Dinner at the Fort

Fort Vancouver had a re-enactment this past weekend. The story line goes that an American Naval ship, the USS Shark, left the Fort in September 1846 after a month and sank at the mouth of the Columbia River. The residents of the Fort were preparing a rescue/salvage mission. All the characters in the Fort were to stay in character at all times and would not respond to any of the 'guests'. It was quite a production over two evenings, well done and very well received.

A couple of caveats - no guest could use any light sources, including flash. Lighting in all the rooms was as close to original as they could make it - that means candles. It presented quite a challenge to photograph. This is one of the better images and it is still muddy/soft. Most were shot with ISO 3200 using either the Canon 50mm f1.8 or the Tamron 28-75 f2.8.

Visit the series of shots here.

As always, comments and suggestions are appreciated.

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Fantastic shot considering the conditions.

Well done, Dave.
I love shots like this. I believe some refer to this kind of lighting as Rembrandt lighting.
Whatever it is, its way of conveying a mood is unsurpassed IMHO.

great lighting.

Great capture..proof that there is light without flash...and much mor representative of the moment...WQonderful composition and execution here Dave...really like this shot! Hope you had fun, looks like you did

Super candlelight shot Dave. Welll done.

Thanks for the positive feedback, it is appreciated.

Peachman - the only thing that could have made it more fun was if I could have done it with 'the kit lens'.....

Great composition. Anyone can take a picture. This is art.

NW_Rebel wrote in post #2005726
Great composition. Anyone can take a picture. This is art.

I agree with you on this one. It's a great photo.

ayotnoms wrote in post #2001023
Well done, Dave.
I love shots like this. I believe some refer to this kind of lighting as Rembrandt lighting.
Whatever it is, its way of conveying a mood is unsurpassed IMHO.

Rembrandt lighting is normally defined by the triangular shadow that falls from the eye furthest from a diffused light source. In this case the lighting is hard and dead on to the subject, and very close.

I do think this shot captures a "mood" that I really like. Great results in difficult lighting conditions.

--Colin

colinmcnamara wrote in post #2005825
Rembrandt lighting is normally defined by the triangular shadow that falls from the eye furthest from a diffused light source. In this case the lighting is hard and dead on to the subject, and very close.

I do think this shot captures a "mood" that I really like. Great results in difficult lighting conditions.

--Colin

Thanks Colin. As I understand 'Rembrandt lighting' the term comes from a trap door in Rembrandt's studio ceiling that he left open to let in light. That did produce the shadow you mention. I think this info came from Boomer1959 who has posted some excellent examples of the lighting style. See, I do read and pay attention sometimes.

Well, I might be wrong. And if I am, thank you for the correction.
But the way I read the picture, the candle is used as a key light almost dead on to the subjects face. If I was trying to recreate "Rembrandt" lighting myself I would throw a strobe with a diffuser at 45-60 degrees off his face. Or cheat and have a subject near a window with the same effects - Deep diffused shadows on the leeward side of the face.

E.G. - Girl at a Window http://dulwich-ke-ext.atticmedia.com …able=ecatalogue​&refirn=79

Either way, kudos on the photo.

--Colin

colinmcnamara wrote in post #2007497
Well, I might be wrong. And if I am, thank you for the correction.
But the way I read the picture, the candle is used as a key light almost dead on to the subjects face. If I was trying to recreate "Rembrandt" lighting myself I would throw a strobe with a diffuser at 45-60 degrees off his face. Or cheat and have a subject near a window with the same effects - Deep diffused shadows on the leeward side of the face.

E.G. - Girl at a Window http://dulwich-ke-ext.atticmedia.com …able=ecatalogue​&refirn=79

Either way, kudos on the photo.

--Colin

No, I don't think you are wrong. You're right on, I was just adding the reason it's called Rembrandt Lighting. And the light on the dinner picture is indeed the candle light right in front of the subject. This was not a shot that I set up but rather taken during a re-enactment. This man was really eating his dinner. And a good looking meal it was.

If I were to set up a portrait shot like this (and I will try) I would much prefer the style of Yousuf Karsh. I fell in love with his work: http://www.westongalle​ry.com …y_karsh/yousuf_​karsh.html

Very nice shot- I think the quality of the photo is perfectly suited for the era it is set in.

Tells a nice story. Great shot Dave!