or the custodian provides, should you make friends with him).

D


George, I like the ladder idea!

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Feb 28, 2013 05:40:10   #
TLCarney Loc: Englewood, Florida
 
If you can find some willing young helpers and dark cloth (blankets or sheets or painting tarps), have you 'crew' hold them up behind the fountain to block the distracting lights. If your crew can position your moveable backdrop far enough from the fountain it will fade to a neutral backgound. Colleges are used to such non-destructive art projects going on around campus. However much you pay the crew in sodas and snacks will be cheaper than bail and attourney fees

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Feb 28, 2013 06:30:56   #
Country's Mama Loc: Michigan
 
Please be sure to post the results of this project.

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Feb 28, 2013 06:36:17   #
djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now
 
OK, the ladder is out. I wouldn't climb the things anymore, either. How about a wide angle lens, and lay flat on your back shooting UP? Just a thought. DJT

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