NEC Lighting?

[GolfGT]

What setting is best to use at the nec, going there on friday and I know they have yellow tube lights. Do I change it to white balance?
Any help is gratefull.

[mrmr96]

Take a piece of white paper or card and use it to set a custom white balance.
HTH

[mrmr96]

The other obvious solution is to shoot in RAW and set the white balance later. (RAW is a big file, captures loads of info as it's more or less what comes straight off the sensor. Hence less in camera processing. You convert the RAW files to JPG files using a computer and you can set the whitebalance and a load of other parameters at this point.)

[CivicMan]

It's a real mix there. Seems to be tungsten, fluorescent, daylight all at the same time:



This was the classic car show in Nov. This pic is of a silver car:



so lighting looks predominantly tungsten.

[Simpo Two]

I would use Auto WB and/or shoot RAW as suggested. That would also allow you to create multiple results with different WBs and composite them if you wished.

As for file size, I find that a RAW file is not much bigger than a large fine JPG with lots of detail.

[mrmr96]

Don't use Auto white balance. It's generally rubbish.

[Simpo Two]

mrmr96 said:

Don't use Auto white balance. It's generally rubbish.

At this point it's important to note that every photographer has their own way of working. For example, while you're lining up on your piece of cardboard to take a custom WB reading, I'm getting the shot. I can then take another in a different direction, while you'll be pointing at cardboard again because the colour temperature is different over there.

Note that for all paid work I shoot RAW, so WB isn't an issue

[agent006]

mrmr96 said:

Don't use Auto white balance. It's generally rubbish.

Rather a sweeping staement, especially given nobody has mentioned even a camera brand let alone model.

[tinman0]

GolfGT said:

What setting is best to use at the nec, going there on friday and I know they have yellow tube lights. Do I change it to white balance?
Any help is gratefull.

white paper and custom white balance, and done regularly. most important thing for NEC is a tripod. the lighting will be dinghy at best and a tripod will save you having to push to high iso. each hall has different lighting, and many stands have their own lighting.

also, take a picture with purpose and people will go round you. act like an amateur and people will walk in front and not notice you.

[Simpo Two]

tinman0 said:

most important thing for NEC is a tripod. the lighting will be dinghy at best and a tripod will save you having to push to high iso.

Nice idea - sharp cars, blurry ethereal people etc. But will a tripod flag you as 'pro' and get the security men running over?

[GolfGT]

agent006 said:

mrmr96 said:

Don't use Auto white balance. It's generally rubbish.

Rather a sweeping staement, especially given nobody has mentioned even a camera brand let alone model.

Sorry a200 sony

[tinman0]

Simpo Two said:

tinman0 said:

most important thing for NEC is a tripod. the lighting will be dinghy at best and a tripod will save you having to push to high iso.

Nice idea - sharp cars, blurry ethereal people etc. But will a tripod flag you as 'pro' and get the security men running over?

I've never had any problems.

Tripod does make you stick out somewhat, but it does tend to get a bit more respect from the punters.

I did have a play around with a graded neutral density at the Classic Car Show which was interesting. I wanted to tone down the fuss in the background a little and it kinda worked. I managed to crop every picture I took of the GT40 though...doh.

[CivicMan]

tinman0 said:

most important thing for NEC is a tripod.

....yes, if you want to irritate the tits off everyone trying to walk around the stands and who have to negotiate their way around you. This is a BUSY show.

[big dub]

I'll be going on Saturday and have a Sony A350. I don't fancy carrying a bit of white card around so will be using auto WB. Not sure about a tripod? I don't have any type of photography software ie PS, so is it worth shooting in RAW? I haven't yet, just in jpeg.

[GolfGT]

big dub said:

I'll be going on Saturday and have a Sony A350. I don't fancy carrying a bit of white card around so will be using auto WB. Not sure about a tripod? I don't have any type of photography software ie PS, so is it worth shooting in RAW? I haven't yet, just in jpeg.

I like what your thinking not keen using a piece of white card and dont have a tripod, but i have cs2 photoshop. have fun and thanks for all your help will make a note and have a play with camera on friday

[tinman0]

CivicMan said:

tinman0 said:

most important thing for NEC is a tripod.

....yes, if you want to irritate the tits off everyone trying to walk around the stands and who have to negotiate their way around you. This is a BUSY show.

When you've paid the best part of £30 to get in, asking for other people to give you a spare moment to make the shot isn't too much to ask, especially since they will also be taking pictures themselves. There is a certain amount of give and take. Also, Friday will be quieter than the weekend anyway.

[mrmr96]

big dub said:

I'll be going on Saturday and have a Sony A350. I don't fancy carrying a bit of white card around so will be using auto WB. Not sure about a tripod? I don't have any type of photography software ie PS, so is it worth shooting in RAW? I haven't yet, just in jpeg.

If your camera can shoot raw then I expect it came with software to convert RAW to jpeg.
I still wouldn't use auto WB at the NEC. I've done it before and been disappointed.
Your call though, obviously. You asked for advice and this is mine.

Best of luck whatever you choose to do.

[Simpo Two]

big dub said:

I'll be going on Saturday and have a Sony A350. I don't fancy carrying a bit of white card around so will be using auto WB. Not sure about a tripod? I don't have any type of photography software ie PS, so is it worth shooting in RAW? I haven't yet, just in jpeg.

RAW processing is a subject in itself; you will need some kind of software to turn the files into JPG images. You may have basic software supplied with your camera - check first and do a test before shooting RAW otherwise you'll end up with files you can't use and pictures you can't see... RAW gives you much more control but it is a jump in learning.

[tinman0]

big dub said:

I'll be going on Saturday and have a Sony A350. I don't fancy carrying a bit of white card around so will be using auto WB. Not sure about a tripod? I don't have any type of photography software ie PS, so is it worth shooting in RAW? I haven't yet, just in jpeg.

Use a white shirt if you don't want to carry a bit of paper. Doesn't even have to be on your back

If you aren't going for a custom WB, then take a test shot occasionally and set tungsten or fluorescent and see which is best. It is worth making the extra effort as otherwise vast numbers of your shots will have a horrible yellow tainting to them and renders them near worthless.

[CivicMan]

Simpo Two said:

big dub said:

I'll be going on Saturday and have a Sony A350. I don't fancy carrying a bit of white card around so will be using auto WB. Not sure about a tripod? I don't have any type of photography software ie PS, so is it worth shooting in RAW? I haven't yet, just in jpeg.

RAW processing is a subject in itself; you will need some kind of software to turn the files into JPG images. You may have basic software supplied with your camera - check first and do a test before shooting RAW otherwise you'll end up with files you can't use and pictures you can't see... RAW gives you much more control but it is a jump in learning.

Or... shoot RAW + JPEG fine and you'll get the both of both worlds. Stock up on memory cards though.