Photo shoot without lights

Doddy1974

Doddy1974

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My friend has booked me to do a photo shoot for her.

I have a flashgun, but that's it. I don't have any extra lighting. Her room is quite good for natural light tho.

If I position the clients correctly, and if I bounce the flash off the ceiling, will I achieve suitable shots?

I have PSE8..if I am lacking in light, I am right in thinking there is an action on Elements that will allow me to add lighting effects?

TIA
 
You'll be able to adjust the relative intensity of lights, and with a LOT of experience maybe add in extra lights in photoshop, but photoshop can't make a 3d light space out of a 2d photo so you'll want to make sure the lighting is good enough as is.

Bounced flash should be okay for the most part, without lights it is possible to get shots that look just fine lighting wise anyway, just as long as you do put the work in.

I don't have any flash at all, and while I don't shoot studio, self portraits etc. still need decent lighting which thankfully some of the window setups at home can provide :)

5342825016_ab3259abae.jpg

I added the gradient in photoshop, but the processing was pretty minor other than that, as long as you get a pretty diffuse light from the windows you should be okay :)

Of course, take what I say with a pinch of salt; I'm not experienced at all with lighting. :D I know how it works but I don't shoot enough studio to justify buying it all :D
 
1. Can you shoot without lights?

Of course. You really can get "professional results" from window light. Here's one I shot for a client on Monday where the window light was nice so I didn't unpack the 4 flash guns I had with me ;)


Miss A by Jonathan Ryan, on Flickr

(Though as the comments discuss - that was reasonably high ISO...)

2. Can you shoot with one light?

Absolutely. Lots and lots of my pictures only use one light (it's easier than 2...). Bouncing flash can get you a long way - adding a modifier like a small softbox will literally take it to another level.

3. Is there a lighting effects button in PS?

Yes there is.

4. Would it be a good idea to use it?

No ;) Skilled people can do all kinds of clever stuff with it. But it really isn't a substitute for getting enough light into the picture in the first place..

But the main question is....what kind of pics do you want to take? That's going to determine how you will light it.
 
Thankyou for you replies.

It's mainly family fun shots really. They want them good enough to be able to put a couple on canvas. The room we will be using has got good light, from both ends.

Your picture is amazing! I am impressed that it was natural light.
I guess I am just nervous, and want to do a good job..I am going to take a look around TP and look for ideas.
You reassure me that achieving good pics with minimal additional lighting is possible. I think I will practice with my own children first...that will give me a bit of confidence I think!

I will steer clear of lighting in PSE then...sounds like dodgy ground to me!

Do Jessops sell softboxes? How much roughly am I looking at to get one???
 
Rutherfordium said:
Forgive me for mentioning this in Talk Lighting, but why don't you take them outside? A nice woodland or something would make a more interesting backdrop and if it's a cloudy day you've got a massive ready-made softbox. Better than trying to get a studio-style shot without the studio equipment imho :)
Click to expand...

The kind of shots they want are more of a studio portrait type shoot.
We are having to book ages in advance due to it involving a lot of people, and we don't want to have to hope for good weather. I agree that it would provide better lighting, but on this occasion, outdoors isn't what the people are after.
 
Doddy1974 said:
Your picture is amazing! I am impressed that it was natural light.
Click to expand...

Thanks ;)

Ah "a lot of people". That might be tricky. In the UK in winter it's hard to shoot a group of more than say 3 people by available light. Outdoors really is a nice option (though personally I use flash then too).

There's a technique called "shotgun" lighting which you can use with a single small flash and large group in a small room. Basically you put the light to the side and catch them in the cone of light. But it's pretty techie. Google may help with diagrams.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Thanks ;)

Ah "a lot of people". That might be tricky. In the UK in winter it's hard to shoot a group of more than say 3 people by available light. Outdoors really is a nice option (though personally I use flash then too).

There's a technique called "shotgun" lighting which you can use with a single small flash and large group in a small room. Basically you put the light to the side and catch them in the cone of light. But it's pretty techie. Google may help with diagrams.
Click to expand...

I will check out the technique. But i have a feeling it will be too far advanced for me! I can't get my flash off camera...I don't have the equipment :(
I think it's going to be a case of achieve what I can and hope it's ok.
I might see if I can buy a softbox before the shoot...if I can talk hubby into it!!
 
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