any tips for evening outdoor film photography shoot?

Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 16

hey, I'm a relatively inexperienced photography student.

i am working on a project that will shoot photos of people posing on outdoor basketball courts.

i would like a gloomy feel so i plan to shoot around dusk.

im not sure if i should use a flash, silver light reflectors, i dont think the lighting equipment at school will work since i'm pretty sure most have to be plugged in unless i am mistaken.

film recommendations? it is in color...though you never know, i might decide to do black and white too if i like the concept, so advice for that is welcome too!

thanks you in advance. i really appreciate it---complete novice here

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:07 am

If you're shooting around dusk, b&w may be a good move because the colour temp will be changing rapidly and that becomes an issue with colour film.

For a contrasty, stark feel, you'd probably want to go for low ISO b&w film and maybe even throw on a yellow filter. The film choice might be delta or acros 100.

If you want a more ambiguous, muted, gloomy feel, then you may want less contrast, in which case I'd go for higher ISO b&w film. With ISO 100, you'll find that suddenly you suddenly just can't shot anymore, whereas at ISO 800 you can do all kinds of things as the available light changes. And working with available light, you may be able to get by with only fill flash or perhaps no flash at all. If you can mount your flash off camera at lowish angle, that might be best, it might give you more texture in the face, whereas head-on flashing tends to produce centered hotspots. Especially if the ambient light is weak.

You can go right up to ISO 800, say, by pushing delta 400 one stop, or something like that. The grain may work for your project, I dunno. You may also consider pulling delta 3200 to 1600 or even to 800.

With ISO 800 you should be able to work with rather wide apertures. Just thinking about a subject with a blurred out fence in the background, it could be quite effective.

Note that if you want an isolated feel, you can put some really stark lights on the court and shoot at night. Really high power halogen work lights might do it, something like that.

Just some stray thoughts. I think Tuna can advise, you might ask him.

:) keithwms

Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 16

wow. thanks a bunch! i truly appreciate it

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:17 pm

Personally I would go with the very high ISO route--1600 to 3200, I might even consider 6400.

This will allow a high shutter speed and decently small f/stops for good depth of field.

The film will be very grainy and when pushed film will frequently get a bit contrasty. An interesting effect.

If you are shooting b & w I would try for ISO 800 to 1600 (Tri-X or Tmax with a 1 or 2 stop push). Also very grainy (but not as grainy as you might think).

Also pay attention to the "rest" periods. Sweat and exhaustion are good to catch on film.