Metering a sunrise shoot at a crowded viewpoint?

[cfimages]

Hi, I hope I've asked this in the right place.

 

Next weekend, I'm planning a couple of days shooting at one of

Taiwan's more popular mountain parks. And one of the things that all

tourists there do, is get up for sunrise. And, a lot of people go

there - think 500-1000 at the sunrise viewpoint. 99% of them with

digicams, and 99% using their digicam's built-in flash.

 

Now, I know how to meter for your typical mountain sunrise. I'm not

asking for basic tips on that - I have plenty of experience in that.

What I don't have, is experience when there are 500-1000 flashes

firing at the same time. Is that going to affect anything in my

set-up? Would, for example, stray light from other peoples flashes,

manage to fool my camera's metering system (Canon 20D, with 17-40L and

70-200f4L BTW)?

 

Naturally, I'll try and find a spot to shoot from that's away from the

crowds, but I'm not sure how possible this will be.

 

Hope this question is clear, thanks in advance.

 

Craig

[kaiblanke]

Since the guide number of these flashes is pretty low I guess you will not see much if any influence of these on your picture if the closest object in focus is about 10-15m away. Just try to keep the people out of the picture and the results should be pretty fine.

 

I did not try it with a sunrise, but took quite a bit pictures at night with digicam-shooters around and the influence of the little flashes was pretty neglectable.

[frank uhlig]

The best similar experience is the Rose Parade: sunny and everybody flashes the floats that are 50 feet away.

 

Simple answer: do not worry. (If you are shooting thr clouds, and the horizon. There will be no measurable light added by the flashes.)

 

Now a much more interesting shot would be to shoot the shooters, i.e., walk off/down a bit from the highest point and turn around; compose (with your own flash, if needed ) and take a pic of the photogs, 10 of them all in raptures at ... Good luck!

[alex_lofquist]

I wonder if you are referring to Sun Moon Lake? If so, there shouldn't be any problem finding a locale to shoot from. When I was last there there were crowds but never a real problem. It is a beautiful area.

[rob_murray]

Use a lens hood, no problem.. Maybe the better shot is of the photographers shooting the sunrise...

[cfimages]

Thanks guys, good info to know. I'll try a shot are two of the shooters as well.

 

Alex, it's Alishan that I'm going to, not Sun Moon Lake.

[beauh44]

Take a shot. Check the histogram. Adjust if necessary. Shoot RAW. Bracket. That's all there is to it! ;-)

[salvatore.mele]

Use a long exposure time and a wide angle to shoot the photographers from below... you'll

get lot's of funny flashes like fallen stars in front of some sunlit background (if any).

[laurie_m]

Shooting the shooters-Not exactly my best work but a fun "snapshot" from my recent trip<div></div>

[jdrose]

Great shot, Laurie.