Hello.
I am a keen photographer and have been asked by my son's school to take some images for their website and prospectus.
Can anyone advise any techniques for setups and best equipment for lighting, as at this time of year, it is more challenging to get bright punchy pictures, the same as in the summer. The other issue is that not all the classrooms have many windows. Any help appreciated.
No offence, but if you need to ask this, you're probably not up to the job. You're asking essentially... how do I light dark spaces and light outdoor shots on dull days. Lighting is a skill learned over quite some time.
What spaces? How big? How do you want them to look?
At least a couple of flashguns used off camera, with or without brollies/softboxes would be an absolute minimum, but ideally something more powerful would be needed, especially if lighting large spaces outdoors.
I've no idea where you'll be working, what images you need, so it's not really easy to advise you. Most prospectuses need a range of images though, from outdoor shots of the school and facilities, to classrooms, libraries, labs etc.... you'll probably need portraits of staff if they've not saleslady got that.. the more editorial shots of students walking down corridors and in front of the entrances while smiling or engaging in conversation... the usual stuff. So you'll have to take lighting gear that's portable, powerful, and flexible. As I said.. a minimum would be a couple of powerful flashguns that can be used off camera and remotely triggered and still offer TTL metering if you want to work fast... or.. have a decent flash meter if you've got no flash gear that can work TTL.
You could try and shot it all with available light, but it will look s**t. Then again, badly used flash by someone with no experience in using it will probably look s**t too.
Go get some practice before going in to do the job if you're inexperienced with flash. I'm reluctant to be more specific as how you light each space will be very different. There's no one way to light "spaces". I also have no idea how you want the images to look.
have they asked for any specific shots, or do they not know?
Just one piece of advice... try not to light the whole of the interiors with flash by just flooding the whole area with flash from the picture taking position. Instead, frame interior shots so there's always space to position flash to the sides so you can mix the flash with whatever daylight is available. Avoid mixing flash with the overhead fluorescents... it usually looks horrible.
