Working with Constant Light

2021 is here, and I hope for all of us that this year is better than last year for us. During the holidays, I got the chance to go to the city I enjoy, and thanks to Procam, it gave me a reason to go to Chicago. Procam put on a Photowalk of part of the city. So much fun to do what you enjoy and watch what other Photographers are doing. For me, I got the chance to do things I always wanted to do but never did it. Working with lights other than flash, Work with human-made environmental light or constant light. Other than the moon or sun.

Model in Chicago.

Model in Chicago.

We all met at a location, and we talked about the photo walk. The walk was to work on your portrait shooting and/or Landscape. In the beginning, I was doing both. But in the end, I leaned more toward portrait shooting and working with the models that were provided for us. Take the example above. I started using an advertising sign that was changing all of the time. For me, I was patient and waited for the colors that I wanted to see. Once that color showed. Click went my shutter.

Behind the scene Constant light.

Behind the scene Constant light.

As you can see in the behind the scene picture, the light was very big and all LED. I watched the light for a few minutes to see what light it was giving, and then as I said before, I waited for the opportunity for the picture I wanted. Working with constant light is like working with any other light. Wait for the light, what direction, and what color it is. Using my Canon EOS R with a 1.2 50mm lens helps me with several things. Keep my ISO down, keep my camera speed up for hand-holding, and last give me that soft look that most people enjoyed. Put in focus what I wanted and get rid of the distraction.

I said earlier I was doing both Landscape and Portrait. After this picture, and quickly switched out the lens for a wide-angle lens, put the camera on a tripod, and then started taking pictures at slow shutter speeds of the city. I will share more of this and more working with the models.

The question was brought up about using high ISO and noise. The answer is straightforward, take the noise versus taking an out of focus pictures. Yes, it nice to have a fast lens, and being a wedding photographer and commercial, I bout these expensive lenses for the low light. I have to admit that I have not done a lot of shooting using 1.2, but I did this because it calls practice and learning. You may get the portfolio shot you are looking for. I got a few for the evening that I was happy with.

Thanks, Procam, and I look forward to joining you again. Happy New Year. And keep shooting.