Using candlelight as only background light, I'm stumped

[chris_peters4]

<p>I have been asked to shoot a interesting set, the model is only backlit by candlelight and/or firelight. Possible half silhouette doing this as well. I am not sure as to how to do this. I am not supposed to use any flash at all. I would be doing the shoot using a Nikon D40 and have the following lenses : a 50mm 1.8. a 70-300 1:4-5.6 and a 18-55 lens. I could use all the tips or suggestions you can give as I'm a little stumped on it. Thanks all!</p>

[bob_sunley]

<p>Long exposure. :) Practice tonite in a dark room with one candle, or maybe a dozen. The 50 1.8 is your best bet for shorter exposures. You will need a tripod too.</p>

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[Matt Laur]

<p>What is the purpose of the photograph, and how will it be displayed (and how large)?<br /><br />When it comes to dim available light stuff like that, you're into the problems associated with some mix shallow depth of field, motion blur, and/or high ISO noise. Knowing more about what you're needing to accomplish will help to dictate where to make compromises, or propose some other strategies. For example, it's quite possible to gel a flash and use it for a <em>very</em> subtle bit of fill while still using a long enough exposure to properly capture the ambient lighting mood. <br /><br />Consider reflectors, too.</p>

[tobiasfeltus]

<p>I just shot a self-portrait by candle light the other night, and found it really pleasing and exciting. I have no idea, however, how a digital sensor will deal with the color cast.<br>

Have a look www.flickr.com/tobiasfeltus<br>

t</p>

[howard_m]

<p>frankly, I think you oughta get some orange or red gels and gel-up a flash unit on low power</p>

[rjlewis]

<p>Tobias,<br>

Very nice. The second is beautiful.</p>

[greg_reinacker]

<p>I wrote a blog post a while back on simulating candle light with strobe, in order to work around some of the obvious issues with shooting at such low light levels. You said no flash, so this might not apply for you, but I thought I'd include a link in case it's helpful...<br>

<a href="http://www.gregrphoto.com/blog/2006/12/21/simulated-candlelight/">http://www.gregrphoto.com/blog/2006/12/21/simulated-candlelight/</a></p>

[mrstubbs]

<p>In the frame attached (a single exposure) time was used to capture the candle "flame" eg:...1 second at 6.3, 50iso. The overall scene was lit via strobe..the strobe was set according to the aperture, to give an exposure covering a full tone range over the rest of the scene.<br /> You could make the same frame, with a darker scene, by exposing for the candle with the speed, and controlling ambient light for the scene to illuminate the scene to your taste/requirement.<br /> The correct exposure for a candle "flame" will always be the same. (a bit like exposing for the moon..the moon follows the sunny sixteen rule)</p>

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[alonzo_e]

<p>With a D40 you are going to have to use some kind of flash. I would opt for a flash unit on low and a real long exposure using your 50mm. I would set everything on manual (including the flash) and work the flash up from the smallest power setting and the camera set to expose at least 1/3 of a second. Oh, and you must use a tripod..</p>

[chris_peters4]

<p>Thank you all for the replies! I will be trying several things this weekend to see what I can do. The photos are a gift to a soldier overseas from his wife so I want them to be perfect for him</p>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>I agree with the use of flash or additional foreground lighting. How a photo looks and what tools we as photg's use to get there are to different things. Just because you use a small amount of flash does not mean the photo has to look like it. flash can be bounced off ceilings or lite panels or difused with a sheet...</p>

[cohencapture]

<p>its certinaly doable... you will need candle/ lighter, tripod and possibly a remote release.<br>

model must stand still (Although, some are formistakes, and mistakes are just experimenting in our world, no?)<br>

use the flame to light the subject, stationary if u like and then move them... if you want to end itsomewhere and not make a trail, blow it out.<br>

heres some of my examples<br>

<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CohenCapture/UnholyFortune?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_26jV4V-1xo0/Sxf5AgwXNqE/AAAAAAAAC78/UZgI-M7Rvxs/s160-c/UnholyFortune.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CohenCapture/UnholyFortune?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Unholy Fortune</a></td></tr></table></p>

[cohencapture]

<p>Example:<br>

http://picasaweb.google.com/CohenCapture/UnholyFortune?feat=directlink<br>

 

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-27W33vzLzx_JWHZlTRmSA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_26jV4V-1xo0/Sxf5BIi_uFI/AAAAAAAAB4U/xmdciTHmCpQ/s144/DSC_0411.JPG" alt="" /> </a></td>

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<td >From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CohenCapture/UnholyFortune?feat=embedwebsite">Unholy Fortune</a></td>

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GlVeR6w1oKFcYz8xNrWqTg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_26jV4V-1xo0/Sxf5BhvZJHI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/dJPRkAs4ZYw/s144/DSC_0695.JPG" alt="" /> </a></td>

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<td >From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CohenCapture/UnholyFortune?feat=embedwebsite">Unholy Fortune</a></td>

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