Pictures in the dark

[Lindsay]

I am taking a friends maternity photos and I want to try something new. Last year I saw a photo of a woman completely in the dark with only candles lighting her face, It was a beautiful photo and you could see all the wonderful features of her face and I fell in love with it! I would very much like to do this for my friend, I've tried it with my son (using plastic candles of course) and I cant recreate the photo ; (. Does anyone have suggestions on how to do this or settings I should have my camera on? I use a Canon rebel xsi and I have a tripod and a remote too if that would help any.

 

[480sparky68 67]

"Faking it" isn't all that difficult. This is taken with a strobe:

 

[Biggs88]

its a hard shot. More so if your camera does not hold well at higher ISO's. I tried it, but ended up using a speed flash with snoot (paper towel roll) on a light stand to get the look I was looking for. . . .

 

[ChavezPhoto]

Biggs88, paper towel roll? That's an awesome tip right there. I have to agree with the ISO comment. Candles can also make a lot of unattractive shadows on one's face, especially near the jaw line and eyes.

 

[KmH]

I have a whole selection of custom snoots I made from cereal box cardboard and gaffers tape.

Cinefoil works too.

You can make grids using both corrugated cardboard or straws.