Cavechat.org

Hello, all... just got back from Pine Hill Cave in southern KY, and got some decent shots out of it. Basically used two 160-LED light panels with a Canon 5D2and Sigma 12-24mm combo. First time with my dslr, so it was a bit of an experimental trip for me as well. The LED's put off enough light, but it's a bit hot, so I'm going to leave the 580EXII at home next time and take a couple more LED panels, turning them down a bit. All but one of these was done in HDR.

I'd visited Pine Hill cave last about 3 years ago or more. I found out this time how out of shape I was! Lots of crawling and tight spots in this cave. These pics are all taken just before you reach the large waterfalls and pool, about 3/4 mile into the cave from the main entrance. Lots of great different geological makeup.. very interesting to say the least.

Here are the shots, any input would be great! Trying to figure out lighting a bit...
(pleease click on the photos to view larger....)









Thanks for looking!

Great shots of a great cave. Thanks for sharing.

Great shots indeed! Tell me about these LED panels - color temperature, cost, where you got them.

Thanks,
John

It is always a wonderful feeling when you get the shots down right. The light and time are absolutely perfect. Great pictures!

NSS8921 wrote:Great shots indeed! Tell me about these LED panels - color temperature, cost, where you got them.

Thanks,
John

Well, I'd looked at a smallish 50 LED light at a local camera shop and it was $99. I went online and found the Neewer CN-160 LED Video Lighting lights for $38 a piece.

Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Dimmable- ... 320&sr=8-7

Says, they are 5400k, but I shot with these in AWB mode on my 5D2, though my 5D2 is really good in auto white balance mode... my 40D would have had to have been adjusted in post.

They take either 6 AA batteries or one of two different Camcorder batteries or similar. I never had to change the batteries out, and they have over half their charge left after being on a total of about 2 hours in the caves. They are pretty lightweight until you put the batteries in of course. And they have a mount that lets you put them on either a hot-shoe type mount or they also accept a 1/4" screw to put them on a tripod. I left them in bags for this, and just propped them up, hidden in alcoves, about 20-30 feet in front of the camera. I'm getting two more and using them at a little less intensity (adjustable power-on switch) as they seemed to create hot spots on nearby formations.

Cody JW wrote:Great shots of a great cave. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks - I owe it to the cave, haha!

BrianC wrote:It is always a wonderful feeling when you get the shots down right. The light and time are absolutely perfect. Great pictures!

Thanks, and you're right, though I think they can be better. I want to use a lens that's not so soft, and more light. Would like to get a little more substance to the actual waterfalls... although they were a little heavier than normal causing a lot of mist. Thanks for the comment!

NSS8921 wrote:Great shots indeed! Tell me about these LED panels - color temperature, cost, where you got them.

Thanks,
John

Oh yeah, here's a shot of them in the case for size relative to the camera, etc....

Great shots!

Magee wrote:Great shots!

Thanks!

Great Photos

I know its been said but i have to say it again, GREAT PHOTOS!!!

Your images really have me considering switching to continuous lighting.

Nicely done!