How can I light a model holding a candle in front of a dimly lit aquarium pool?
Asked 2/11/2019
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I want to photograph a model holding a candle in front of a dimly lit aquarium pool with large fish in the background. The goal is to keep the pool looking natural while giving the model a soft, warm look that still feels motivated by the candle. I’ll be using a full-frame camera with a 24-70mm f/2.8 and can place an off-camera flash on a stand. What shooting and lighting approach would work best, and are there any useful tricks for dealing with reflections from the aquarium glass?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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"Low Key" has little to do with the lighting... it refers to the tones of the resulting image all (or nearly all) being midtone or darker.
From your description I don't think I would plan on using flash at all... consider the possibility of compositing two images so that you can get the right balance of the exposures.
Originally by user70370. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user70370
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
There isn’t a single correct camera/flash setting here — it depends on the actual light levels and the look you want. A good approach is:
- Expose the aquarium background first so it keeps its natural dim look.
- Add off-camera flash for the model, rather than relying on candlelight alone.
- Use the softest light you can manage: ideally a large softbox just out of frame, or at least a diffused off-camera flash.
- Warm the flash if needed so it matches the candle feel.
Using only the candle usually means long exposures, high ISO, and possible motion blur. Supplemental flash is the practical way to keep the subject sharp while preserving the background.
If reflections from the aquarium glass are a problem, experiment with placing the flash at an angle to the glass and using a circular polarizer on the lens. This can help reduce direct reflections while still allowing the tank and water to be lit.
Also consider compositing two frames if needed: one exposed for the aquarium and one for the model. That can make balancing the scene much easier in a difficult low-light setup.
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