Natural / Indoor Lighting - First Attempt at posed shots

freefall · 10 Apr 2009

Hi everyone,

I'm about to do some shots of the other half in various poses and clothes to help improve on my skills. I will be taking the shots in our house at a mixture of times, some during the day and some in the evening (when I will have nothing but artificial light).

I am using a Canon EOS400D and have the standard kit flash. Nothing more.

I expect that lighting is going to be a mojor issue here and I don't have the money to buy any kit, at all.

Can anyone offer any budget busting tips that might help me create crystal clear shots? I'm worried that the ISO will always be set to 1600 and I don't want to have to do that for everyshot.

thanks!

fleaz · 10 Apr 2009

budget? avoid taking in the evening. else try to diffuse the pop-up flash, direct use of the flash is just too harsh.

will69 · 10 Apr 2009

If you have a tripod use it.

Sit subject near a window.

Make a reflector from cardboard and tin foil.

freefall · 10 Apr 2009

thanks will, good idea. I have heard of that before. will definatley make a cheapo reflector. thanks

david1701 · 10 Apr 2009

get some free lee filters sample gels and gel your flash to match whatever lights you have in the room to prevent nasty colour casts (flash daylight balanced)

melevo · 11 Apr 2009

did i just see the word FREE,

david1701 · 11 Apr 2009

yes you did melevo, I filled in their online form asking for a sample pack and each filter will cover a speedlight head

AliB · 11 Apr 2009

Use any light you like and convert it to B&W. Colour balance doesn't matter then.

Candle light, torch light, lamps and use that tin foil reflector to bounce some back in too.

freefall · 16 Apr 2009

hmmmm candle light seems quite interesting, havent thought about that yet! will have a look at those samples. thanks guys!