AboutMark Gluckman Expertise I can answer questions about all social photography (wedding, corporate, b`nai mitzvah). All general questions about digital photography and, of course, film.
Photojournalistic and travel photo questions can also be asked as that is another specialty of mine.
Experience
Past/Present clients McDonald's, Sprint, GE, Ford, NBC, IBM, Princess Cruises, NCL and I work the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon every year.
I have worked for The New York Times, USA Today, AP and dozens of other international and national publications.
I have shot hundreds of weddings, b'nai mitzvah and corporate social events.
Expert: Mark Gluckman Date: 1/30/2006 Subject: taking a 35 mm photo in a darkened room
Question Mark...sorry to bug you again...i dont understand your last answer on how to use my digital camera to take a photo of the phosphorescent painting of the stars in a darkened room...the camera has modes...twilight mode, landscape mode, snow mode beach mode high speed shutter mode and fireworks mode, also magnifying mode...you say to use 400..i assume you mean film...the camera has a memory stick?....i guess i will use the fireworks mode...it slows the shutter speed...and a tripod...i did read the manual!...i will work it out...do you have anything to add?-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
thank you Mark...i have a digital camera also...a sony 5.1 mega pixel..hope that is good enough... only thought the finished photo would be clearer using a 35 mm camera...sorry to take up so much of your time...so, how would i do it using the above digital camera?...thanks so much, john weber
Followup To
Question -
hello...i am an artist on the central coast of california...i am currently painting ceilings with phosphorescent paints that absorb light, then when the room is darkened, the paint glows or shines...like you were outside laying on the grass, lookingup at the stars...it is very cool...i have been painting galaxies, costellations, stars, etc on ceilings...i need to take photos of the finished projects...i have a cannon 35 mm camera...could you tell me what film, shutter speed, aperature opening i should use...the room is dark except for the stars, etc, on the ceiling.
thank you in advance for all your help!! regards, john weber, avalanche of art
Answer -
This is rather difficult and requires lots of trial and error. With digital it would be a lot easier, but here goes. If you have a friend or know someone with a digital you can use and manually set it would help.
You'll need a tripod, fast film and a very wide angle lens. Since I am unsure of the light balance or how dark the room is, you may need a 80a filter. Focus at the ceiling and start with a one second exposure...then two second. The f/stop should be at about 5.6. You will not get an accurate meter reading because there is no reflected light.
It will probably take you, at least, one roll of film to get the right expsoure. Write down every try...shot one 5.6 at one second; shot 2 5.6 at two seconds, etc. Also, I would not use print film for the test. Labs have a tendancy of trying to correct for mistakes and will not give you an accurate color or exposure...you slide film, keep it under 400 iso speed. Don't buy a filter until after the first attempt...you may not need it. If you have one, give it a shot, but you will have to double the exposure time.
Hope this helps...
Mark
Answer -
John,
Of course, use the tripod..and use the same steps with the digital..using 400 speed. Now change your white balance to tungsten, then auto, then natural. Keep playing with the settings until you find the proper one. You can always adjust it with Photoshop or any editing program.
A 5 megapixel camera will work just fine, you should be able to get excellent results. Shoot it at the highest resolution. Now here's the real tough part...you may have to read the owner's manual to get the most out of these shots...YIKES!!!
Good luck..let me know how it comes out.
Mark
Answer Even digitals have the equivalent of film speeds and the ratings are the same. Most consumer digitals have 100,200, 400 and, maybe, 800 speeds. Also, there is a white balance on all digitals..they may be named something else but.... It seems that your digital renames the slow shutter speed with fireworks, but I'd try going to the Sony website. Remember, you have nothing to risk by trying 10 or 20 shots with a digital, if they don't turn out, delete them. It doesn't seem there's a crucial time element with this, so just give it a shot and stop worrrying so much, it's only film and digital costs nothing.
