So, I struggled with taking this photograph, and I was wondering if any other community members struggled with similar problems when shooting casino interiors with ever changing lighting.
The problem here is that there are these big bands of light that change color through the full spectrum, which causes different color balance issues throughout the entire shoot. My method was to take a number of pictures, and overlay them in photoshop and do some final retouching in lightroom. I think the photo turned out as well as it could, at my level.
The result of this lighting is a very colorful image, which I don't really mind because it shows the mood of the space pretty well. It's a colorful place. I like the image, but I think it could be better. In hind sight I could have asked the casino managers to leave the lights on a warm tone, but then I wouldn't get all the colors from the space.
Has anyone experienced this, and what did you do? This was my first casino shoot and I have a couple more with the same client coming up and I want to make sure I'm doing a good job for them.
Thanks.
-AB
I can't really help you regarding the everchanging lighting as I don't have any experience with that, the only light change situation I've experienced was clouds moving way to fast in front of the sun and throwing nasty shadows all over. Anyway, as you said, this fits the mood of a casino, lights and colours everywhere, I think to the client's eye this isn't going to look bad at all, he isn't probably going to notice. I like the jackpot machine in the foreground, makes me wanna jump in the seat and hear some ca-ching sounds.
I hope the next person who leaves a comment will answer your initial question. Keep up the good work.
I agree that you've done a good job of evening out the various lights and that the client will probably be happy with what you've got already. If pressed to "improve" something, I would add highlights in Lightroom to add even more excitement. There doesn't seem to be a point of focus here (which is often the case in architectural photography since you're shooing large spaces), so I would be inclined to make a few things pop, For example, I might add some exposure to the Cashier and Lucky7Diner signs and the slot machines. Maybe subtly highlight a section in the carpet just to make the lighting purposefully uneven and dramatic (instead of merely colorful). Or maybe you could highlight the individual chairs in the middle of the room so that they're something more than light sucks. (Dark furniture = the bane of architectural photography.) Of course, it's all personal choice. Just my two cents. Overall, I think you've done a great job capturing the room.
Thanks for the encouragement, Horia.
John, Thanks for the comments. I did do some lighting adjustments in Lightroom, but maybe they weren't too apparent. The main subject in the room was to be the hanging sculpture-y-thing. They have been calling it a "boat." But as you say the image seems a little flat. I could probably pop that out a little bit since I was trying to make it the main focus to being with.
It looks like a very stylish casino with excellent lighting. It's not even a sin to lose money in a place like this.
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