Show me your best lighting pictures

Just Whisper · #1 10-04-2010

I have to admit when it comes to lighting my cemetery I fall short. Every year my pictures are terrible. I just can't seem to make my cemetery pop the way I see so many others do. I use spot lights and flood lights and they still look washed out and boring. I know there are a lot of great pictures on here of peoples cemeteries, but it would take me days to go through all the threads and look at all the photos.

I am asking for you to post one or two of your best photos of your cemetery (not all your props) showing some really good lighting. Maybe add a short description of what you used, and whether or not you hide your lighting.

Thanks for helping me.

I am editing this for clarification...I am looking for better ways to light my props, especially my cemetery. NOT better ways to take photographs. However, feel free to make photo suggestions as others seem to be interested in the info. I realize that a lot of your photos are retouched, or use a longer exposure to make your lights looks better. That is all fine. Just please mention that in your description so we know not to have unrealistic expectations when we try to duplicate your lighting technique. Also, I am NOT looking for lighting tutorials. I want you guys to share your knowledge and experience and pics of how creative you are.

Bone Dancer · #2 10-05-2010

http://www.skullandbone.com/index.htm

Here is a link to some good lighting info. It maybe more then you need but there is some good basic information there.

Spider Rider · #3 10-05-2010

Here's my take on cemetery lighting for the last two years. I'm trying something different this year. All of the lights are cfls in clip on hoods. White light from above the columns brings out the texture. Green light inside the columns shines up to the gargoyles. The top third of the columns are open in back and green shines on the tree, bushes and the front stones. Blue cfls from the side and above, light the middle stones and a blue light on the ground behind a headstone lights the fence.

niblique71 · #4 10-05-2010

I just posted these in another thread. I took them yesterday and my haunt is only 30% done. My photograpy skills aren't as good as others and my topography is rather challanging, But I thought the pics came out OK. I've seen SPiders and BD's pics before and they are simply stunning.

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debbie5 · #5 10-05-2010

I can't post pics, but I am very particular about hiding my lighting. Also keep in mind that when we post pics, it loooks NOTHING like the lighting does in real life...

I use a flood for a large side wash of red or blue..then use small LED's (they are actually little tiny lights for under cabinets) to hit each tombstone. I also use real candles in a small section, as it give a nice authentic ambience. Some of the LEDS are color changing ones that cycle thru diff colors. I also use the small LEDS to use as uplights on my house, to show off the skellies climbing there, etc. I put glowsticks under my handrails and at each step up to porch as porch is not brightly illuminated. Will have pics once stuff is up. I try to underlight to keep it creepy.

dynoflyer · #6 10-05-2010

Spider Rider once suggested going out to take photos about an hour before sunset to hit that sweet spot between light and dark, good advice SR. If your camera has a 'night' setting use it and by all means put your camera on a tripod. Take lots of photos so you can choose from different angles. Try putting the camera down low to get a zombie's viewpoint. If you don't already have a photo program try downloading one of the free ones like Google's Picasa, Polybytes Polyview or Gimp 2.6.10 these all have great tools for manipulating your images to get the best result.

I like to use homemade LED spotlights to light up my graveyard instead of floods. I use floods to wash the front of the house in green and pick up shadows from the bushes as a backdrop.

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Just Whisper · #7 10-05-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynoflyer

Spider Rider once suggested going out to take photos about an hour before sunset to hit that sweet spot between light and dark, good advice SR. If your camera has a 'night' setting use it and by all means put your camera on a tripod. Take lots of photos so you can choose from different angles. Try putting the camera down low to get a zombie's viewpoint. If you don't already have a photo program try downloading one of the free ones like Google's Picasa, Polybytes Polyview or Gimp 2.6.10 these all have great tools for manipulating your images to get the best result.

While I did mention that my pics suck, the lighting issue is not really about my getting good pictures. It is about my getting good lighting. I mean, my lighting just sucks in general, even in real life. Thanks for the photo advice though, I will be sure to keep that in mind when I do take my pics. It sounds like good advice.

I am seeing a trend here. Flood lights for general lighting. Lots of individual LEDs for "spot" lighting each stone or prop. Keep those pics coming. I like seeing the different color choices, the way you mixed them, and the way you set your lights (high or low). Thanks again.

One more question...do most of you that use a lot of small LED lights use battery or plug in? Mine are all battery so I won't turn them on until about a week before Halloween.

dynoflyer · #8 10-05-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Whisper

One more question...do most of you that use a lot of small LED lights use battery or plug in? Mine are all battery so I won't turn them on until about a week before Halloween.

I got tired and broke buying 9V batteries, I only use AC adapters now. Ask your neighbors to save old phone chargers, etc. The IT guys in the office usually have a pile of them and are glad to get rid of them. Best thing about AC is putting them on a light sensor/timer and they go on by themselves.

halloween71 · #9 10-16-2010

I don't know what happened.I fret over the lighting every year ..this year I just set the lights out and it worked great.
I use led floodsaround 12 -1 reg white flood-flicker tea candles around 8-and 2 electric fliker candles.
Here is one of my pictures.

Just Whisper · #10 10-16-2010

Those look good so far. Thanks everyone. Using your advice my lighting looking better so far. Dynoflyer, thanks. I already have a box filled with adapters. I always save mine when I throw any old appliance away.