Tips for shooting in manufacturing plant/factory

Hi All

I was asked today by our HR manager at the company I work for to take photos of members at their workstations around the factory and in some offices. The photos are going to be used for customised posters for the company.

As I am used to working with natural light and outdoors, this will prove to be an interesting challenge for me. I am dealing with artificial light from different sources like flourescent tubes and 'mercury vapour bulbs' (I think that is what they are called).

Is there any tips and advice you can give me?

Thanks

Radcliffe

Tags: artificial, factory, indoor, lighting, people

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on September 26, 2010 at 7:46pm

You could use a flash and overpower the indoor lighting or you could shoot raw and adjust the white balance to produce either an accurate or pleasing effect.

Depending on your camera, you may be able to increase ISO to get faster shutter speeds, it depends on how much noise that causes and the means you have of dealing with noise.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Radcliffe on September 26, 2010 at 9:06pm

Thanks ...
I have a speedlite, but I'm concerned that the flash would create an unnatural scene, and the roof is too high to bounce off.
But I definitely will be shooting in RAW.
I guess I'll have to play with my ISO levels then,
Thanks CameraClicker,

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on September 27, 2010 at 2:34am

Definately shoot in RAW, so you can make the necessary corrections to the white balance. Fourescent lighting can play havoc with colors. maybe also use a gray card.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gary Vernon on September 27, 2010 at 6:10am

Why not use off camera diffused flash and a reflector - making your image more pleasing.
If these shots are for posters to promote the company is it not better to get the best results?
Calibrated light correction gels are available for the Speedlight: Roscoe / lee filters / Honi etc..
At the very top end: an Incident Color Meter usually gives you more accurate kelvin readings.
It should be second nature to shoot raw and include a grey card in sequence as a reference in your raw editor.
Best thing would be to take some time the day before to tweak different custom settings so you don't get any nasty surprises..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Radcliffe on September 28, 2010 at 3:56pm

Thanks gents, you've just reminded me about the grey card, I got one last month in one of my magazines, this gives me an opportunity to use it for my first time.
Thanks once again,