Light #3 - Indoors (1)

[RichardTaylor]

Light 3.

Indoors #1

A major problem may be that light levels will be low. If long shutter speeds can be used (static subjects) then it won't be quite so much of a problem. A tripod, with a remote release (or using the self timer), or an image stabilised camera/lens may be all you need.

#1 Hand held with an image stabilised lens. Shot whilst on vacation with available light.



Camera Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 17 mm
ISO Speed 1600 (Maximum
Exposure Bias 0 EV

However if you are hand holding a long lens and/or trying to freeze action then the low light will be a problem. It will mean using high ISO and fast lenses (preferably ones that focus quickly an accurately in low light. Point and shoot cameras and slow kit lenses will be almost useless. Image stabilisation will not freeze action

#2 Hand held, at a concert, with a non image stabilised longish lens. Stage lighting.


Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200) (about the slowest I can hand hold and get consistent results at 135mm)
Aperture f/2.0 (Wide open)
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 3200 (Maximum)
Exposure Bias 0 EV

The other problem may be the lighting itself. For a lot of locations it will be utilitarian with very little, if any, aesthetic quality. Depending how much control over your shooting position you may just have to live with it.

#3 Shot during a rehearsal for a classical music concert. They lighting was set up for a lecture theatre.



Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/2.0
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 1600

At other times, especially shooting interiors dring the day with external windows, the lighting will be very contrasty. HDR, bracketing and combining different exposures when post pricesing would be the way to go. Some event lighting can be a nigtmare to shoot in.

#4 Hand held. A combination of different processing of a single exposure - not entirely successful. Shot whilst on a walking tour. If I were to revisit this location I would take a tripod.



Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias -1 EV

However sometimes you will find great lighting, as per some of the pics above, especially some stage lighting. All you need to to is be observant and ready to catch it as sometimes it can be very fleeting.

Larger images are on my Flickr photostream.

More to come

Other parts of this series

#1 Introduction
Light #1 - Introduction.

#2 How much? Enough #1.
Light #2 - How much? Enough #1.


Part #4 - Low light outdoors (1)
Light #4 - Low light outdoors #1

Part #5 - High contrast light.
Light #5 - High contrast


#6 Too much light.
Light #6 - Too much light.

#7 Light direction.
Lifgt #7 - Directiuon

#8 Weather
Light #8 - Weather

#9 Time of day.
Light #9 - What time of day to shoot?


Thanks for looking, and feel free to ask questions or comment.

Richard

[ccting]

I can't believe my eyes for pic #1. It is so sharp and beautiful at ISO 1600..

[RichardTaylor]

It has had noise reduction as well as sharpening applied during PPing.

Also you are viewing it at a small size.

[ccting]

I have 4 speedlights, and I plan to install a camera bracket so that I have 1 TTL flash for fill light, another 3 for creative lighting if using off-camera lighting is not possible. Is that a good idea?

[RichardTaylor]

Probably.
I have had very little experience with multiple off camera flashes.

You may want to have a look at the book by Joe McNally - lots of good advivce..
"The Hot Shoe Diaries"

[mlturi]

I do most (but not quite all) of the photography and videography for our church's web site. Another fellow maintains the web site, including the photos, videos, and blog.

We use only oil lamps and candles for illumination, which gives a wonderful aura to everything, but presents enormous challenges for photography as the people are continually in motion and many of the services are at night.

I have a Canon 7D and usually I shoot with my Canon 17-55mm F2.8 IS USM lens, but am still forced to use high ISO.

Here is a link to recent photos from this past Christmas. St Elias Christmas Jan 6-7 2012 - a set on Flickr
and some from Easter weekend
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=c09e1...A0A3E39B%21304
https://cid-c09e1349a0a3e39b.skydriv...49A0A3E39B!232

[RichardTaylor]

@ mlturi

Thanks for the post.
I see what you mean about the light.
It is a very good series.

[ccting]

Dear Richard,

How do you find the lighting ?

Equipment: Kodak EasyShare point and shot camera, built-in camera blocked with tick tissue, while holding YN560 on the other hand.

Indoor: Small hotel room, low-light.

Image 1


Image 2


Image 3: 30 degree wall bounce back


Image 4: split-lighting

[ccting]

Image 5


Image 6


All pictures were taken using Kodak EasyShare CX7530 (distorted viewfinder, about 50%!), bought by my wife in 2003, around USD150. I find it much better than my D5100 especially during low-light situation as it can shoot immediately without focusing problem. I believe I will never able to take pictures using D5100 while holding 1 speedlight with another hand..

[RichardTaylor]

Nice set of family memories.

Re the lighting.
It's allowed you to photograph in a location where the available light, with the camera you are using, wouldn't get you anything usable at all.

I have very little experience in using flash.
I do think this is a good example of how it could be done.

Opinions on Strobist set up for baby shoot?