keith_a._enix Posted February 9, 2000 Share Posted February 9, 2000 Howdy All, <p> First of all, thanks Shawn for what looks like the makings of a terrific forum. My question, I would like to shoot a portrait by candlelight. This is for a class project. (Second class in a series of three Black and White). Where do I start? A grey card in front of my models face, meter off that and then bracket around that? Is there a rule of thumb that I can use or what? Another question, we have to use an alternative camera for a different project. Would I have a ghost of a chance getting a similar image using a Holga? <p> Thanks again,Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twmeyer Posted February 9, 2000 Share Posted February 9, 2000 yep and yep. Grey card sounds good to me, and a fast lens/film combo or if a soft image would be acceptable, just design it to be graphically strong. You could use a tripod and have a soft (mysterious) figure with a sharp set. Explore different gestures. Watch out for streaky catchlights in the eyes, they will set the mood of the image. The holga doesn't have much of a close focus possibility, but it does have "B"... t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith_enix Posted February 9, 2000 Share Posted February 9, 2000 Me Again, <p> Sorry, I had a brain fart when I entered my e-mail address on my original posting. This one has the correct address. Thanks Tom. I am going to try the shot tomorrow night. <p> Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward_kang Posted February 9, 2000 Share Posted February 9, 2000 Why not just set up the tripod, and bracket a few shots off the metered reading off the model's face? <p> The grey card will just leave you more confused, IMHO. <p> You can get a similar image using a holga, but it's not going to be anywhere near the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_elliot Posted February 9, 2000 Share Posted February 9, 2000 Metering in very low light conditions may be impossible with a grey card. You may be forced to use a white card and adjust accordingly. Approximations: 400iso 1/15 sec f/2 <p> cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn_stupidpost Posted February 10, 2000 Share Posted February 10, 2000 ...if you really want Holgaesqueness (you mean Richter, right? "Helga" I thought--I'm not awake yet...) how bout long exposure under flourescent lighting? This would have to be done with colour film obviously, but you could print in BW for your project, no? <p> Or am I just missing Holga in my brain? <p> Georgia? geOrgia? GeOOOrrrGia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakari_makela Posted February 10, 2000 Share Posted February 10, 2000 My Holga doesn't have "B". f/8 with two settings: sunny or cloudy. 1/100 s is the only time. the closest focusing distance is about 5 feet. Not very appropriate for close-up portraits in candlelight. But if you really want, pressing the shutter 100 times gives total exposure of one second, maybe enough.... <p> Metering is no problem - as usual, meter off the face and give one stop more exposure, if skin tone is caucasian. The same in sunlight or in candlelight. <p> If you want the candle in the same picture, double exposure is the best method. Expose for the candle (meter off an area very close the candle, but not the candle included), overshadow the candle with a black card (or a hat...) in front of the lens and expose for the face. The result can be really nice. <p> Sakari Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan engelhardt Posted February 10, 2000 Share Posted February 10, 2000 <P>This has also been discussed on the photo.net Q&A forum, you can find a thread <A HREF="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0004vP">her e</A>, while <A HREF="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000jCr">thi s thread</A> discusses how to use fill-in flash without ruining the atmosphere (but since you are doing B&W it might be less relevant to you).</P> <P>If you can't do Polaroids, then use a light meter. Bracket widely: film is cheap, models are not.</P> <P>Sorry, I have no clue what a Holga is...</P> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn_stupidpost Posted February 11, 2000 Share Posted February 11, 2000 re: Holga. oops. and: what the heck is Holga? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_groberg Posted February 11, 2000 Share Posted February 11, 2000 Holga is a plastic camera that takes 120 film. You can get them for $12 to $18. Some folks thing that they are the cats pajamas because thay are so flawed & you never really know how the images will come out.... go figure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_spirer1 Posted February 11, 2000 Share Posted February 11, 2000 Click <a href=http://www.slip.net/~harrisj/gall2.htm>here</a> for a site with Holga photos. Not much in the way of people shots and a few seem to be missing, but there's some good shots anyway. <p> It's just another tool, an agent of seredipity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triblett_lungre_thurd Posted February 11, 2000 Share Posted February 11, 2000 if you decide to use 3200 delta with your holga make sure and wrap the entire camera (except the lens) in gaffers tape to a thickness of 1/2"....then when you're finished take the camera outside and smash it against the pavement to retrieve the roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan engelhardt Posted February 13, 2000 Share Posted February 13, 2000 <P>You are going to go through all the trouble of getting a model, setting up the scene with candlelights and everything, and then you'll shoot it with a plastic camera??? You must be a student. And completely mad. <P>(Ah! You said "class project". I guess you are. A student, that is. <TT>:-)</TT>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triblett_lungre_thurd Posted February 14, 2000 Share Posted February 14, 2000 no Sakari....serious photogs use no less than 8x10 view cameras and never under any circumstances use filters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan engelhardt Posted February 14, 2000 Share Posted February 14, 2000 What's a lens? Pinhole cameras rule! <p> Especially those that require a big truck to move around. (What was the name of that woman who took portraits with a truck-mounted pinhole camera one some silly film format?) <p> (PS: I was only joking in my previous post.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith_enix Posted February 15, 2000 Share Posted February 15, 2000 Yes Allan, I am completely mad!! No offense taken whatsoever. I guess my original posting was a little confusing. The original shot will be done with my Nikon. The Holga question was more of a curiosity. This class requires a number of technical assignments along with a final portfolio. One of the tech. assignments is to use an alternative camera. My instructor specified a Holga, and since I would already be set up with the candles and all, I just wondered if it might work. By the way, the model becomes the Mrs. in May, so she is getting used to being the subject of my photographic madness! <p> Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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