Ok, so I am a HUGE lover of natural light. It’s what I use 99% of the time. But for that 1% (really, I have no idea my percentage, but its small) I need something else. I have had many people ask about photographing products in the evening. Kids are in bed, its quiet time, and the natural light is gone. I’m going to talk about a few options for you today to create light when natural light isn’t available.
1. Dedicated flash
Right now, I have a dedicated flash. I show people at my workshops that my Canon 5D doesn’t even have a pop up flash–not even an option for me! I have a hot shoe at the top of my camera ready to receive my Canon speedlight 580 EX flash when I need it. Sadly, I know I don’t use it to its full potential. I just pop it on, turn it ON and shoot.
Before this, I had a 430 flash, but found it wasn’t as powerful. The cool thing about the Canon 580 (and comparable Nikon SB 800) is that it can be used as a slave, or off camera light, if you ever do set ups with backdrops and studio lighting. The dedicated flash also has a swivel top up and down and right and left.
When I use it, I am often bouncing that light off of the ceiling. Seems like an odd concept (did to me at first) but light actually bounces! It just diffuses the light a bit so it isn’t so harsh. It really is prettier. I purchased a lightsphere a few years ago that also works as a diffuser.
In my example below, image #1 I bounced the light off of the low ceiling straight up. It bounced back down in an uneven patter. #2, I bounced my light at an angle and it was prettier, but still dark. Image #3, I used my lightsphere and put the diffuser cap on and pointed it straight towards my subject for nice pretty light.
These lamps are used to simulate natural light. I have never used these, but have heard great things about them. This seams like a great option to use for those bloggers wanting to take pictures in the evening and show off their product well. They provide controlled light during the day or night. (Lots of people who live in gloomy cities also like these to boost their mood that comes from dreary days–has been recognized as an effective therapy in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder). They are fairly affordable starting at $29 depending on the lamp.
Here is a great option I found.
3. Lightscoop I just heard about this, but the lightscoop is a little attachment that can be placed on top of your pop up camera flash to diffuse the light upward. I do have my 20D that I will use the pop up flash when its all I have, and for $30, I’d say its worth a try…examples on their site.
I hope this gives some of you some different options when it comes to photographing people or things at night. I would love to hear feedback on these if you have it!
**Amy here…On Kristen Duke Photography Site, she has posted the pictures she took of my family when she was out here for a visit.
I’d love for you to check them out if you are interested.
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TidyMom says
great post Kristen! I have the lightscoop and love it for $30!! it allows me to get pictures that I would other wise miss because I didn’t want to use my on camera flash……..I’ve even used it a few times for food shots with great success!
I also have a a few natural light bulbs that I use in clamp on lamps…..they work great too, I just hate setting it all up, but worth it for food shots in the winter.
I’m working on getting a speedlight and lightsphere…..I think those will give me the best results with the most flexibility.
would you mind posting sometime about camera settings when using the speedlight?
Kristen Duke Photography says
I was on the same settings for all 3: iso 400, f2.8 with a shutter of 1/200. Hope that helps!
The lightscoop is awesome! I use it on my canon rebel and it has saved so many indoor photos. Especially during the winter when there isn’t much natural light to be found in overcast and grey Oregon.
I need to get this, just learned about it!
I have a question!! How do you take pictures at night. I recently went to Lantern Floating Hawaii and I was so perplexed on how to get a very good picture of the lanterns floating. I suck at this but with your help I am sure to learn a few things here and there I have already with your e-book. But it’s the night time events that I really suck at. Fourth of July is coming and well I’d like to get a good picture of fireworks. I have a Sony A200 which I know is not the best but it works for me at the moment since I am just taking pictures as a hobby not as to become a full on professional like yourself. :) So if you could help me out I’d appreciate it.
Patti–I haven’t done a lot at night, but you will likely need a tripod because you will need to leave your shutter open longer and you’d get camera shake otherwise. I have been meaning to do a post like this, but it takes more prep work! Thanks for the nudge;)
Light bounces. Hmm, that’s very interesting. I’m off to look at that lightscoop because I do need something to help with the shocking light from flash. Thank you!
Yes indeed…a fascinating concept when I learned it;)
Hi, thanks for the post. I photograph cakes that I make mainly, well and the kids, and the dog … you get the idea. I don’t have a proper light diffuser for my Canon EOS 300D, so instead (and I have doing this for years) I wrap a regular Kleenex tissue around my pop-up flash and fix it there with a rubber band! Seriously. Fold your tissue many times over until it just covers the front of your flash, wrap the rubber band around and you are done. Works for all programs or aperture priority. It just takes the edge off and softens the light making it more natural. I don’t use it all the time, as I do prefer natural light, but if I need a filler it’s great. Check out my Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetscarletcupcakes/
Thanks for this great post. I’ve been wanting that lightscope for awhile now!
Amen to all the raves about the Lightscoop! I bought one thinking I was thiiiiis close to buying by first DSLR. Lovely unexpected bills came up instead so I went with a $200 ish ultra-zoom type camera. I thought I would have to return the lightscoop but to my delight, it works great! The difference is incredible for inside shots at night. I don’t have a clip on spot for my scoop and have to manually hold it in place, but holy cow: amazing, amazing results. Beautiful soft light, even reflection, no harsh white or ugly florescent light. Love it. My most recent blog post has (a bunch of lame-o pictures) but a couple shots of a portrait of George Washington hanging on my wall. The shot was at 11 pm in a terribly lit living room, but it still turned out amazing. Best $30 ever, even if I have to hold it in place. :)
I just checked out your pictures! They are darling!!! Such a beautiful family :) I love the outfit choices.
very helpful post! i’m used to the idea of the big tripod lights and reflectors in photography studios but i can’t have big things like that in my tiny terrace house! i’m definitely gonna look into these products :)
Thanks for the tip on the light scoop! I think one would work for my camera. I’m wondering if my hubby has a light sphere for his SLR… I’ll have to see if I can go find what one is.
Okay, I don’t think he has one (he might have the square one I saw, but not a round one.) I think his Cannon 420EX is his main flash but he also has a Cannon 580EXII – if you have any tips on what I should look for in a light sphere. There seem to be some different styles!