Help with photoshoot idea

[blackjacknz]

I have an idea for a photoshoot.....

Night time...on the riverbank with the city in the background all lit up ie highrises lights etc

Ive done a shoot of just the city lights...no mode in the shot...was shooting with 30 sec exposure...which turned out great.

What im thinking is doing the same shoot...but this time have a model in the foreground...if i keep the 30 sec exposure...plus use a flash to expose the model...will this work? Obviously i'll play around with exposures on the night....but is this possible?

We have 2 x 580EXII's with umbrella reflectors........

[inthedeck]

I don't think a model can stand still, for 30 seconds. If she can, I'd say she should work for one of those large stores with human mannequins. :lol:

Honestly, though, with 2 speedlights you can accomplish it, without a problem. The issue will be trying to focus in a low light scenario. For that, maybe you'll need a nice flashlight, or some source of light that'll allow you to focus.

Test out a couple of exposures, figure out what works best, and go from there. ;)

Here's a link, to a thread that 'may' be similar to what you had in mind, not sure. Yeap...taken with 2 speedlights. Maybe not the best effort, but, I tried. :)

Click Here. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=568647)

[D Thompson]

I don't think a model can stand still, for 30 seconds.
Depending on the ambient where the model is, she doesn't have to stand still for 30 seconds. In fact, after the flash fires she can quickly walk out of the frame and will probably not register. Again, depends on how light the area is where the model is standing.

[inthedeck]

Depending on the ambient where the model is, she doesn't have to stand still for 30 seconds. In fact, after the flash fires she can quickly walk out of the frame and will probably not register. Again, depends on how light the area is where the model is standing.

Thanks for the tip. ;)

[Mark1]

It depends on the lights behind her as well. If the city lights burn in to long it will turn her into a ghost. She needs to stay there and block the light.

My suggestion is find the apature that works for the lighting you want on the model. Then find a pose she can hold. Sitting, or leaning on something etc..etc. Then flash her manualy at the end of the long exposure at the predetermined power setting.

[D Thompson]

You're right, I forgot about the lights behind her. Still, she wouldn't have to remain perfectly still, just not move from the spot.

[Mark1]

Right. If the ambient where she is is dark enough. She can blink, breath, make small movements, even hold a conversation. Then warn her that you are about to set off the flash so she is ready.

[inthedeck]

2nd curtain sync?

[blackjacknz]

Thats what i was kind of thinking...the shot will be 30 secs in length...the model will be in the shot the whole time as there is no ambient light at all...complete darkness where we will be shooting (taking a large stick with us)...she will need to stay there otherwise the lights of the city will be on her in the shot.

Do i fire the flash on her at the start...or the end of the shot?...I'll just be using the 2 x 580EXII firing them remotely with the ST-E2 when i need it.....

[Mark1]

Yes. or by hand if you are keeping track of the time.

[Mark1]

At the end is better. If the movements are seen, you want her to lead the trails, not follow them.

[harroz]

I think she'd be better off running into the image near the end and taking a still position. sitting somewhere and having slight movement tends to leave soft sides, whereas going in for the flash she'll be sharper edged.

Remember you can also use dusk.. lights are on everything loks like night but you have a little more to play with, not a lot though

You're right, I forgot about the lights behind her. Still, she wouldn't have to remain perfectly still, just not move from the spot.

[siddr20]

I will be keen to see the results from this photoshoot.

[blackjacknz]

We've booked the shoot for the 27th...starting while its still light...then working untill full darkness......i'll post up the results.....hopefully we get some great shots.

[Mark1]

I think she'd be better off running into the image near the end and taking a still position. sitting somewhere and having slight movement tends to leave soft sides, whereas going in for the flash she'll be sharper edged.

Remember you can also use dusk.. lights are on everything loks like night but you have a little more to play with, not a lot though


How do you plan on keeping the lights in the background from burning into the image where she will be standing? You will end up with her and the lights over each other.

[harroz]

sorry, i thought you'd covered that already;)
How do you plan on keeping the lights in the background from burning into the image where she will be standing? You will end up with her and the lights over each other.

[Mark1]

I did , but was hoping for a secret technique we had not thought of yet. I read your idea and the "light went on" (funny I know, I got a million of them!) That way would eliminate all the movement problems. Than as I wrote a reply I remembered there will be city lights in the background. If you don,t ask you cant learn.

[coalcliff]

I just wish I could use 2nd curtain synch with my pocket wizards off my 40D... rather than counting down and manually firing the pw's prior to the shutter closure.

[cheungupdt]

wouldn't the foreground light up due to the flash? ie, the river bank?

[Mark1]

Yes that would be the point of the flash. But I dont think they are looking to just blast the light all over the place. But looking to do a subtle "Streetlight" effect. The long exposure will allow the ambient light to develop into rich colors for a nice background, then the flash will fire allowing the subject to be seen.

[blackjacknz]

Thanks for all thr advise/help...cant wait for the shoot now!

[Cosha]

humm

this is what i was thinking

Set up on a locked tripod, first shot expose the model correctly so the rest behind her is very little lighting

Same lock tripod dont move it, then expose for the lights behind on your 30 sec shutter, remove the model and take your shot

then compose them back in photoshop, using a few overlays

you will have a) your correct backdrop and b) the model will be composed correctly too


would that not work?

[Mark1]

It will work fine. Only depends on your photoshop abilities.

[cheungupdt]

i'd really like to see how the picture would come out!

[blackjacknz]

Ok..we had the shoot last night...very pleased with the results. We started off with a few shots beofre it got dark...then started to play around with the lighting. We had about 2 hours at the shoot...i'm very happy with the results. Next time i might have the model do a few clothing changes to add a bit of variety. I've added the shots to the post here...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=8537317#post8537317

[kelz]

Blackjack, I have to post here because I'm a noobie ;) I really like the 3rd image in your compositions and the whole concept of the shoot. But I like the skies,details and the look on the model in #4, the only things I would modify in #4 would be the following:

1. Add a brightness/contrast fill layer to the sand. Invert the layer and brush the sand with a 35% opacity brush so the sand does not over power your composition. Don't use the burn tool as this might take some of the detail away and you will not have total control on the process.

2.The city and the model are your subjects. The city looks great but the model's face seems a bit dark for me since the strongest light is behind her. Add a brightness/contrast fill layer to her face. Invert the layer and brush her face with a 20% opacity brush her face until the skin tone is the same as her thigh. Use the same brush with a 30% opacity on the right side of the sky

This will balance out your photo and make it pop. Remember this is just my opinion.

[blackjacknz]

Blackjack, I have to post here because I'm a noobie ;) I really like the 3rd image in your compositions and the whole concept of the shoot. But I like the skies,details and the look on the model in #4, the only things I would modify in #4 would be the following:

1. Add a brightness/contrast fill layer to the sand. Invert the layer and brush the sand with a 35% opacity brush so the sand does not over power your composition. Don't use the burn tool as this might take some of the detail away and you will not have total control on the process.

2.The city and the model are your subjects. The city looks great but the model's face seems a bit dark for me since the strongest light is behind her. Add a brightness/contrast fill layer to her face. Invert the layer and brush her face with a 20% opacity brush her face until the skin tone is the same as her thigh. Use the same brush with a 30% opacity on the right side of the sky

This will balance out your photo and make it pop. Remember this is just my opinion.

Thanks for the detailed C & C!!...great post...i'll have to give this a try...to be honest im still learning with Photoshop.....all i do at the moment is a bit of cloning/sharpening...nothing too fancy. I'll have a try and post the results!

Thanks again

Steve

[doidinho]

humm

this is what i was thinking

Set up on a locked tripod, first shot expose the model correctly so the rest behind her is very little lighting

Same lock tripod dont move it, then expose for the lights behind on your 30 sec shutter, remove the model and take your shot

then compose them back in photoshop, using a few overlays

you will have a) your correct backdrop and b) the model will be composed correctly too


would that not work?

Only thing is if there is any ambient hitting the model you are not going to see that in the flash only exposure and it may end up looking more like you pasted her in there. I say have her just stay in position, as still as possible, through the exposure, and realized that she may be a bit soft aroung her edges.

[Cosha]

Either way the shots come out nice! :D

It was kinda my way of thinking, prob not the best but i like to experiment and see what effects i can get :) afterall its what it makes it fun for me

point taken though :cool: