advice/tips for shooting interiors in abandoned asylum

[theseahawk]

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I’m booked to participate in a sanctioned two-hour photography tour of closed interiors of the landmark former Buffalo State Hospital (1870s-1990s) designed by H.H.R. Richardson and Frederick Law Olmsted. The tour will run from 6:00-8:00PM. It is geared specifically to photographers and tripods are allowed, so I’d think some allowances will be made to setup, compose, execute shots but I could see some challenges with time and people getting in the way. 

What advice or tips do those experienced shooting abandoned interiors having had shot with digital Leicas? 

I plan on taking the following:

- SL2-S with a Vario-Elmarit 24-70 on an RRS bracket

- M10R with Voigtlander 21mm f1.4

-M10-P with Summilux 50mm f1.4

- Sirui A-1205 c-f travel tripod 

I will have an assistant to help me manage equipment, water, etc. 

I’m thinking of setting up a profile for bracketing SL2-S and M10R exposures on the tripod (so IBIS off the former) - would one full stop over/under metered reading (3 shots) be enough to protect highlights and capture shadow detail or is more better? Should I use exposure compensation (-EV) when bracketing or use that only on single shots? I imagine I’d mainly be hand-holding any given camera as I go, then set up with the tripod on shots where I want maximum depth of field and detail. 
I also have an M-to-L adapter so could put the 21mm on the SL2-S if 24mm isn’t wide enough, but wouldn’t want to if the interior is too dusty  

Thanks for any thoughts or lessons you’ve learned in similar settings. 
 

Ken
 

 

 

Edited June 10, 2024 by theseahawk

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[frame-it]

+ One crucifix, if it works on ghosts

you might also get some very nice shots with a flash and wide angle lens

[dpitt]

I see that you can use one of the legs of this tripod as a monopod setup. A monopod will bring both a bit stability and speed, compared to setting up a full tripod.

If you have a separate monopod, even better.
Bring the monopod too, then you can see what works best on location.

[theseahawk]

Thanks, great advice. I do have a separate monopod so may ready that to use with the M cameras. 
 

Would you use negative EV to protect highlights even when bracketing? Or weight the bracketing towards underexposure?

[Zenchicowboy]

Wonderful suggestions by everyone, I would encourage a going deep within yourself to the unchartered territories of your own darkness …imagery that tells a story, feel the whispers of those that were in there….shoot from your well of knowing, don’t let equipment get in the way, look for unusual perspectives…