I need your help - Karaoke bar interior photography lighting and composition.

[perryge]

So rather unexpectedly, I got a knock on my door from a friend, whose boss wants shots done of the interior of a Karaoke Bar for a brochure. I'm going in tomorrow to talk about rates, terms, and all that, and potentially even do the shoot. It's going to be done at night since it's a bar, and I'll probably be using ambient light; don't think I'll be using bounce flash but it's a possbility.

I ran a search and couldn't find any useful threads on this topic.

Now, I'm a landscape and portrait/glamour guy, so interior photography is not my forté. If anybody has any tips or advise, specifically on composition, lighting, technique, I'd much appreciate it. I'm not worried and I'm confident I'll do a good job, but I'd love to get some tips from some of you more experienced folk in the area.

[PhotosGuy]

See Curtis' post:
Settings?? Help Needed! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2953374)

Q & A: Dwight McCann (Event Photography) (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81761)
Concert Photography Tips: A FAQ Perhaps (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=226809)
Anyone with Club/Nightlife photography questions? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=363560)
Social Events Photographer - Sydney (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=362179)

[perryge]

Thanks for that Frank, but I'm not shooting a social event or a club night, I'm shooting the interior for a brochure! It's more like interior real estate than club/nightlife/concert stuff, which I'm far more comfortable with.

[PhotosGuy]

I ran a search and couldn't find any useful threads on this topic.
&
but I'm not shooting a social event or a club night, I'm shooting the interior for a brochure! I gave you what there was. Maybe you could make your own tutorial thread when you're finished?
I did something like your nightclub years ago on film. Use as much "available darkness" as possible & cover yourself with a few bounce shots, & maybe place a flash well off to the side with a gell on it for an "atmosphere" shot.

[perryge]

Thanks Frank, I think I'll probably stick to a tripod + longer exposures and use the ambient light. They specifically want the shoot done (it's happening tonight actually) at night time so only ambient light will illuminate the room.

I'd hardly feel qualified to write a tutorial after this one shoot :lol:, but who knows, maybe I'll give it a crack. There are other areas of photography that I am far, far more qualified to write about, haha. Composition wise, I'm pretty much going to treat it like a landscape shoot, with the final intention of the photos in mind at all times. Foreground interest, leading lines, wide angle to make the place look nice and spacious :D.

[perryge]

Well, I did the shoot! Finished processing the shots, and posted them in this thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=461699

Client likes them. I can't for the love of me figure out why. This was such a huge step away from my normal work that I don't think I've quite grasped how this kind of photography is to be appreciated yet.

Dunno if I'm qualified to write a tutorial :lol:, I shot it as I would have shot a landscape, but with less interesting light.

[PhotosGuy]

Client likes them. I can't for the love of me figure out why. Usually that's what counts the most.
I think we both missed the boat on this one. Comments in the other thread.

[perryge]

Usually that's what counts the most.
I think we both missed the boat on this one. Comments in the other thread.

Comments replied - they were steering the boat, not me :p, they specifically wanted no people in the shots. It was basically real estate photography, but for a tourist brochure.