Chritmas Scene

Hi,
I am new here. I hope you guys and gals can help me out. I will be shooting a Christmas scene tomorrow, and just when I thought I knew what I was doing . . . I don't!!

I will be shooting two models with a Christmas tree behind them. I shoot in a studio and I believe I am doing very well. Check out my sight at www.strobemagazine.com, BUT!!!!!! This shoot is going to kick my butt.

Basically I want to shoot the models, but see the little lights on the tree. Yes I know it sounds easy . . . . . shoot at f2.8 and things should look good. WELL, NO!! They don't. I have to shoot at a speed of 125 or lower so that my strobes sink up, but if I go to slow . . you know what happens.

So how can do this people?? I have seen pictures where there is a Christmas tree behind a model and you see the lights. ????

I use the Canon 5D. I have Alien Bees for strobes. Should I change the ISO. I was told NEVER to touch that. Should I just give up and use Hot Lights?? HELP!!!!

What ISO are you using?
And why were you told not to change.
If you are worried about camera shake, why not use a tripod?

strobe wrote in post #4090292
.... Should I change the ISO. I was told NEVER to touch that.

You should scratch whoever told you that completely off your list of advisors. That's about the looniest thing I have heard as a recommendation to a photographer in a long time.

Well, yes I agree. They said that if I change the ISO it will make my images grainier?

As for what ISO???? well, I was at 100. Then when I went up to 800, it looked better.

I can use a tripod for sure, but I am worried about the models moving.

I just want to see the lights on the tree. : (

What am I missing here?

strobe wrote in post #4090292
Should I just give up and use Hot Lights?? HELP!!!!

How are hot lights going to help?


What you need is two seperate exposures, one for the models and the tree, and one for the lights.

Fortunatly you can do that, the camera can capture two exposures at the same time quite easily, if you think of the strobes as being a second exposure.

Darken the Studio, and set up an exposure with the camera that will capture the lights on the christmass tree.
Now at some point during that exposure fire the strobes (at the start is good, as you would normaly).

If that dosn't work, and to be honest I will be surprised if it does, the next trick is work a little photoshop magic on two seperate exposures

NO?? : ) I am new at this. I will be using an 85mm or 50mm lens. Sorry for all the stupid questions. Just want this to look GREAT.. It is for the Dec issue of the magazine.

YEap, thought about the PS thing. How do shoot in two exposures? I like shooting in Manual mode. Sometimes I have heard to shoot in TV or AV. Still not sure what to do.

I would meter for f/8 - f/11 and you'll have the tree lights in focus. If you want the lights blurred, use f/2.8.

COOL!!!! I get that, but when I shoot at f8 or f11, the lights don't show up, meaning I don't see the LIGHT. Looks like they are turn off. I want to see them ON. : )

Moppie wrote in post #4090650
How are hot lights going to help?

What you need is two seperate exposures, one for the models and the tree, and one for the lights.

Fortunatly you can do that, the camera can capture two exposures at the same time quite easily, if you think of the strobes as being a second exposure.

Darken the Studio, and set up an exposure with the camera that will capture the lights on the christmass tree.
Now at some point during that exposure fire the strobes (at the start is good, as you would normaly).

If that dosn't work, and to be honest I will be surprised if it does, the next trick is work a little photoshop magic on two seperate exposures

!

hey man please bring back the other avatar 1

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #4090748
!

hey man please bring back the other avatar 1

ed rader

Optimas isn't really the drinking type is he, or do you just like a bit of lumber jack in the morning?

Moppie wrote in post #4090769
Optimas isn't really the drinking type is he, or do you just like a bit of lumber jack in the morning?

lumberjack? i thought it was dudley dooright in his civies !

ed rader