Let’s Go Camping

09. Dec, 2008 1 Comment

From: David Dahlquist, Freelance News Photographer San Juan Capistrano, CA

I was covering a three day breast cancer walk last month and we were on location 24/7 for all three days. While shooting interviews with some of the volunteers at night in small dome tents. I needed to light the interviews but did not want that camera light look.

I had packed a fluorescent camp light with my gear.

My camera light is a 5600K LED With a dimmer. So I grabbed the camp light and set it just out of the shot. I used it as my key and used my led light dimmed way down as a fill the combo provided a flattering soft light.
When I pulled wide for a two shot the camp light was in the shot but it did not look out of place.

The camp light worked great and provided a fast set up as it ran on its own battery.

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tips & tricks

One Response to “Let’s Go Camping”

  1. Dave Dahlquist 28. Sep, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    I’v added a few mods to my “camp light tip”

    1. I have found that most of the fluorescent camp lights
    have a green spike in them so I cut a minus green gel (1/2 or 1/4) to fit inside the lamp.
    Double stick tape helps keep it in place.
    2. I cut a ND gel to fit 1/2 way around the lamp and tape it to the outside with clear tape.
    I point the ND side toward camera.
    3. if I’m not going to show the light on camera then I cut a pice of thick silver mylar that will go 1/3 the way around the lens and tape it to the inside or out side of the lens. This depends if I want to remove it but inside works best. You will be surprised on how much light comes out if the fluorescent camp light when you do this one.
    FYI: number 3 is handy when you are in your own vehicle changing a flat tire on some dark country road.

    Dave Dahlquist
    Freelance Photographer KABC