Learning to work with light

[375ultramag]

New to shooting much interior stuff. Need some ideas for lighting in this hospital to capture the floor. It is linoleum and my friend wants some shots of this. I will be doing it at night as it is a maternaty ward and I have to wait until after visitor hours .

I am using a Canon 5D MKII with a 24-105 lens. I have a 580 flash but am still learning how to use it efficently. I also have a couple 500 watt constant lights I can use if I need.

I was thinking I should bracket but am unsure.

How would you guys shoot this?

Thanks
Sam

Here is a link to a snapshot I did of it so you have an idea of what I will be doing.

IMG_3955 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Buckster]

What problems do you anticipate?

If it's a problem with reflections, try a polarizer. If it's color cast, try shooting with white balance on flourescent or do a custom white balance with a white balance tool like a gray card.

 

[KmH]

Your constant lights, the flourescent lights in the hallway, and your flash unit will likely all have different color temperatures.

You can gel the flash unit to match the color temperature of one of the other light sources.

If your continuous lights are tungsten bulbs (a slightly orange color temperature) you will still have a mixed lighting situation with the hallway flourescents (a slightly green color temperature).

 

[375ultramag]

Thanks for the reply, I went and shot a few last night of the floor. It was tough as it is a working hospital and I forgot 2 key elements. A duster mop and a gray card.

Here is what I got but as I was worried about the glare killed me.

IMG_4160 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I did not use constant lights. This was just flash and the lights they had in there. This was a maternity ward and there was some action going on so they wouldn't let me use lights, I will be going back.

KMH - what would you suggest then?

Thanks

 

[375ultramag]

IMG_4161 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[dallasimagery]

In this type of scenario, I would blend flash with ambient and bounce the light.

 

[gsgary]

The only shot to me that really focuses on the floor is this shot
IMG_4160 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
i think a higher perspective may be better

 

[375ultramag]

Guys, I appreciate the feedback. I am going back with a ladder and white foam board.

Thanks so much.

 

[D-B-J]

Do you have any sort of flash diffuser? The flash seems just a hair too harsh in some of those shots.

Regards,
Jake

 

[375ultramag]

D-B-J ,

I do and was using it. Belive it or not there is a fair amount of glare before I even took the shot.

I will say that I don't remember if these were shot with or without it though and which way I bounced it.

They floor had been waxed that morning.

 

[KmH]

KMH - what would you suggest then?

Thanks

You can gel the flash unit to match the color temperature of one of the other light sources.

and shoot a good gray card so you can custom white balance in post process.

 

[D-B-J]

D-B-J ,

I do and was using it. Belive it or not there is a fair amount of glare before I even took the shot.

I will say that I don't remember if these were shot with or without it though and which way I bounced it.

They floor had been waxed that morning.

Maybe the waxing was a problem? Especially on the mirror there seems to be alot of glare. Keep shooting!

Regards,
Jake

 

[375ultramag]

Once again, thanks.

I think if I am up on a 4ft ladder I can possibly eliminate some glare shooting down. Bounce the light different directions to see what I get.

This floor is actually linoleum by the way and not wood.