Chris Hayward
(K=1519) - Comment Date 3/30/2004
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Mike -
Can you give us some more information? Is the problem the light intensity (not bright enough), light color (temperature), or light coverage (too many harsh shadows etc)? Do you need color? Do you have to cover the whole arena or will you be doing 'one horse shows'? I know nothing about horses -- is there a chance a high intensity strobe will bother them (and their rider)? Is this a one time project where rentals might be a possibility or is this a long term problem?
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Lynda Kuit
(K=707) - Comment Date 3/30/2004
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As an ex-horse rider, I'd definitely stay away from strobe lighting, especially if it is a competitive event. You wouldn't want to be responsible for someone losing the competition :-)
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Mike George
(K=3429) - Comment Date 3/31/2004
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I'm not quite sure how to explain what I have been told since I have not done so myself. At most newer arenas (think hockey & football), they actually have a setup in the overhead lighting system for the professional photographers to hook to. At hockey games, pros can plug a cord into their cameras right next to the board and trigger a flash built into the lights. Like I said, I have not done this, but have had 3 local photographers explain this to me and have done so in St. Louis. My suggestion is to call the facility you will be shooting in. If it is reasonably new, they might have the same setup. If they don't have a similiar setup, try 800 or 1600 Fugi film. I have had great results at night and indoor events with them and have successfully had the 800 pushed to 1600 without any increase in grain. Hope this helps.
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Michael Kramer
(K=566) - Comment Date 3/31/2004
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This is an ongoing project. I am taking these pictures in my own arena. The existing lights consist of mercury vapor lights mounted 18 feeet above the floor. Its hard to explain but these lights are both harsh and dim at the same time. They change colors on objects and generally wash out my photos.
I can setup a photograph area in the arena but it has to be torn down each time we finish. And not to complicate things but eventually I could see using a cloth backdrop to enhance the pictures because the arena walls are white.
As for strobes: the regular single flash unit does not seem to bother them. However multiple flash units going off may but if it did we could train them to it fairly easy.
Thanks for your help!!!
Mike
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Chris Hayward
(K=1519) - Comment Date 3/31/2004
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Ah yes... I am guessing low pressure mercury vapor - like what we use in some of the warehouses and that I find impossible to work under (never mind photographing something). These have a peculiar almost uncorrectable effect on colors. They probably also throw multiple sharp (but perhaps not deep) shadows.
So my understanding is that you really don't have to light the whole arena (you're not after subjects in motion).
You are outside my expertise --- while I can speculate on things like setting up a white tent outside and using daylight for the background source with some 8x8 panel reflectors to boost the light on one side, I think we need to hear from someone who has lit this 'truck sized' kind of object before.
I am interested in the answers you get and what you decide to do.
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Michael Kramer
(K=566) - Comment Date 3/31/2004
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Chris, You are correct. The lights are miserable to photograph in. Auto Focusing systems go nuts under them as well, not that AF is an issue for this project.
Take care,
Mike
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