Anyone know how to accurately photograph PC lighting (RGB)

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Slayer88

Slayer88

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Hi all, this is something I have struggled with for a while. And despite many attempts using flagship camera phones over the years I have never been able to click a pic on my PC lighting the way it actually looks.

I'm using a OnePlus 8 Pro now, used it in Pro mode, Nightscape mode, used apps like Snapseed but the output is still not close.

I'm no photographer so there is a chance im not using all the right settings. Can someone help?

Or is this something only achievable using a DSLR? TIA
 
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You might want to show us few samples to start with? Am guessing you are trying to achieve results like those seen on Instagram et al? Those are mostly shot in raw and post-processed using tools like lightroom.
 
kalph09 said:
You might want to show us few samples to start with? Am guessing you are trying to achieve results like those seen on Instagram et al? Those are mostly shot in raw and post-processed using tools like lightroom.
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Thanks for your reply. What the aim and pretty much the actual output was the Cyberpunk theme colors. Pic is way off, especially the yellow and doesn't do justice to how it really looks. Thanks again
 

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The limiting factor I think is the phone camera having a small sensor that can not bring out details under low light.

Am not an expert but a couple of suggestions.

1) The lights are overexposed, bring down the exposure by 1.5 to 2 stops. The photo would look darker, the color should pop up a bit.
2) Lower the ambient light, try a 0.5W bulb to light up the room.
3) Try G Cam mod app if it is available for OP8 Pro. It should allow you to shoot raw and scale up/down the photo.
4) In the Instagram link I shared, you'll notice most of the snaps are shot under low light to bring highlights of the RGB.
 
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kalph09 said:
The limiting factor I think is the phone camera having a small sensor that can not bring out details under low light.

Am not an expert but a couple of suggestions.

1) The lights are overexposed, bring down the exposure by 1.5 to 2 stops. The photo would look darker, the color should pop up a bit.
2) Lower the ambient light, try a 0.5W bulb to light up the room.
3) Try G Cam mod app if it is available for OP8 Pro. It should allow you to shoot raw and scale up/down the photo.
4) In the Instagram link I shared, you'll notice most of the snaps are shot under low light to bring highlights of the RGB.
Click to expand...
Thanks man. I have tried playing around with the exposure n stuff. Will give it another go.. sadly I don't have expertise in Lightroom n PS. Cheers
 
Just ensure to have a very dim light in the room but bit far away from your setup. I shot everything in just a tv light.

I use zero filters and here are few actual samples of my rig captured on RN7Pro..
 
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Slayer88 said:
Nice. Is this how it looks to the naked eye too?
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Exactly! Thats what I said, these captures are as is. If you need the originals I can share as a proof!
One of my strips faded and then I bought this Cooler master ARGB from here..so I could plan on another rgb setup on a new rig. But new rig got delayed and then this gpu chaos. So argb etc. everything is on a wait!
 
Slayer88 said:
Thanks for your reply. What the aim and pretty much the actual output was the Cyberpunk theme colors. Pic is way off, especially the yellow and doesn't do justice to how it really looks. Thanks again
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you have strong point sources of light from the fan hub and the shroud. this is throwing your camera off

I have even light on all 4 surfaces, dont have any shadows and the light always looks as good on pictures as it does in real life

jDALwno.jpg
 
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SunnyBoi said:
you have strong point sources of light from the fan hub and the shroud. this is throwing your camera off

I have even light on all 4 surfaces, dont have any shadows and the light always looks as good on pictures as it does in real life

jDALwno.jpg
Click to expand...
Yea, I think I have to do a dual exposure shot but don't have a tripod. Thanks.
 
you need grey cards to set up the white balance correctly. thats how you can get accurate colors.
 
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Slayer88 said:
Don't have or know what this is, mate
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take an extra pic with a grey card in the scene in raw mode and you can use photoshop to set the grey point in the grey card and it will set the colors correctly and after that you can make any more color correction after that.
 
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booo said:
take an extra pic with a grey card in the scene in raw mode and you can use photoshop to set the grey point in the grey card and it will set the colors correctly and after that you can make any more color correction after that.
Click to expand...
Thanks man. Seems straight forward enough. Will try and explore it if available for a decent price
 
I don't know much about mobile camera or RGB. But managed to take LED signs pretty accurately at night with normal DSLR cameras.
1. Lower the ISO to lowest possible ( in my camera it is 100)
2. Slow shutter speed is the key as the lights themselves refresh leading to lines in them. Use a tripod.
3. Use a higher F stop ( this is crucial to have sharp outlines) Don't worry, slow shutter will ensure adequate light. If it doesn't step down. ( I know this is not possible in mobile camera, but can't provide a solution to this)
Don't bother with white balance when you're capturing self illuminated objects in darkness.
WB is important to capture colour in adequate light...not at all when capturing light in dark!!
A humble request...if you're interested in photography, do yourself a favour, instead of paying 40-50K INR camera phone, buy an entry level DSLR/ Mirrorless camera with a 50mm prime. You will save a lot of money and will get real photographs.
booo said:
you need grey cards to set up the white balance correctly. thats how you can get accurate colors.
Click to expand...
Why would someone need to set up the white balance in dark and the subject is self illuminated?
 
Slayer88 said:
Thanks man. Seems straight forward enough. Will try and explore it if available for a decent price
Click to expand...
one step further to this is to get color cards. https://www.amazon.com/Datacolor-SCK200-SpyderCHECKR-24/dp/B00LPS46TW
night photography is a bit tricky. just try using tripod and timer to take long exposure shots. you can do a lot of color correction in post so taking pictures in RAW is the key. you dont need to setup anything in the phone other than shutter speed and fstop. also the rule is that you can somewhat fix underexposed but not overexposed.

I used to use this light meter app a lot when I was android guy. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dq.fotometroNa&hl=en_US&gl=US
 
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