seeking information on long exposures

[Philipkavanagh]

I am planning on taking a photograph of a person standing still for several hours.
I'm using a nikon fg-20, a kood cable release and iso 400 film. I will be working indoors using artificial lighting.

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on what settings are essential for taking this photograph,
and what lighting is necessary to avoid over exposure.

 

[lennon33x]

There is a likelihood you'll get ghosting, or even motion blur. And by likelihood, I mean, I'd bet a large sum of money on it. Is it (motion blur/ghosting) intended?

 

[KmH]

I don't think anyone can stand rock solid still for several hours.

A long exposure will be blurred to some extent because of subject movement.

Another issue related to a long exposure is going to be what film you use and the film susceptibility to reciprocity failure.
What is Reciprocity Failure? | Film Photography Project

 

[Philipkavanagh]

There is a likelihood you'll get ghosting, or even motion blur. And by likelihood, I mean, I'd bet a large sum of money on it. Is it (motion blur/ghosting) intended?

I have no definitive outcome in mind, its an experiment for a project I'm working on. Ghosting or motion blur isn't intended, but equally i dont mind If, and when it'll happen.

I guess Im just wondering if I do this will I get an image of something that looks something like a person, or will i just get white over exposure....

 

[Philipkavanagh]

I don't think anyone can stand rock solid still for several hours.

A long exposure will be blurred to some extent because of subject movement.

Another issue related to a long exposure is going to be what film you use and the film susceptibility to reciprocity failure.
What is Reciprocity Failure? | Film Photography Project

Thanks for that, I hadn't considered Reciprocity Failure. I'll be using black and white film so I'll expect a massive loss in density over the course of the exposure.

Any thoughts on lighting such a shoot indoors?

 

[KmH]

Do the math.

 

[lennon33x]

It's highly unlikely (I'll border to say impossible) that a human can stand still for hours. Consider your subject's basic human needs when doing it...and that they're a fully willing participant.

 

[Philipkavanagh]

It's highly unlikely (I'll border to say impossible) that a human can stand still for hours. Consider your subject's basic human needs when doing it...and that they're a fully willing participant.

The participant is informed fully about what it is I'm trying to do. Standing still for hours isn't what i'm expecting to happen...blur will of course happen..It's an experiment so I don't mind that. Its a few possible methods of doing this that I'd love to hear about.

 

[enzodm]

If you have a digital camera, you could measure exposure in the exact place you will shoot and then do some calculations for the time you suppose to expose.
I would go 100ISO, to have some more room. And I would use a candle for lighting (not too close).

 

[EIngerson]

You could get some killer images with the ghosting you're going to get. I'm looking forward to the results.

 

[Philipkavanagh]

If you have a digital camera, you could measure exposure in the exact place you will shoot and then do some calculations for the time you suppose to expose.
I would go 100ISO, to have some more room. And I would use a candle for lighting (not too close).

A candle is a great idea thanks for that. did some experiments with lighting last night and I couldn't believe the low levels of light needed for exposing for a long time. Fun process though. and yeah, ill get some iso 100. thanks for your help.