SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Fellow UHHers,

Friend asked me to take some photos of her Daughters of the Nile Installation ceremony. Individual photos of her Court and group photos as well.
The room is a small auditorium and is very dark. Dark Brown wood columns on the walls spaced with dreary Beige (dirty) drapes and the lights are high on the ceiling plus they will be dimmed slightly. I need to light the room. The room may be the width of a basketball court and about three-quarters of the length. This would not include the players seated area.

I have two 9-ft. stands with white umbrellas and two SB flash with triggers. I am using a D3200 and have had good luck with for an amateur! Lens probably 18-105.

For the most photo’s will be taken from stage left on the floor where the ladies will be installed. There will be some stage photos from the floor looking slightly up to the quest speakers. The stage is about three-feet high.

My question: Lighting. Where would you set up the flashes and umbrella’s? On the stage pointing towards the installation alter or at the sides of the floor pointed both North & South onto the floor? Or on both sides pointed at the floor at an angle? Or, are they even necessary? I am allowed into the room to “test” if necessary pre-date.

Camera: WB setting (?) and use Aperture priority with SB700.

Comment: I attended a friend’s wedding some years back and the photographer had a stand that raised to at least 12 ft. He had a single flash on it as well as the flash on his camera. This one stand and flash lit up the room. I’m thinking something like this for the auditorium?

What is your recommendations for the lighting?

Thanks, in advance for your comments and I hope I am asking the right questions.
Dave

I have included a photo showing a small example of the room

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Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Did a somewhat similar job a few years ago - I set up 4 umbrellas at different locations in the room, and used the on camera flash at -3 EV for fill and eye catchlights when I shot a closeup portrait. I used a low power setting - either 1/4 or 1/8 power on the umbrella speedlights, manual lights, shot raw and adjusted white balance in post processing. I did a couple of test shots to determine an exposure that would work for most areas in the room, and used manual exposure setting, adjusting along the way. In the first shot you can see a reflection of the umbrella in the window.

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SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Gene51,
Thanks for the reply and the photo examples too!!
Were the umbrellas in the four corners of the room?
What distance were you from the average persons?
It appears that you were using the umbrella to shoot through rather than bounce?

Gene, that's again for your information!
Dave

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Go to www.theslantedlens.com . Jay P Morgan has numerous videos on YouTube re lighting for your application.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Some good info there!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I was using what I had at the time - 2 shoot through and 2- 60" bounce. I can't recall the specifics - this was over 6 yrs ago. But I think I might have placed the lights in three corners, and the other along a long wall. The shoot throughs worked out better than I had envisioned - the primary light came through, but the light reflecting from the inside of the umbrellas made for some nice fill light.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Thanks again Gene51

Dave

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Thanks for the link rgrenaderphoto.

I'll be spending a lot of time reviewing the video's.

I took a quick glance at the article with the dual photos and as they suggested; I clicked on the photo to see more...
but I did not see more. All of the photos were really blurry to me and once I clicked on them I thought they would come out sparkling.
They did not. I'm sure I'll need to read and view more to get the hang of it!

Thanks again for the link!

Dave

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

So far, have not had the time, but it looks interesting.
I like the instructor's speaking and message as it is coming from an expert!

Thanks again.

Dave

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I'm mostly interested in the video shooting tips.
Cheers!

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

I agree. That's me too!
Spending more time with videos rather than articles!
Heck of it is I forget sometimes.
Hell getting old

Dave

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Post results!

Oly Guy

Suggest 2 or 3 points for umbrellas and slave on camera sending signal-manual set up for settings with lowest amount of light needed. Also shoot some shots pre the event to tune things- blurry shots are probably due to slow shutter speed or shooting auto. Use faster shutter speed -the fastest allowed by your camera-or shoot shutter and let the camera pic aperture-once you get it right the settings will be the same generally-and you will not need to change things-probably shoot a lens that is good with lowlight.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

I promise I will!
Thanks Gene51
Dave

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Thanks for the suggestions on the lighting.
I guess with two off camera flash units and umbrella's and the flash on the camera is a ton of light.
Good information, I was thinking of just the two flash set on a lower power.
Brings up another question...do I need the SB700 on the camera with the two other units?

Hand held camera and when you use the fast shutter speed and let aperture take care of itself doesn't this cause blur also?
Someone told me long ago to open the aperture and let the camera decide on the speed??

Thanks again jrbrissell