Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Seeing we are sharing this weeks catch I'll share a couple, mind you I was only there to capture video but seeing the photographers left 90 minutes before the end I thought I'd snap a few candid shots. You can only take so many video takes of the same crowd dancing.

70D
50mm 1.4 lens
80mm on my crop

1/125
flash
f/5.6
ISO - 800
Jpeg

I love snapping candid shots that the couple have no idea I captured. Shots like these are icing on the cake for the couple, capturing candid intimate moments that they can enjoy for years to come. I intentionally went for the fast falloff of the background, didn't want it to distract from the intimacy.

(Download)


(Download)

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Very nice. The lighting works well. Were you using a diffuser or grid on your flash?

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I was using (2) Canon 600 RT's

One off camera sitting on a table about 10 feet away from the corner wall. I tilted the flash at a 45 degree angle and bounced off the are were the 2 walls meet along with the ceiling. That was set on 1/4 power manual, used for ambient light, a giant soft box effect.

The other flash unit was on camera with a Gary Fong modifier set to ETTL minus 2/3 flash compensation.

In hindsight I would of added a second off-camera flash 80 degree off from the other off-camera flash as the room need light on the opposite side of the dance floor. Worked great for 1/2 of the dance floor but the ceilings were fairly low for such a large hall so it was hard to get one unit to give me enough ambient light.

I think I would of preferred more ambient at my control and less on-camera, maybe set the ETTL to minus 1 1/3. Though there appears no over cooked hot spots I can still tell the on-camera was the primary light source when in fact I wanted it to only be a fill.

Next time :)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

My favorite photos are also the ones that catch emotion instead of always posed. I actually really like how you lit these. One thing where I disagree with some, is using a room flash to brighten up the room. I usually prefer to have the room almost black with just the subjects lit. I think that comes from someone who is an AWFUL dancer, and prefer the room dark to pitch black. Even if the room is well lit, in the middle of the day, I prefer to underexpose the room by a lot (maybe 2-2.5 stops) and then light the couple so they stand out. Personally, I don't think one way is more right or wrong, it's just my style to try to have the others on the dance floor be just shadows.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

In these closeups I agree with the underexposure. When snapping general pictures of the dance floor I prefer to under expose the background by about a stop. Couples like destination snaps as they paid big money for the place, photos with the setting is good IMO. I shot the video of the first dance with the crowd in the background, slightly shallow so the focus was on the B&G but you can see everyone watching is tells the story.

But as you mentioned, underexposed and/or shallow DOF for the background is wonderful for intimate/tight shots.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

That's the difference. Venues around here are about as classy as McDonald's. I will get a shot or two before people show up, but for the most part, I only do relatively intimate shots, as nobody wants to see old paneling and laminate tables.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Thanks BC. Finding that ideal mix of ambient and strobe at a reception is tough, but really sets apart the good photographers VS. the on camera flash variety.

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Quite nicely done.... :thumbup:

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I really want to master the flash. I devour everything I can from the experts but until you put into practice what you read you don't really 'get it'.

Many pros are afraid of off-camera flash or are simply lazy. Of-camera is always more flattering and is a great way to eliminate hot spots on the faces. Off-camera, if done right is like a 10 foot soft box :)

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

That is the truth. Understanding the principles of light is one thing, but practice is the only way to start mastering light.

I attended a workshop with Nick Fancher who is all about creating studio quality light anywhere. In fact he wrote a book. Highly recommend it if you want to absorb some more.

http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Anywhere-Photographers-Unconventional-Locations/dp/0134084179/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435069261&sr=8-1&keywords=studio+anywhere

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I believe it was you who suggested David Ziser's book (spelling?) One of the best book purchases I've made in years. (I found a like new copy on Amazon for $6.99, but after having purchased and read it cover to cover, I'd say it is worth paying full price if you have to.)

Just passing on the suggestion on your post, in case any others are interested.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

David uses flash so well .......... and keeps it simple :)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I'm a big fan of simple