24 replies to this topic

[Ron]

Not too shabby!

 

Considering the pressure you were under and the fact that you were learning as you go, I think you did pretty well. Yeah, it would be better without the shadows and the purple door is a distraction (although, it kind of balances with the net and backboard on the other side) as well but given the circumstances those are nitpicks.

 

--Ron

[leighgion]

I think you did fine considering, yeah.

 

Regarding the shadows, there's not a lot you could have done under the circumstances as both obvious solutions weren't very viable in that environment and with your budget.

 

Having your light sources higher up would have dropped the shadows lower and out of sight, but hobbyist portable light stands only go so high and in a gym there wasn't likely any other places to mount your lights.

 

Normally, the simple way to eliminate those shadows would have been doing some bouncing of the light, but again, you were in a gym so no handy low white ceiling or walls to help you out. 

 

There's ways to get rid of those shadows in a big space like a gym, but you're looking at an investment in additional lighting gear and assistants that a "hobbyist parent working for free" budget just doesn't cover. You won't want to invest in giant, tilt-adjustable reflectors unless they're bringing in some income. 

[leighgion]

OK, I brainstormed a couple viable methods that could have worked to eliminate those shadows on the parental volunteer budget.

 

The most simple method would to have just had a couple helpers, the taller the better, to grab your tripods and hold them up higher. Even if you didn't have the tallest assistants, you'd easily get each speedlight up another four feet and get a much more favorable angle of light to get rid of the shadows. If stepladders, chairs or other height-enhancing resources were available, you could throw them into the mix.

 

A slightly more elaborate, but still budget-friendly method would be to have a couple helpers implement a reflector system. There are very economical foldable reflectors, or you could make do with a couple big pieces of white cardboard. The idea would be to have your assistants stand on stepladders or chairs and hold the reflectors high up as possible while angling them to reflect light down onto the players. Aim your speedlights at the reflectors and you've got not only a more favorable angled light, but softer too. 

[dcbear78]

Help to remove shadows...

Move the people away from the wall.

Move lights closer so they are not on as high a power levels. That way light will fall off faster. But the lights might be more directional.

Move lights higher.

Also light the background.

All have effects that may not be desired. But are ways to alleviate the shadow.

[nikdood17]

I got into this late and could not offer any advice. But let me say I think you did a whiz-bang job, considering the circumstances. I've done a million of these things and they are not as easy as they look until you have done a few. The kids and the coach look great, and you got the bear. I think you hit a home run.

I once took a photo of Ann Margaret giving a surprise kiss to John Wayne (they had starred in a movie together). Fabulous shot except the shutter speed (on a film camera) was set wrong and I only got half of Ann Margaret. I suppose I could photoshop the back of her head because the only thing that is missing is part of her hairdo.

But the point is, stuff happens. You done good.