Tips on settings help please

[den]

Hi, i have a 50d with the cameras flash , i want to shoot something that is off white on a black background indoors,the only light i will have is a energy saver light bulb and a 5x4ft window,i will be using my 1.8 50mm from a distance of around 10-15ft from the subject ,i will be hoping to get as much of the frame in focus as possible , i have a decent tripod , i have a rough idea of the settings but not having shot indoors with a dslr before and not having great light i would appreciate any advice on what i shoukld do about the light set up and a good starting point on my settings .Thanks

 

[Gazamonk]

Where is the energy saver light bulband what output , where is the window light (direction of both in relation to subject), what time of day are you shooting, what is the subject !, you say you want as much of the frame in focus as possible but we need to know what the subject is so we know what depth it holds in the frame etc etc. Much more needed for a reasonable response.

 

[den]

Hi, the bulb is a 100w and is in the middle of the room which is 4x4m ,the window is 5x4ft and i will have my back to the window ,my subject is a plastic doll aprox 2,5 feet my background is some black backing paper ,the stuff the use in schools for displays, i was hoping to take the shot in decent daylight ,the doll is a off white with no colour at all .

 

[Gazamonk]

With good daylight from behind I would forget about the energy saver and dont use the built in flash as you seem to specifically want to retain the off white colour of the doll. I would start with an aperture of around f5.6/f6.3 since for a full height shot you will be in the region of 3m away I guess, then check your DoF and make sure the doll is sharp front to back and adjust as requirted . ISO can be 100 since you are tripod mounted. I would shoot in RAW and post process in Canons DPP software or Photoshop, that way you can fine tune the white balance/colour temperature precisely to match the tone of the doll then save as jpeg when your happy with the results. Apart from that I would maybe experiment with a large white card or reflector off to one side to add some modelling light on some shots to bring out contours an detail on the doll should the direct behind light make it look a little flat.

 

[den]

Much appreciated thanks.