Cool Idea for Lighting Car Interiors
From reader mini/eng, here is a cheapo, tight-space lighting technique so clever that it would make Strobist car-lighting guru Moosehd2 proud.Mini/eng stuck a Canon 430ex speedlight (on manual at full power) on the roof of the car, and aimed it at a large, white card just outside the far window. Presto: clean, soft even light to throw nice smooth speculars off of that rich, Corinthian Vinyl dash.
He triggered it wirelessly with a Canon ST-E2 infra-red remote. I am thinking he nuked it on full manual to get the most depth of field possible, and adjusted the aperture to make Mr. Histogram happy. (Looks like he coaxed f/8 out of it.)
My one-sentence, pimp-my-light advice would have been to shoot it at night, with the dash lights on, and to leave the shutter open long enough for all of that speedo-tacho ambient goodness to burn in. Wouldn't that rock?
Don't think this bounce card technique is limited to the boot-strapping, starving-artist types who read this blog, either. The Big Dawg car photogs use this trick any time they need clean, soft light in a tight area.
Good to remember next time you are lighting the interior of your Cooper Mini. Or maybe a Manhattan apartment.
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Posted at 12:00 AM.
13 Comments:
Kudos on the constructive critisism, giving fresh ideas to other people's work. More opinions = more learnings.
Kudos on the constructive critisism, giving fresh ideas to other people's work. More opinions = more learnings.
Dave, thanks for the feature... yep, full power was used to get as much DoF as possible... it was shot at night in the garage (I had the room lights on), but was too lazy to bring the tripod out that night... to no dashlights for this shot! And yes, this shot was inspired by Moosehd2 and his excellent work!
That's a very good idea. I remember seeing the photo and description when he uploaded it but forgot to try it out. Great reminder!
My one-sentence, pimp-my-light advice would have been to shoot it at night, with the dash lights on, and to leave the shutter open long enough for all of that speedo-tacho ambient goodness to burn in. Wouldn't that rock?
Well, I couldn't resist...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8053383@N02/1348813723/
I've been doing kinda similair interior shots, but instead had an assistent hold a large reflectionscreen (without the cover on it) against the windowopening and shot through it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80651449@N00/461652048/
&
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80651449@N00/376763560/
Audis, Minis...so that's the Strobist way of life? Screw my PhD, I'm gonna order two lighting sets tomorrow!
Great pimp-my-light advice on a budget. Should work for my Manhattan apt.
It isn't a Mini ;D It is a Miata.
I used to put a white sheet over the roof and make sure it covered the windows. Then stick a SB on the floorboards and you have a very nice car interior photo.
I bought a car recently, and while I am not an avid car lover, I really liked this idea. Here is my (first) contribution:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11441790@N07/1353193358/
Hello !
I'm from France. I like your website and car.
Welcome to my politic way of life:
http://allainjulesblog.blogspot.com/
Had to try this myself with my daughter's Mini Cooper. Two shots. One of just the dash and another with her in the scene. Used foamcore with a flash bounced from the passenger's side. Used a sb24 with a snoot to light her face. Next time will stop down to get better depth of field. With her face in focus the dash gauges are slightly out of focus.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickaustin/1881387225/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickaustin/1882201150/
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