hIYER PEOPLE, thanks for answering my last question on composition. It was mighty helpful. My next needed aid is on picturing in the dark There is an Indian religious ritual coming up and I would like to capture it. I would like to do sort of a docu in pictures. It will start at 3AM and carry on through the rest of the day. Any help in terms of technical or otherwise would be much appreciated.

-- Shannan Ravindra (ravi_g@pacific.net.sg), January 23, 1999

Answers

Hi Shannan,

I assume flash would not be welcome during the ritual. Have you considered using Infrared flash? This was used successfully by Weegee, and might work for you.

You'd need Infrared film, plus a flash set at low output and covered with a deep red foil or filter. According to accounts I've read of how Weegee operated, he used this technique to remain invisible, and indeed photographed people in movie theatres without being noticed. One of his most famous shots, "The Critic", was made this way...the subjects never saw his flash, just a faint red blip.

Perhaps some of the infrared experts on this forum have experience with this and could elaborate? Otherwise, I'd simply get a bunch of film and start experimenting.

Good luck!

-- Mason Resnick (bwworld@mindspring.com), January 23, 1999.

Picturing in the Dark

If you plan on using IR flash and film be carefull when photographing smiling faces. If they have a crown it can show up as a dark gap in their teeth, perhaps not something you particulary want to catch.

-- gerald Whyte (gwhyte@ibm.net), January 25, 1999.

I've never tried IR flash, so can't comment. I must give it a go one day...

Have you considered fast film (eg Delta 3200) and fast lenses, around f/1.2? In my experience, if you can see it, you can photograph it. But you should do a trial run before the event. And it won't help if it really is pitch dark.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), January 25, 1999.

ref: Weegee in the dark

Mason, from my reading of some of Weegee's exploits, "The Critic" wasn't done with IR. A friend of Weegee's, who gave the disheveled lady in "The Critic" a little push forward into the scene, said that Weegee's flash was popping just as fast as he could change bulbs and crank though the film. The photos of people watching a movie with 3D glasses was IR, though.

IR flash photography:

An inexpensive IR flash filter can be made using unexposed but developed E-6 film. Securely tape this filter over your flash head, and add tape to prevent light leaks. Now go forth at night and do some experimentation with exposure. Honestly, that's all there is to it.

Experiment and have lots of fun!! :-)

Oh, yes: Someplace I saw a website with someone's IR flash photography. Quite different.

-- Brian C. Miller (a-bcmill@exchange.microsoft.com), January 25, 1999.

Most natives prefer ceremony to not be photographed. I empathize with you the desire to photography ceremony and as an artist see no issue in bringing dishonor to ceremony. The native is not always an artist.

-- Red Spirit (nagiluta@netscape.net), April 25, 1999.