Portable supplemental lighting

[LilyLake]

As the family photography enthusiast, I've become the designated Christmas group picture taker. It's for the extended family, and we're always at the same house. The room where we take the picture isn't particularly well lit. We also have one notorious blinker, who is blinking in 90% of the pictures. Last month he claimed that the reason he blinks is because my flash is too bright. Okay... Well, my flash is as bright as it determines it needs to be, given the conditions in the room. Aside from that, I'm just not really happy with the image quality, and feel that if I had some better light in the room, we'd probably get better pictures, and maybe alleviate some of the blinking. I'm thinking it might be nice to have a couple of lights that I can set up, and possibly aim them at the ceiling to give the room a better ambient wash of light. Do any of you have any lights like this, that are easily portable? I'm not looking to spend much money - probably no more than $50 total. I suppose this could be the start of establishing some studio lighting for myself, depending on what I get. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[bob100]

As the family photography enthusiast, I've become the designated Christmas group picture taker. It's for the extended family, and we're always at the same house. The room where we take the picture isn't particularly well lit. We also have one notorious blinker, who is blinking in 90% of the pictures. Last month he claimed that the reason he blinks is because my flash is too bright. Okay... Well, my flash is as bright as it determines it needs to be, given the conditions in the room. Aside from that, I'm just not really happy with the image quality, and feel that if I had some better light in the room, we'd probably get better pictures, and maybe alleviate some of the blinking. I'm thinking it might be nice to have a couple of lights that I can set up, and possibly aim them at the ceiling to give the room a better ambient wash of light. Do any of you have any lights like this, that are easily portable? I'm not looking to spend much money - probably no more than $50 total. I suppose this could be the start of establishing some studio lighting for myself, depending on what I get. Any ideas or suggestions?

you could buy portable strobe lighting with off-camera triggers but it will cost more than $50 and a pain to set up. Why not just use a external flash pointed at the ceiling or wall - cheap, easy and effective. For groups just take multiple shots and say 1 . 2 . 3 - eyes open!

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[havoc315]

Depending on your system, you probably already have the ability to trigger a speed light optically off camera. If you already have a couple speed lights, it's rather cheap to add umbrellas and stands. My portable studio is just 2 speed lights, umbrellas and stands.

 

[xlxo]

$50? I would bring some additional lights into the room and put the camera on a tripod for slower shutter speeds to get around the flash problem. I use 1/15 to get more ambient light in some of my pictures.

With regards to that blinker.....

• take multiple pictures. After a half-dozen.... you should get lucky.
• try a countdown to have the blinker keep their eyes open for that precious moment.
• if your flash is too bright... consider diffusing the light.

 

[mom2rtk]

Some people are just blinkers. One of my 3 kids blinks in about 25% of my shots. Same kid each time, the others not so much. I just know to look closely at his shots to make sure I get what a I want.

I agree with xlxo. Just take extra shots.

 

[LilyLake]

Thank you for the responses. I do take lots of pictures. That's how I came up with the 90% figure. It's not an exaggeration. I have my camera on a tripod and I use a remote shutter release. Once it triggers, the camera goes through a series of red light blinks and audible beeps before it takes the picture. Everybody has ample warning of when the camera is going to take the picture.

I haven't thought about slowing my shutter speed down to something like 1/15. I'll have to try that.

I was just thinking that it might be nice to be able to bring a couple of lights with me to brighten up the room. We're at somebody else's house. Moving their lights around would not go over well, so I thought the least dramatic option would be to have something that's portable, and quick to set up and take back out.

Again,

By the way, mom2rtk, I've enjoyed at least one of your trip reports (the one about not reading it if you don't like princesses.) I love the outfits you've made for your daughter through the years. How fun! And I shared your disappointment when Marie was removed from the Magic Kingdom. My outfit for the Princess Half Marathon last year was inspired by Marie, and I made a point of getting a picture with her later that day in the MK.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thank you for the responses. I do take lots of pictures. That's how I came up with the 90% figure. It's not an exaggeration. I have my camera on a tripod and I use a remote shutter release. Once it triggers, the camera goes through a series of red light blinks and audible beeps before it takes the picture. Everybody has ample warning of when the camera is going to take the picture.

I haven't thought about slowing my shutter speed down to something like 1/15. I'll have to try that.

I was just thinking that it might be nice to be able to bring a couple of lights with me to brighten up the room. We're at somebody else's house. Moving their lights around would not go over well, so I thought the least dramatic option would be to have something that's portable, and quick to set up and take back out.

Again,

By the way, mom2rtk, I've enjoyed at least one of your trip reports (the one about not reading it if you don't like princesses.) I love the outfits you've made for your daughter through the years. How fun! And I shared your disappointment when Marie was removed from the Magic Kingdom. My outfit for the Princess Half Marathon last year was inspired by Marie, and I made a point of getting a picture with her later that day in the MK.

Hi LilyLake! I hope the lighting works out for you. I'd love it if you could share some images here to show us what you come up with and how it works out.

Thanks for the comments on the trip report and the costumes. I miss our costume days. We still go to the parks and have a great time, we just enjoy it in a different way now. I'm glad I have all those photos to remember the costume fun!

We're mostly DL regulars now and Marie never has been a regular there (that I know of). Next time we make it back to WDW we're sure going to miss our favorite cat. Your Marie outfit for the half marathon sounds great. I'd love to see a photo if you want to share! (either here or by PM). Glad you got your picture with Marie before she disappeared.

 

[xlxo]

Once it triggers, the camera goes through a series of red light blinks and audible beeps before it takes the picture.

Just remembered..... on some Nikon's.... there's a feature to delay the shutter by a half second to minimize shake. I wonder if you have that turned on.