It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapolis. It’s two parallel walls of very dark metal, with a sculpted image of each man, same color as the walls, reaching out to each other but their hands don’t touch. Here’s the issue: the walls run north/south, so no chance for dramatic sunrise or sunset light. More to the point, when the light hits one figure, the other is backlit. I’m assuming I’ll need some fill flash, right? And what about timing? Would this be a situation where a noontime sun would be advantageous because of lack of shadows? What time of day would you suggest as a starting point?
Thanks so much!
Ben
I'd probably shoot it from a low angle but from the wall from which one of them is extracting himself. I'd probably shoot through the area left by the arm, such that I could get both of them in the photograph. I would definitely shoot from far away enough to let the viewer see the outline of the arm through which I was framing the scene. I hope this made sense.
--Bob
Rab-Eye wrote:
It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapolis. It’s two parallel walls of very dark metal, with a sculpted image of each man, same color as the walls, reaching out to each other but their hands don’t touch. Here’s the issue: the walls run north/south, so no chance for dramatic sunrise or sunset light. More to the point, when the light hits one figure, the other is backlit. I’m assuming I’ll need some fill flash, right? And what about timing? Would this be a situation where a noontime sun would be advantageous because of lack of shadows? What time of day would you suggest as a starting point?
Thanks so much!
Ben
It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapoli... (
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Rab-Eye wrote:
It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapolis. It’s two parallel walls of very dark metal, with a sculpted image of each man, same color as the walls, reaching out to each other but their hands don’t touch. Here’s the issue: the walls run north/south, so no chance for dramatic sunrise or sunset light. More to the point, when the light hits one figure, the other is backlit. I’m assuming I’ll need some fill flash, right? And what about timing? Would this be a situation where a noontime sun would be advantageous because of lack of shadows? What time of day would you suggest as a starting point?
Thanks so much!
Ben
It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapoli... (
show quote)
Please post a picture for more accurate assistance.
MT Shooter wrote:
Please post a picture for more accurate assistance.
Is it permitted to post a picture from the web?
Rab-Eye wrote:
Is it permitted to post a picture from the web?
Sure it is, just not if you are claiming it as your own is all.
Yup, that's the one I saw when I did a search for the monument by the name you provided. All of the photos I saw were from similar viewpoints as this one in the link. That is why I suggested a through the wall shot, but make sure you include enough of the arm cutout to identify the memorial.
It will probably be a view upward, 3/4 from the rear of one of the subjects and 3/4 front view of the other. I didn't see any photos shot from that vantage point.
--Bob
rmalarz wrote:
Yup, that's the one I saw when I did a search for the monument by the name you provided. All of the photos I saw were from similar viewpoints as this one in the link. That is why I suggested a through the wall shot, but make sure you include enough of the arm cutout to identify the memorial.
It will probably be a view upward, 3/4 from the rear of one of the subjects and 3/4 front view of the other. I didn't see any photos shot from that vantage point.
--Bob
Bob, do you see time of day/position of the sun as significant in the shot, given that the walls run north/south? Your idea is fantastic!
Ben, considering the orientation of the monument, I'd say late morning or mid afternoon. I'd prefer some sunlight to illuminate the surfaces facing one another. However, I'd stay away from the "around noon time" time frame. It certainly is going to be touchy, as this can produce some distracting shadows. I'd probably want the light hitting the wall facing me, through the arm hole. More than likely, I'd want to pick the arm hole which allows me to face more north.
--Bob
Rab-Eye wrote:
Bob, do you see time of day/position of the sun as significant in the shot, given that the walls run north/south? Your idea is fantastic!
Yes that would be a tough one due to the directly opposing walls and their orientation. I would think it would be a very good HDR candidate and might try to get a higher vantage point, though they may frown on carrying a ladder with you.
MT Shooter wrote:
Yes that would be a tough one due to the directly opposing walls and their orientation. I would think it would be a very good HDR candidate and might try to get a higher vantage point, though they may frown on carrying a ladder with you.
Good idea. Thank you. It is an open park, so there would be no issue with carrying a ladder in.
Rab-Eye wrote:
It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapolis. It’s two parallel walls of very dark metal, with a sculpted image of each man, same color as the walls, reaching out to each other but their hands don’t touch. Here’s the issue: the walls run north/south, so no chance for dramatic sunrise or sunset light. More to the point, when the light hits one figure, the other is backlit. I’m assuming I’ll need some fill flash, right? And what about timing? Would this be a situation where a noontime sun would be advantageous because of lack of shadows? What time of day would you suggest as a starting point?
Thanks so much!
Ben
It’s the RFK/MLK Memorial in a park in Indianapoli... (
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I think there are several options for shooting this monument, some of which have already been mentioned.
From looking on photos on-line it looks to me like if you shoot from the MLK side of the monument there are trees in the background. If you shoot from the RFK side there are a building and a light pole in the background.
So if you are going to shoot from a normal angle I would shoot from the MLK end. Shooting through the hole under one of the arms also looks like an option, as does shooting from a ladder.
The other option that might be different is to lay down beneath the monument.
One other thought. I tend to shoot that kind of monument at night rather than in daylight as it gets rid of distracting backgrounds and allows me more control over the light.
btbg wrote:
I think there are several options for shooting this monument, some of which have already been mentioned.
From looking on photos on-line it looks to me like if you shoot from the MLK side of the monument there are trees in the background. If you shoot from the RFK side there are a building and a light pole in the background.
So if you are going to shoot from a normal angle I would shoot from the MLK end. Shooting through the hole under one of the arms also looks like an option, as does shooting from a ladder.
The other option that might be different is to lay down beneath the monument.
One other thought. I tend to shoot that kind of monument at night rather than in daylight as it gets rid of distracting backgrounds and allows me more control over the light.
I think there are several options for shooting thi... (
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Thank you for the great suggestions.
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