The F1 Photographer Loc: Bolton, Lancashire, England

Hi to you all, I have been asked to take some pictures of a Bonfire night at a local pub, purely on the grounds that the landlord had seen that I had a large camera and so took it upon himself that I knew what I was doing. I have explained to the guy that I am purely an amateur and that I will be there any way with my camera and that he is very welcome to any images that I take for his own use, but I would like to do well with this challenge purely for my own satisfaction. My question would be as follows; what ISO, what SS and what and where to meter from. I do like to shoot manual and RAW but what about the white balance, can that be set in camera or in post processing because I am shooting with the Nikon D 700 but I do not know which preset WB would be correct. I will be aiming to use my Speedlight Flash unit for fill flash pics of the crowd but not quite sure what the camera settings would be to achieve the overall correct exposure, or would Lightroom software be able to assist in this. So many questions, So keen to learn the art. Many thanks in advance for all your very much appreciated advice and I will be sure to post some pics to show my appreciation for your kind help. Keith

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Joel Sartore, a National Geographic photographer, did a photography course on DVD ..... one his lessons dealt with shooting firelight at night. He did it with high ISO settings and the lowest aperture setting you can get. You might try this with Automatic ISO to see how that turns out - otherwise, I think you'll be north of ISO 800 to capture both the fire and the glow on people's faces. Don't put your focus point on the fire, but on something out on the fringes, then recompose Noise? Bet on it! But if might be worth it if you nail the light balance.

Fill flash and firelight do not play well together. If you use flash, point the flash away from the fire (or straight up) so you get a bounce or diffused effect.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I don't have any tips...
Looking forward to seeing the results!!!!
Pat

eddie1 Loc: Charlotte, NC

I dont like the look of flash mixed with natural firelight. I think the high ISO and large AP is a good start. I would put a candle in a dark room, move any object near it, and take some sample exposures. Change the ISO from mid to top of your camera, see what you get. Change the AP until your shutter speed gets too slow . Try to find the right compromise of ISO and AP that allows a shutter speed to capture the moving people without blur. One advantage with a bonfire is the people are always facing it, and you can get great shots without the fire even being in the composition. Try some close ups as they watch the fire and perhaps catch the image of the fire reflected in their eyes. I assume you will be hand held and not tripod, but once you enter a tripod into the equation, you can explore some other options with your shutter speed getting slower. I think the more you play with a candle and get a feel for what settings get what results, you will be more able to go and have a wonderful time.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

EV8 Las Vegas or Times Square at night. Store windows. Campfires, bonfires, burning buildings. Ice shows, football, baseball etc. at night. Interiors with bright florescent lights.

EV8 @ ISO 800 🔥 ➜ f/5.6 @ 1/60
EV8 @ ISO 1600 🔥 ➜ f/11 @ 1/60

If you use flash and shoot toward fire, adjust for backlight; ETTL is not recommended in this situation unless your camera AND flash will compensate for a spot focus point other than the fire. Also, try to use 2nd curtail to give movement during exposure appropriate visualization.

The F1 Photographer Loc: Bolton, Lancashire, England

Thank you for you input, I will be sure to try your advice and will be sure to post..

The F1 Photographer Loc: Bolton, Lancashire, England

Thank you for your reply, I think I will try some candle shots out tonight and make notes on what and doesnt work. Thanks again.

The F1 Photographer Loc: Bolton, Lancashire, England

Thanks for that info, I will be sure to try out your suggested settings and will let you know how I get on. Would you reccomend spot focus or something else and what white balance would you go for. Cheers in advance.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Is "lowest aperture" a large or small opening?

cthahn

You have to learn how to use your camera. Everyone purchases these new sophisticate camera systems and then gets on this site and asked how to use them. No one can tell you how to take a photo as every situation will be different. T he camera can not does this for you, you have to tell the camera what to do.

LarJgrip Loc: The Fraser Valley

Hi Keith
Got nothing regarding night/fire shots other than I like moguls latter suggestion, it might render some cool shots.

On another note, your avatar. I am a HUGE F1 fan, I don't suppose you could share some of your race / paddock shots on another thread.
-Larry

LarJgrip Loc: The Fraser Valley

He IS learning to use the camera, why else would he be asking those questions.
Take a deep breath…count to ten… there now, doesn't that feel better. :D

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Lowest apertures (f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4) are the largest openings. It allows the lens to admit more light to the camera's processor, but creates a very limited depth of field. What you focus on will be sharp, but most of the stuff in the foreground and background will be blurred.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

OK. I wasn't sure if you meant the lowest numbers or the lowest size.

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

These are not bonfires, but they do include fire and flash fill. I think the two can be combined effectively.

ISO 1600; 1 sec; f22


ISO 1600; 1 sec; f 22


ISO 200; 1 sec; f 22