Advice Needed Please.

The23rdman

The23rdman

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Name
Dean
Edit My Images
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I've been asked to do some shots for a friend for their website. They run a gym and pilates studio and I've made it clear I don't have any experience at this kind of thing (I've never even used a flash gun!) so they shouldn't particularly expect anything brilliant (although I might get lucky ;)). They're cool with that and so am I as it'll be great experience.

So, what do I need to know? does it make sense to pop down and check the place out first so I know what I'll be working with? They're looking for some shots of the studio and some of the trainers with clients.

Will my nifty fifty be up to the job or will I need to borrow something faster and better? I'm probably going to have to borrow a flash gun as well. What do I need to know?

I shoot in RAW and don't mind spending time working on shots afterwards to bring them up to scratch, but it'd be nice to get it reasonably correct.

Many thanks,
Dean
 
To avoid getting harsh shadows you'll need to bounce the flash off the ceiling or a wall to diffuse the light.

If you are taking photos of the entire gym then a single flash isn't going to light it sufficiently however most gyms are very well lit so with a tripod and a slightly lower shutter speed you may be able to get away without using flash and end up with more even lighting.
 
-Rob- said:
To avoid getting harsh shadows you'll need to bounce the flash off the ceiling or a wall to diffuse the light.

If you are taking photos of the entire gym then a single flash isn't going to light it sufficiently however most gyms are very well lit so with a tripod and a slightly lower shutter speed you may be able to get away without using flash and end up with more even lighting.
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Thanks, Rob. Yes, the gym is well lit so I think I'll be fine there. I was wondering if I'll need a wider range lens than I have to take proper interior shots?
 
-Rob- said:
18mm should be sufficient to take an interior of a gym. I don't think you'll need to get the whole room in 1 shot, several shots should do it so you'll be able to get enough in at 18mm.
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Forgot to add the siggy 18-50 is knackered after being dropped and struggles to focus at 18mm. It's only in effect a 20-50.

Steve Smith said:
It's probably well lit with fluorescent lighting so if you are using a flash as well you will need to put a correction gel on it to give it the same colour then use the fluorescent white balance setting (or do a custom white balance).

This describes it better than I can: http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-using-gels-to-correct.html


Steve.
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Is it possible instead to just correct the white balance in Lightroom as I'm shooting in RAW? I think this is the problem with the original shots they had done where they came out with an orange tinge.
 
Actually, I've had a look and they're dirt cheap so no problem there really.
 
The23rdman said:
Is it possible instead to just correct the white balance in Lightroom as I'm shooting in RAW? I think this is the problem with the original shots they had done where they came out with an orange tinge.
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No because with mixed lighting, if you correct for one source, the other will be incorrect. If you are using fill flash then the subject (lit with the flash) will have a different colour temperature than the rest of the scene (lit only with fluorescent).


Steve.
 
Thanks Steve. Once I'd read that article you posted I understood that. Note to self: read the information posted before asking more questions. ;)
 
i think if it was me, i would go and do the empty studio shots and take a friend and just had a go at a few different styles and lighting, when your not holding up employees and business. Then go home and review your work, sleep on it think of ideas and go back to do the rest or start all over again.

If they are a friend and want your skills for cheap or free then letting you practice when areas arent in use should not be a problem to them.

Dont foget that if your just trying to remove harsh shadows in well lit area, reflectors can be much easier to master than flash setups. (easy to make too!)
 
fezzr said:
Dont foget that if your just trying to remove harsh shadows in well lit area, reflectors can be much easier to master than flash setups. (easy to make too!)
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And you could also try some HDR shots.
 
fezzr said:
i think if it was me, i would go and do the empty studio shots and take a friend and just had a go at a few different styles and lighting, when your not holding up employees and business. Then go home and review your work, sleep on it think of ideas and go back to do the rest or start all over again.

If they are a friend and want your skills for cheap or free then letting you practice when areas arent in use should not be a problem to them.

Dont foget that if your just trying to remove harsh shadows in well lit area, reflectors can be much easier to master than flash setups. (easy to make too!)
Click to expand...

Good advice, thank you.

Chaz Photos said:
well lit but with what lights?
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flouros more than likely. I'll find out.

petersmart said:
And you could also try some HDR shots.
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That's a good idea. They're open to some arty shots so subtle HDR might work well.
 
This is the site with what they have so far. They complaining about an orange tinge (not that I can see it). What would be causing this?
 
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