Simulate Lighting from Alarm Clock/TV

Hey guys,

I am currently in an entry level photography class at my university just for fun since it is my last semester. Being that I am taking the class only for my personal enjoyment and learning, I am trying to push myself with each project.

This assignment is supposed to involve "creative portraits" that are supposed to follow a theme and I have a few ideas. My number one idea is a "Rise and Shine" theme. I want to take pictures of people sleeping from different angles (straight above the bed, in the library, from the alarm clocks perspective, etc.) as well as pictures of them when I scare the **** out of them in the middle of the night lol (Not sure if I want to go with a funny or classy direction quite yet)

Anyway, I need help with lighting. I think it would be cool to get a red glow on the subjects face as they are sleeping, as if from an alarm clock. It would also be cool to get a glow that looks like the TV is illuminating them. However, the only equipment I have access to is: Canon 40D, Canon T3i, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon 18-55 kit lens, Canon 70(or 75)-300, two tripods, and a YN-565 with RF603 triggers. I MAY also be able to rent a softbox from the library but I have no clue (just saw them sitting in the media office).

Any ideas? I am thinking it will be hard with only one flash unless I use a flashlight or something.. Slow shutter speed probably won't work even with them sleeping, will it?

My girlfriend is planning to do a 1920's freak show theme in the woods this weekend, maybe I'll post up some pics if they turn out nice

You might use a flash to mimic the tv, alter the white balance to make it blueish OR put a gel on it. As for the alarmclock, you probably don't want too much as they're not that powerful, you might try an alarmclock with a longer shutter and see how that goes, maybe a few led lights?

You think direct flash with no power for the TV simulation? I'm just trying to picture lighting from a TV and it is obviously pretty soft but it also drops off quickly..

As far as gels, what exactly are they? I've seen someone use them on a video before and it looks like cellophane or something... Just wondering because there are no photo shops around here and it will be hard to order stuff in time.

Color gel info:
http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Color_gel

If you're interested in gels, go to bhphotovideo.com and search "Rosco."

Since you don't need a lot of light, you could cover the flash with a red (or blue) handkerchief to get the effect. Just be careful of heat buildup with repeated pops.

Remotely triggered flash can be used to simulate a lot of things.

Interestingly enough, the latest pop photo magazine has an article on simulating TV lighting.

Small LED lights can be found in the flashlight section of supermarketers and hardware stores. That'd be my first idea to use.

Sam6644 wrote in post #14293021
Small LED lights can be found in the flashlight section of supermarketers and hardware stores. That'd be my first idea to use.

Key chains have them too.. We've got a couple from the car dealership my wife works at just sitting on the tv.

Here's one of my daughter, I was trying to simulate moonlight. Flash was outside of the window (up high and at a 45). It was still daylight to. I simply put the fluorscent gel on my speedlight, set white balance to tungsten and shot. ISO 100, F8, and a shutter of1/250ths ( to kill ambient)

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LIght directly from a laptop or ipad...... you dont' need to worry about lighting, right?

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1134149

chadci wrote in post #14293111
Here's one of my daughter, I was trying to simulate moonlight.

Brilliantly executed.
Nice job!

Curtis N wrote in post #14293509
Brilliantly executed.
Nice job!

Thanks!

Why not just use an alarm clock to simulate an alarm clock?
Let it sit there and burn in, then use 2nd curtain bounced flash for a hint of fill. I might use a CTB gel on the flash.

Blue gelled flash low and camera left.

https://photography-on-the.net …=14187419&postc​ount=10074

bdillon wrote in post #14293993
Why not just use an alarm clock to simulate an alarm clock?
Let it sit there and burn in, then use 2nd curtain bounced flash for a hint of fill. I might use a CTB gel on the flash.

As long as nothing is moving, there's no difference between 1st curtain and 2nd curtain.

I do like the idea of letting the real light source be the light source. Might require a tripod. In post, you can adjust white balance to render the color you're looking for.

Thanks for all the responses guys! Great ideas

bdillon wrote in post #14293993
Why not just use an alarm clock to simulate an alarm clock?
Let it sit there and burn in, then use 2nd curtain bounced flash for a hint of fill. I might use a CTB gel on the flash.

I was thinking about that, but didn't think it would be bright enough when using a relatively fast shutter speed and figured there would be motion blur with a real slow shutter..

Curtis N wrote in post #14294652
As long as nothing is moving, there's no difference between 1st curtain and 2nd curtain.

I do like the idea of letting the real light source be the light source. Might require a tripod. In post, you can adjust white balance to render the color you're looking for.

I was also considering adjusting WB in post, but can I give a bluish color from the "TV" as well as a red from the alarm clock? I am relatively new to photoshop elements 10 and have a touch more experience with lightroom 3.

Curtis N wrote in post #14294652
As long as nothing is moving, there's no difference between 1st curtain and 2nd curtain.

I do like the idea of letting the real light source be the light source. Might require a tripod. In post, you can adjust white balance to render the color you're looking for.

I'm aware of this. When I post what's in my mind it comes out how I would do it. It's sort of accidental; more of a reflex.

I always use 2nd curtain in the dark so I don't accidentally blind anyone during the exposure, and if there is any accidental movement then it appears more natural in most cases. Really handy if you're light painting and working with flash.
Other reasons I use it:
People tend to make "that face" when popped with light. You know the one where they open their mouth and blink a few times.
People tend to think the exposure is over when they see the flash.