Migraines and studio flash.

[Flashman]

Bit of an unusual one I think...

I've four ladies coming into the studio on Friday for a shoot and one of them has passed a message through the organiser that flash lighting gives her migraines!

Apart from taking most of the shoot outdoors (which I'll probably do anyway under the circumstances), has anyone else come across this and have any experience on how to minimize the problem? ie. is it better with less direct light? Do less powerful light settings make any difference?? Any other tips???

Obviously I'll ask the migrainee herself when she gets here but I'd like to be as prepared as possible in advance.

Why oh why is nothing ever straightforward! <SIGH> :shrug:

 

[Trev Rich]

I suffer from this believe it or not....
It's better when you know the flash is coming... And it should take a few flashes to bring it on.
Less powerfull light wouldn't make that much difference... it's the distraction of the flash.. So make the flash non-distracting but letting her know when you are going to fire.

 

[Vic]

I have epilepsy and while the flash doesnt effect this it does make me very prone to migraines when in the studio. I tend to divert my eyes when im setting up the flash however this really isnt use to yourself.

I dont really know about lower light settings but what about just keeping her out of the studio until all the light is set and perhaps just limit your shooting time with her? :shrug: She'll probably notice it herself when it gets too much and not to be too mean but she could last until after the shoot. But she will probably have to deal with a b****r of a migraine when she gets home.

 

[Davec223]

I do suffer from Migraines and for me it is only strobing lights that effect me ( you know the quick consecutive flashes like in nightclubs) and also florescent(sp) lights due to the flicker rate, I have no problems with studio flash maybe they have got strobe lighting and "strobe light" confussed

 

[Flashman]

Thanks for those replies... very helpful!

I think I'm going to have to adapt my style... do less machine gunning and consider each shot more carefully. They want lots of spontaneous, informal laughing shots though so that's not going to be so easy... I can't really warn them when I'm about to shoot either as it's a bit of a spontaneous moment killer!

Praying for a dry day now so I can do more outside...

 

[arclight]

Bit of an unusual one I think...

I've four ladies coming into the studio on Friday for a shoot and one of them has passed a message through the organiser that flash lighting gives her migraines!

Apart from taking most of the shoot outdoors (which I'll probably do anyway under the circumstances), has anyone else come across this and have any experience on how to minimize the problem? ie. is it better with less direct light? Do less powerful light settings make any difference?? Any other tips???

Obviously I'll ask the migrainee herself when she gets here but I'd like to be as prepared as possible in advance.

Why oh why is nothing ever straightforward! <SIGH> :shrug:

That must relate to warnings given on TV news when reports contain flash photography.

 

[swanseamale47]

That must relate to warnings given on TV news when reports contain flash photography.

Theres a condition called Photosensitive epilepsy, this is a type of epilepsy that flashing lights can affect, sometimes triggering a seizure. It's more common in younger people (usually under 20) and these people can be affected by flashing lights, although it is mostly caused by flashes being fired frequently commonly 3 to about 60 hertz. or several flashes a second.

 

[DiddyDave]

I only had one concerned individual a couple of years back, but my studio (was) well lit with ambient light so it was always bright in there - of course it wasn't bright enough for the ambient to register - and that person had no problems at all

So if anything, it's not the power of the flash lighting it seems, rather than the contrast between ambient & flash that matters; a bit like you hardly notice the flash on a sunny day outside, whereas in the dark at a party it's blinding

DD

 

[Flashman]

I only had one concerned individual a couple of years back, but my studio (was) well lit with ambient light so it was always bright in there - of course it wasn't bright enough for the ambient to register - and that person had no problems at all

So if anything, it's not the power of the flash lighting it seems, rather than the contrast between ambient & flash that matters; a bit like you hardly notice the flash on a sunny day outside, whereas in the dark at a party it's blinding

DD

Sorry Dave, didn't get an email notification of your post for some reason so only just seen it. A good point though... thanks!

Had the shoot this morning/afternoon and it turned out not to be much of a problem. She said it only affected her if the flash directly hit the back of her retina. She said it made the migraine come on pretty much instantly, no warning or build up. Guess it affects different people in different ways. So I took a bit of care not to fire right into her eyes and we got through without any headaches. Did most of it outside anyway... glorious light up here today! Fab shoot, just me and four great ladies who brought Champagne and cream buns with them... lovely!

Thanks for the replies again.

 

[Andy77]

Glad the shoot went well ,have you got any pics to show us keith?

 

[Flashman]

Glad the shoot went well ,have you got any pics to show us keith?

I've got nearly 500! But not sorted/processed and no permission (yet) from the clients to make them public... Sorry!