Dianna Rucker

I"m looking for suggestions for lighting and lens for a surprise engagement shoot in Chicago at the bean facing Michigan avenue. I have a Nikon D850 camera, Godox AD200 flash as well as a couple of smaller godox 860ii flashes. I plan on using my 70-200 2.8 lens as well as bringing my 24-70 2.8 lens. Not sure if I can even use flash so may just be cranking up the ISO. I have a monopod I plan on using with OCF for the AD200 if we use it. I will have plenty of help in the background if I can use the flashes, just not sure if that's a good idea as not sure if my flash person for OCF can even get close enough to them without being seen.
Anyone try something similar? Since it is cold in CHicago now this will be quick. I plan on wearing my spider belt and keeping my camera inside my coat. I'm worried about draining the battery. I will have at least one also in my pocket to keep warm.

larryzplace Loc: Elk Grove Village Illinois

Sounds like you will have an interesting shoot... At night there will be a great deal of different light sources from all the surrounding buildings... If you live here it would be a good idea to get out there with a couple of people ahead of your shoot and practice... Remember reflections can be good and bad in a shoot like this... The bean is highly reflective so you will definitely have to be careful of that... Definitely experiment... I am sure I have some night shots with the bean around somewhere... I think I posted some way back when... If i find the shots I will send a link to them... Best of luck

ELNikkor

In a case like this, I always go on a preceding night with stand-ins so when the actual shoot happens, I know exactly where to stand and what lights and camera settings work best.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Welcome Dianna!
If you’re a Facebook user, there are some great FB groups I recommend.
One is My AD200 and the other is Learn to Light- An OCF Lighting Community.
So much useful information there with great examples.
Check them out!

Dianna Rucker

unfortunately I live about 4 hours away so no chance to practice. I"ve been researching the bean and I've been there a few times. I will do my best thanks

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I posted your question to the FB learning to light section and already got an example.
Sent you a Private message

Love that Godox system!
I have an AD 200, AD 600 and at TT685. The new Pro transmitter is so intuitive!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Posts from the Facebook group Learning to light OCF .
Seriously great info in there.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I think the element of surprise will be lost when you are there with all your stuff.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

On the flash use REAR CURTAIN FLASH. This will allow the city lights to show in the background. I then only use - or + exposure compensation on the flash to make final adjustments.
I would use the TTL power cord to get the flash off the camera and hold it above the lens by a foot or more.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Since the subjects are not moving, you don’t need to do rear curtain sync to do this.
A slower shutter setting will do the same thing.
It’s called “Drag Shutter” technique and has been around well before rear curtain sync. This way the flash fires at the beginning of the exposure, and the expression of the subjects are captured when you press the shutter, not some time after.

The OP is using Godox flashes, which have radio receivers built in. No cords required.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you want some good ideas on using flash under those conditions take a look at planet neil. com. Neil van Niekerk is a South African photographer who specializes in wedding photography. He has many tutorials on flash photography that I am sure will catch your eye.
Good luck.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

The Cosmic Cloud is an interesting object. I saw it in 2013 (daytime).

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

But J, if the subjects move after the flash, and the curtain is still open, they will be blurred.... Wouldn't rear curtain be better at night with slower shutter speed? That way the subject would not be blurred. People move.... Especially if they do not know they are being photographed.... This is a surprise shoot at night, so fill will more than likely be needed.

Just my thought and question.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Frank. Look at it this way: First curtain- second curtain sync. The shutter and aperture will be the same to get the right exposure. If they move during the exposure before the flash fires at the end to get some ambient light, they'll still have a blur, right? The second curtain sync is useful to capture the lights on moving cars for example- so that the light trails look normal (trailing behind) vs the car looking like it's moving backward. But these aren't cars.

For a photo like the OP is describing, there probably won't be much subject movement, but I would rather not have a delay with the flash exposure-which is lighting the subject-to capture the best expression when it happens. Timing may be critical if it's a proposal. Not 1/2 second or more after I hit the shutter button. And if there is any blur, who can predict which way the couple will move?

Now on to something I missed with on the OP's original post a "Surprise" engagement photo shoot.
Is it a proposal that's being photographed or an engagement shoot, where the question has already been asked? I'm thinking it's the proposal now as well. That definitely adds a degree of difficulty.
I wish the OP would come back so we're not left hanging.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Thanks for the explanation Jim.....I know about the car lights. And your right, if the subject moves, no matter when the flash, they will blur.