A Little Advice
Jun 26, 2021 13:16:05 #
Hello Hogs,
I'm charged with shooting an adult birthday party tomorrow with approx. 30-40 folks in an outdoor park type setting.
The weather here in NY looks to be sunny to partly sunny.
The advice Im looking for is; use flash or not, knowing the advantages of using it at times for shadow fill, and if I do, can I get some setting suggestions for camera and flash? It will be a "roving" situation as opposed to portrait.
I have some experience with photography, but this has been a thorn in my side. I appreciate any help anyone can offer.
Thanks Folks
I'm charged with shooting an adult birthday party tomorrow with approx. 30-40 folks in an outdoor park type setting.
The weather here in NY looks to be sunny to partly sunny.
The advice Im looking for is; use flash or not, knowing the advantages of using it at times for shadow fill, and if I do, can I get some setting suggestions for camera and flash? It will be a "roving" situation as opposed to portrait.
I have some experience with photography, but this has been a thorn in my side. I appreciate any help anyone can offer.
Thanks Folks
Jun 26, 2021 13:20:12 #
You can manage without flash. The trick is to try to photograph people when they're in "open shade" (or overcast), which will help avoid the problems of blocked highlights, as well squinting, when people are looking into the sun. There's plenty of open shade in New York, thanks to buildings. The problem with fill-in flash is that you'll be wrestling with your equipment, and since you apparently are not familiar with working in that mode, it would seem to be better to simplify your approach, so that you're concentrating on what you're shooting, not on how to set your flash.
Jun 26, 2021 13:31:01 #
captivecookie
Loc: Washington state
I would suggest fill flash using your pop up flash at minus 2 stops.
If you shoot raw and have a lot of dynamic range you could soften eye shadows in post, if you go without flash.
If you shoot raw and have a lot of dynamic range you could soften eye shadows in post, if you go without flash.
Jun 26, 2021 13:47:12 #
It's a little late in the planning process to discuss fill flash. In the future, I suggest you read up and practice using fill flash. I am a newbie to using manual flash, but read up on it. Recently used it at a grad party of a family member and it really enhanced the photos. Flashgear.net is a good place to start. They have a robust Facebook presence that helps me a lot. All positive, instructional stuff. A fantastic flash site is the strobist. In the end you will end up shooting manual flash...makes things way easier. It took me a while, but I can now get decent results.
But, since you are near the event, just use existing light to the best that you can. Hope for an overcast day, pay attention to lighting, reflected lighting, etc. Use shade to your benefit. And what ever you do, shoot in RAW. It will help you save some shots that otherwise might not be keepers due to the wider range of editing possibilities.
But, since you are near the event, just use existing light to the best that you can. Hope for an overcast day, pay attention to lighting, reflected lighting, etc. Use shade to your benefit. And what ever you do, shoot in RAW. It will help you save some shots that otherwise might not be keepers due to the wider range of editing possibilities.
Jun 26, 2021 13:51:16 #
If it not overcast or there is no open shade, wait until evening. If you have to shoot in mid-day open sun, fill flash may be your best option, but you need to get the hang of it beforehand.
Jun 26, 2021 14:28:44 #
captivecookie wrote:
I would suggest fill flash using your pop up flash at minus 2 stops.
If you shoot raw and have a lot of dynamic range you could soften eye shadows in post, if you go without flash.
If you shoot raw and have a lot of dynamic range you could soften eye shadows in post, if you go without flash.
Easiest way! With the -2 flash compensation, you shouldn't have the lens barrel shadow cast onto the subject. But beware of the possibility by checking your screen. Most of the mid range wide-normal zooms get pretty big. A prime 35 or 50 mm (FF equiv.) won't cause this. It can be eliminated in a few ways. Experiment before you go. Small tip. put a tissue over the pop up to diffuse it. Also maybe tape a business card under or on top of the pop up parallel to the floor or vertical to counter act this.
Good luck and try make some friends.
Jun 26, 2021 15:29:41 #
Thanks for the tips and advice; we’ll see what happens! I usually do shoot in RAW.
BTW, I’m shooting with a Nikon D500 and a 910 flash, so I’ll use manual and stop down as necessary and see what happens.
Thanks again...
BTW, I’m shooting with a Nikon D500 and a 910 flash, so I’ll use manual and stop down as necessary and see what happens.
Thanks again...
Jun 26, 2021 16:27:28 #
Using flash is a good idea. Depending on the intensity of the sun after around 10 am, I would set the flash between -1 3/4 and -2 1/4. A flash bracket to get the flash off camera never hurt. Take special note of faces, especially when subject is wearing a hat with a wide brim or bill.
Have fun!!!
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Have fun!!!
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Jun 26, 2021 20:10:42 #
So Aperture and shutter for ambient, and flash on manual at those settings depending in intensity; right?
Jun 26, 2021 21:12:05 #
Jun 26, 2021 21:17:31 #
Mondolinni wrote:
So Aperture and shutter for ambient, and flash on manual at those settings depending in intensity; right?
I usually set the flash on auto with those settings.
Jun 26, 2021 22:10:10 #
Bill_de wrote:
I usually set the flash on auto with those settings.
COPY THAT...Thank you!! Thank Y’all 👍🏻
Jun 27, 2021 07:19:25 #
Mondolinni wrote:
Hello Hogs,
I'm charged with shooting an adult birthday party tomorrow...
I'm charged with shooting an adult birthday party tomorrow...
I shouldn't say this, but when you said "adult birthday party," my mind went to a naughty place.
Some posed shots would be nice, but you should also get lots of candids. A longer lens will let you be farther away so people don't stop being candid. Depending on the lighting, you might be able to avoid using a flash. Shoot in raw, and underexposure becomes less of a problem.
Jun 27, 2021 09:26:16 #
One reason I insist on owning a camera with pop-up flash. I set on -1 and judiciously pop it up when I detect a strong-shadow-on-the face situation. I would use my 24-120 f4 zoom.
Jun 27, 2021 11:06:06 #
Not knowing what equipment you have limits the scope of my answer. If it were me, I would use my flash in daylight fill flash mode at perhaps a stop under. When I'm on a paid job, outside in the sunlight, I almost always use some flash. Not enough to be very noticeable, but enough to at least begin to fill shadows and make colors POP. Best of luck.
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