large tent, how to light

[arjen van de merwe]

<p>I have been asked to make promo photos of a huge tent that can hold up to 1200 people for a conference or dinner (or even wedding). This is far to big for my limited lighting equipment, and there is almost nothing for rent in the little remote African country I work in. Anyway, it will be very difficult to place lights, as the whole place should be visible in the overall shots. Available light is not very good. Any ideas how I can make this work?<img src="http://s51.beta.photobucket.com/user/arjenvdm/media/conference-marquis-7763.jpg.html" alt="" /><br>

http://s51.beta.photobucket.com/user/arjenvdm/media/conference-marquis-7763.jpg.html</p>

[sheldonnalos]

<p>Composite image? </p>

<p>Set up your shot on a tripod, get a base level exposure for the room. Shoot multiple images with strobe, moving the light around the room to backlight the individual tables for better definition. Layer everything together in photoshop. </p>

[arjen van de merwe]

<p>Thanks. Yeah, thought of that. Big job, but maybe the only way. To get it right I need to test first, and I don't have a room big enough for that.</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>When you say the available light isn't good - are you talking about indoors or outdoors?</p>

[jcuknz]

<p>If you are careful how you direct your lights they will not be apparent from the camera position<br>

If you shoot film it is more likely that painting with light with a long exposure will work and save PP time.</p><div></div>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>If the tent is translucent, how about shooting it at night and "painting" it with multiple flash pops from outside? Sounds like you'll have to use a painting with light technique anyway.</p>

[arjen van de merwe]

<p>Thank you all.<br>

The tent is not translucent.<br>

I am talking about the interior. The exterior is not really a problem.I can use early morning sunlight for it.<br>

You can see the available light at the quicky test photo at the link in my post. It is not too bad, but I'd like something more spectacular.<br>

Painting with light is risky: I have no experience in such a big space, and I have no big space available to practice. Of course I will make regular pix with available light to be sure to have something, but if the client puts in money, I'm going to have to come up with something good.<br>

I could try painting with light at night, so I have less daylight interfering when I use a long exposure. My camera goes to 30 secs max, but I can overlay multiple exposures.<br>

JC: why is film better for painting with light? </p>

[studio460]

<p>A tripod and a long enough exposure should do the trick if you light the interior with any kind of continuous light source (even just bare incandescent bulbs).</p>