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Need Help Handling Banding from Fluorescent Lighting
Jul 3, 2022 10:53:29 #
kymarto wrote:
That might really startle the animals
I have shot animals at a shelter with bounce flash, and it didn't seem to bother them at all. After all, the flash was pointed at the ceiling or a wall, so it isn't directly in their eyes.
Jul 3, 2022 23:17:54 #
kymarto wrote:
That might really startle the animals
Maybe get some really great expresions that way.
Jul 4, 2022 00:13:00 #
This may seem anticlimactic but as others have suggested, don't use fluorescent lighting to photograph animals.
In many offices and other facilities, fluorescent lighting is always somewhat problematic, even with up-to-date ballasts and tubes. Ther can be tubes and fixtures with various levels of repair and maintenance. obes are often replaced with others of different types and colour temperatures. If you need to slow down the shutter speed to accommodate flicker issues, you may lose the ability to freeze movement in active animals.
A couple of simple speedlights can be set up to make excellent shots of animals that are up for adoption. I have been photographic all kinds of pets and domestic animals with flas for many years. This usually never disturbs them and makes for great spontaneous shots.
Good expressive shots of pets up for adoption help enough fols to adopt.
In many offices and other facilities, fluorescent lighting is always somewhat problematic, even with up-to-date ballasts and tubes. Ther can be tubes and fixtures with various levels of repair and maintenance. obes are often replaced with others of different types and colour temperatures. If you need to slow down the shutter speed to accommodate flicker issues, you may lose the ability to freeze movement in active animals.
A couple of simple speedlights can be set up to make excellent shots of animals that are up for adoption. I have been photographic all kinds of pets and domestic animals with flas for many years. This usually never disturbs them and makes for great spontaneous shots.
Good expressive shots of pets up for adoption help enough fols to adopt.
Jul 4, 2022 07:44:50 #
koratcat wrote:
I take photos for my local SPCA. In one of our rooms, the fluorescent lighting has started causing horizontal banding on images (bulbs were recently changed--before the change, I wasn't having the problem). This particular room is the only location available to me. Anyone know how I can eliminate the banding?
The best way is to use a camera that has an anti-flicker feature. The second best way is to use a shutter speed that is longer than 2x the line AC frequency. In the US it is 60 cycles, so you should use a shutter speed longer than 1/120. Shorter shutter speeds would cause the banding and uneven color.
https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/eu/BV_article?articleNo=000042893&configured=1&lang=en_GB
A third way which works very well is to use lighting that will overpower the ambient light, using a speedlight or hot light. In this case you would use a very short shutter speed (1/200 with many Canon cameras, or 1/250 with many Nikons - your camera manual will have the maximum shutter speed sync value), adjusting your ISO and aperture for the lighting.
Jul 4, 2022 13:24:56 #
Quick confession: I figured when I posted this that if I were lucky, I'd get maybe one or two replies. Never expected the number of thoughtful (and extremely helpful) replies you guys have offered! My apologies for underestimating the generosity of my fellow Hedgehoggers, and many thanks to all who've replied--from both me and the "residents" at our little shelter who'll be the real beneficiaries of the knowledge you've shared with me. As E.L. said, good photos do boost adoptions, and all of these furry critters deserve loving homes.
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