barbkeith
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posted on October 7, 2001 05:34:09 PM new
Hi all, I have a Sony Mavica (obviously or I wouldn't be asking ?'s). What lighting do you find best. I've been taking pics outside but I know as it gets colder I'm not going to want to do that. Last winter, I took them inside at the dining room table but the lighting is not so good there. Anyone got any suggestions (other than buying a new camera)? I'd love to buy a new camera but with bids the way they are there's no way.
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wowwow85
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posted on October 7, 2001 05:42:23 PM new
you need indoor lighting to help you with taking pictures.
if you have a coffee table which can be dedicated to set up a studio with lights and background color,you can experiment with different lights and exposure
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on October 7, 2001 05:58:54 PM new
I have a Sony Mavica FD73. When I take my pics at night, I turn on every single light in the main room (my living room) and in the 1 neighboring room! (Total of 8 lights). I make it as bright as possible, and that's when my pics turn out the best.
Sometimes when I'm able to take my pics during the day, I just use the regular sunlight, as my living room is pretty bright.
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wildanteeker
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posted on October 7, 2001 06:20:19 PM new
Set the EV to +1.5 also that might help and use halogen lighting.
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abacaxi
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posted on October 7, 2001 06:24:39 PM new
Get two small (250W) halogen worklights from the hardware store.
Use them as floodlights.
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revvassago
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posted on October 7, 2001 06:26:44 PM new
I went to my local hardware store, and purchased 3 clip-on shop lamps (total - about $25.00). I then purchased 3 spot lights, with a combined wattage of about 500W. I place them about 4 feet from the item I am photographing, with one to the left, one to the right, and one above. This eliminates the shadows. With this much light, it tends to get very hot, but the quality is very good, close to outdoor light.
Make sure to get 3 lights, as it will cancel out all the shadows.
BTW, I am using a Mavica FD7.
[ edited by revvassago on Oct 7, 2001 06:30 PM ]
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eleanordew
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posted on October 7, 2001 06:30:24 PM new
I have an older model Mavica, and the methods described by wildanteeker and abacaxi work perfectly for me. change that exposure to 1.5+ (you'll have to reset it every time you replace the battery after recharging), and buy some heavy duty halogen lights from the hardware store.
As an added plus, those lights produce a wonderful heat that will feel great in the winter <G>.
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
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goldpanner3
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posted on October 7, 2001 07:04:59 PM new
Yes, those Quartz Halogen Work lights, either on a stand, or get portable ones. But don't start a fire, they get hot up close.
I also recently found at Walmart, a cheap 35 watt halogen desk lamp makes a good light for small up close stuff, nice white light. I think I'll get a couple though for shadows.
good luck
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Eventer
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posted on October 7, 2001 07:29:18 PM new
Something which acts as a great backdrop is the tri-fold boards kids use for school projects (like the science fair). They run around $5 at Staples, Office Max/Depot, etc.
It's great to have something that stands on it's own & if you need a dark background rather than the white, just drape a sheet or towel over it.
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ExecutiveGirl
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posted on October 7, 2001 07:40:27 PM new
With all those halogen lights you use - do you still use a flash or no?
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eleanordew
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posted on October 7, 2001 07:44:03 PM new
No, I don't use a flash with all the lights.
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
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Eventer
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posted on October 7, 2001 07:45:36 PM new
I mounted halogens on some inexpensive camera tripods..makes it easy to raise/lower and tilt them w/o having to get too close to those superheated bulbs. Works wonderfully.
Using plenty of halogen light, I can't recall the last time I even had my flash turned on.
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nanntique
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posted on October 7, 2001 08:41:26 PM new
I use 2 Halogen torchiere standing lamps, both with dimmers on them for ceiling bounch lighting. That way you can use the lamps for regular lighting after your photo sessions. I agree with the +1.5 setting.
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gravid
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posted on October 8, 2001 05:27:32 AM new
I use two big floods but I don't point them at the item I am shooting I point them at a square of cardboard I have covered with crumpled aluminum foil. That reduces the reflections off the surface that are distracting. I also have a 600 watt halogen for home movie cameras and if I have trouble getting enough light for something big I point that up in the corner of the room which is painted white and use the reflected light.
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kgalex
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posted on October 8, 2001 08:15:29 AM new
I agree, set the EV to +1.5. I just make sure I have an even amount of light on either side of my picture taking area to reduce shadow. I have found that jsut regular lamps in my house without the shades work just fine.Taking pictures during daylight hours is usally better though.
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