Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

I'm primarily a portrait, real estate and landscape photographer, but I just booked a late afternoon/evening outdoor party photographing attendees. I'm comfortable with off-camera flash, but I'm expecting to use a speed light mounted on my camera, and I'm wondering if anyone can offer tips on settings. My go-to is spot focus in manual, but I'm wonder if there might be a better alternative for this situation. Also, would TTL be best? Lastly, I've also been asked to provide some video of the band as well. I know this is a tall order, so any advice would be appreciated. Oh, and I'm shooting with a Sony A7RIV. Thanks!

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I use a Rouge Flash Bender attachment for my flash in most cases for party photos. I also bounce light of walls when possible. Whenever I use auto settings of any type, including TTL, I find myself constantly adjusting exposure to counter tonal issues that deviate from mid gray. So I never bother with them and use all manual settings with the camera and flash. I am constantly checking exposure with my review screen and making adjustments when necessary. Once you get the hang of manual you will find yourself adjusting in advance and nailing the exposure more accurately, and more often than and type of auto setting. For focus I set a multi-point zone and move it left or right as needed in Servo Mode (continuous).

jcboy3

I usually shoot manual mode, wide open, fixed ISO, TTL flash, and dial in shutter speed to get 1-2 stops under exposure for ambient. I then adjust shutter speed based upon subject motion (which is usually none, so expose for ambient). I shoot RAW, so ISO is generally not an issue, but I adjust ISO for ambient so images are visible. If I have time (getting exposure correct is first priority, getting shot is second, getting brightness is third).

At the start, I measure ambient light color and gel the flash accordingly. If shooting from afternoon to evening, repeat this periodically. It's important to balance flash and ambient color, or your shots are "deer in the headlight" style.

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

Best advice I can give is fast shutter speed and and ISO , just think of it like shooting in lots of light

User ID

You might prefer a WB and temperature adjustable video panel. WYSIWYG stills, and it also covers any video needs. Get enuf power to use a cloth diffuser or similar, as these lights are not very wide angle. I use 2 or 3 layers of bubble pack. Transmits more light than cloth. Make sure it allows spare batteries, cuz youll need them. Setting to low power before afternoon turns to dusk will help extend battery life. BTW continuous light means no sych cables or radio and a cheap cold shoe bracket :-)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

What you can do will depend on the capabilities of your speedlight. But I think you would be surprised at how much benefit you can get simply by using the diffusion dome that came with your flash. Someone is going to mention using bounce flash, but in my experience when working outside, there is so little light left after bouncing an on-camera flash that you might as well just put it back in the case. You can either use the camera and flash under manual control, or you may want to investigate the possibility of using BFF -- Balanced Fill Flash, if your unit offers it. Note that the color of the light from the flash is not going to be the same as any natural light, so be prepared to fix the white balance later.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thank you everyone for your advice so far, this is extremely helpful. It looks like I have some practicing to do!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...It looks like I have some practicing to do!" Words of wisdom Pat...

test... test... and test some more... experience is likely the finest teacher.
As others have mentioned for camera mounted speedlight... a Flash "bender" i.e. reflector plus a diffusion dome has paid the bills for me in your "booked" scenario.

That said, being able to instill an ambiance of calm confidence in your subjects is paramount. So funny those on UHH seem to think it's all about kit. Nothing could be further from reality when doing event portraiture. An outstanding event photographer is a charismatic thespian who exudes confidence and directs with ease.

Pat parley you expertise in portraiture and you'll do just fine...
best advice on kit? Ambient 2/3's under... use iTTL on flash and adjust (fine tune) to taste

Actually even an on camera popup flash in the hands of a knowledgeable experienced portrait shooter is capable of breathtaking imagery... see below

On camera popup flash... ambient minus 2/3 stop... iTTL flash

(Download)

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I use a lot of on camera flash, sorta! I have a bracket that puts the flash higher than if it were in the hot shoe. (It also rotates for portrait mode, a Vello CB-100). I use TTL setting and usually a little EC (exposure compensation).

EDIT: I also use 1/250 sec shutter speed to eliminate ambient light contributions.

Nickaroo

Gosh, You are shooting with a very good setup. I would still consider just using TTL with Your Speed light setup. Set Your setting at 1/250th of a Second and go with it. The Sony A7RIV is a very capable Camera, but I feel that I would put it in Crop Mode and run with it. You should try to get your shots before Dark. Then experiment a little with Your Sony after dark and just run the exposure triangle and maybe even fool around a little with EXP/Compensation. I think that you should have thought about this before the last second, but You still have time. Judge the Light and whatever it gives You then take it. I shoot for The University of Michigan and I have run into the After Glow Parties and my Nikon D850 and even my D5 made this a lot easier for me to get dramatic and great Human Reaction Shots. I didn't even use Flash or Lights. I would think that with Your Camera, providing You are running with Great Glass, You should be able to swing it. Just take a deep breath and know that You have this. Do Not Think Yourself Out Of What You Are Trying To Accomplish, this is not Rocket Science so run with it. Good Luck and I know that You Will Nail It.

Nickaroo

I'm with You on the OP's request. He is over-thinking this endeavor. I have shot so many Outdoor After-Glow Parties at My ALMA-MATER Sports events, The University of Michigan Athletics Dept., and never once did I breakout a Flash and I was using my D5, D750, D850, and of Course I used myZ7II but I now have the Z9. This is so simple that it makes me wonder if Future Photogs will realize that there is more than 1 way to skin the Cat.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Hi Thomas, it's been a while since you sent this response, but that event I was referring to is tomorrow, and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your response. I think I'm ready, and agree that capturing the moments, and the subjects in their most comfortable, natural state, is paramount. Thanks again, and looking forward to tomorrow!