Peculiar predicament

[cynthia123]

This is one I've not encountered before! Someone wants me to do a quick promo shoot for his new single...he's an aspiring musician who works in an office building, and wants me to photograph him for an hour, on site, in his office building, against a white wall, holding a sign.

How do I compensate for the sh*tty office lighting and get crisp, artistic images? Either during the shoot or in post production.

I am not immensely adept in photoshop yet but can do the basics, wondering what you'd do!?

thanks,
c

[Skrim17]

Well, some info on the office and such would be helpful as well as knowing what your equipment is. If you have an external flash I would recommend bouncing it. Are there windows?

[cynthia123]

It will be at night, so no natural lighting. I have seen the space and it's a normal office, not sure how else to describe. White walls, flourescent lighting, etc.

I use a 20D with EF 24-70mm f/2.8

[Skrim17]

no flash?

[cynthia123]

Speedlight 430EX

[KHatch]

Does the head of the 430ex rotate? If so, rotate it to the side and bounce it off something white, a reflector or even white foam core. Have the reflector up a bit and leaning down towards the subject, the light bouncing up and to the side hitting the reflector - then down onto the subject. Play around a bit beforehand to find the best angle.

[zagiace]

what sort of equipment do you have available to you to utilize?
If you keep your shutter speed over 1/125th that should reduce the office lighting to no effect on the image then you can use the 430ex off camera with a bounce reflector (gator board will work fine for this.)
btw, probably the wrong section of this forum for this topic

[Ray Marrero]

I would be careful. If you can't get the control you need and he doesnt want to go to a more suitable location, I would think twice about doing the shoot. That image will have your name on it and others who see it will judge you by it. Only do your BEST work. I am speaking from experience.

I am the photographer and if I don't like the terms, the location, the lighting, the timeline, I just won't do it. Any fool can take a picture, if he wants me to CREATE a quality image, then it has to be my way.

[Karl Johnston]

I'd kill myself if I couldn't come up with something a little bit creative with a challenging scenario, but that's just me, it's what I strive to do is get the shot nobody else seems to be able to get. I suggest adopting that ideal, though maybe not to the same grandoise respect as I do :D