Event Photography: How to Use Flash and Make it Look Natural!
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- In this video I discuss how to use flash at an event. I get into a lot here, including some more advanced flash techniques. But I also discuss when to use flash, when to use flash when you might not necessarily need it, how to make your flash seamlessly blend in with your available light, and so much more.
(one correction I need to make: you can wirelessly trigger an external flash if your camera has a built in flash. But otherwise, you will need some sort of trigger)
If you have not already watched my video on using flash in TTL mode vs Manual mode, then I strongly recommend you check it out:
• Flash Photography: TTL...
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#eventphotography #eventphotographer #flashphotography
I don't like people only speaking... U should show some practical work buddy
Thanks.
I’m so proud that I got to a stage where this all makes perfect sense 🎉
I was literally thinking the same thing
I also just had that thought 😅
same bro same lmao
Amazing
Would have liked it if i saw samples instead of just talking
Came here to say that too!
me 2!
Thank you for saving my time with this comment❤️
Hi Mik, your video popped out on YT with event photography advice and I've been binge watching ever since. Your videos are smart, interesting, with no fluff but real thing. Great teacher you are. Thank you for your help, best of everything and greetings from Croatia!
Glad you like them! Croatia, huh? That's on my list of places to visit someday.
@@MikMilman You'll see, the most beautiful coast and the sea in the world :)
So glad I found you as someone who doesn't want to use flash but realised I need to for event photos. Thanks.
VERY nice tutorial. I've been taking pictures of evening/night events at f2, 1/125, IS0 320-400 for the same reason. People always enjoy how the background and the venue's warm golden light etc. show up nicely in the picture, instead of just dark black. Because I don't like high ISO noise, I use the above fixed setting most of the time, and let the flash fills in. I realize I am using more flash light this way but in general I've found the depth and atmosphere of the room are still very nicely captured.
I like your advice very much. God bless your generosity.
That f/2 is your secret sauce.
I know this is an old comment, but what lens are you using in this scenario? Thanks.
Some examples would've been useful.
Ah yes, unexpected lighting situations are 'exciting' ... when the photos were for my personal use, such situations were 'interesting'; but when I had to do it for a paying client? Well, a very different word would spring to mind ;)
STREEESSSSSS lol
I like this guy is very honest and hes a good Tutor 💯
THIS WAS SO HELPFUL!! TY,, now off to watch more of your vids!! so east to follow!
Thanks for leaving the bloopers in - those are awesome 😎 Great video thanks
Thank you for the honest sharing from your experience! Great video
I've been an event photographer for over 15 years, and this is probably the best video on real-world on-camera flash usage I've seen.
I agree…. He nailed it and presented it very well.
Regarding putting gels on flash to balance color temperature with ambient tungsten, I, too, didn't like a perfectly balanced look, so I used a 1/2 CTO, which warmed the flash a bit (around 3800K) but not as much as the ambient, keeping the background warm but not orange while keeping my subjects from looking blue.
FYI - You "Open up or Close down" the Aperture of the lens and you "increase or decrease" the speed of the shutter.
Great tutorial !!! Saved it, so I can study it !!! Many thanks !!!
Appreciate the insights sharing your techniques. Looking forward to trying them out.
Without images to illustrate the techniques you are talking about, the talk is empty.
Thank you.
Thanks for the tips
Very welcome.
I love that cranking up the ISO pass what I'm comfortable or my camera can do without too much noise + flash would definitely reduce the noise still getting that good lighting in dark situations
Hey bro , Could make a video on how use the flash unmounted of the camera without needing a trigger. Thank you
Shutter speed does affect your flash output. When you are shooting HHS, your flash output changes significantly.
Who mentioned HSS?
This was very helpful. Thank you
amazing video, thank you for such a good explanation. a suggestion as a viewer and as beginner: don't open that big the aperture when you film your videos, made me dizzy trying to focus my eyes to see better your face
Noted!
Great stuff man. Any tips on working in venues with high ceilings or outdoor evening/night events? Though I would imagine using the flash and camera one-handed.
For high ceilings, I just raise my ISO to allow for faster recycling times. For an outdoor event, at night, without walls or ceilings, I will hand hold my flash. You can also get a flash bracket to offset your flash, which I'm personally not a fan of using. Setting up light stands with strobes and creating a cross light is also an option, but now we are talking about quite a big setup.
Thanks!
I wish you could of shown different photo examples of the effects you are describing…..you know….before and after kind of thing.
Only talk. No examples .
Thank you.
Examples would be good....A picture paints a thousand....etc etc
The settings difference i believe had to do with the quality of your equipment ok
Dude, you look like Carmy from The Bear...
Excellent! Thank you
Definitely need that R6 flash settings video 🔥
From 6:21. I am doing that in low light photography for events.
Great video, man.
Appreciate it!
Hmmm. if your shutter speed is higher than the sync speed of your camera, usually around 1/200th of a second, then your shutter speed may not occur during the time when the shutter is open and you will lose the complete exposure of the flash, which may well exceed 1/10,000th of a second. Thus, you will only capture a fraction of your flash out put. Thus, your shutter speed can impact hour flash out put. Moreover, flash duration is a function of the flash output, and at 1/16 of the maximum output of many flashes, the duration of many flashes is about 1/8000th of a second, which is about the maximum shutter speed of most SLR. This means that a fill flash of less than 1/16 will probably faster than most shutter speeds of SLR cameras.
Some image samples showing the settings would help a lot!
Great video!
Well Done. Thanks.
literally zero actual tutorial. Less talking on camera and more talking about the camera and settings would be a huge benefit. Not everyone is an auditory learner.
What's with the stupid baseball cap?
Showing sample pics of what you are describing would help understand better. I still enjoyed your video though. Thanks
Excellent video - I love photographing Events. I photographed an event last week in a very nice Wine Bar. The Lighting was low but I knew my Speedlight would make a big difference to the look and feel of the images. My Client was happy with her images. I am glad I found your video, it has added to my data base of knowledge.👍🏽
Already subscribed ❤
Awesome video!!!!!!.. You covered tons of info. I have an old and possibly stupid question, but can you please tell my why nobody use flash brackets anymore?. I'm old school. I love my CB bracket. I shoot on low light conditions and I rely heavily on my flash. The only reason I've dont use my bracket is because I don't want to be embarrassed. What's your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Do not be embarrassed, just use your bracket, then you can concentrate on taking photos. I don't use a bracket, but I do use the flash hand held off camera, with a battered and obviously home made bounce reflector. I'm not at all embarrassed; I just use it. Quite a few flash brackets still in the online shops, so somebody's using them!
I used to have an old Braun 370BVC hammerhead flash. That had its own bracket but there was a quick release mechanism so the 'gun could be swapped between hand held and bracket mounted in a couple of seconds; the best of both worlds.
Good video, Mik; plenty of sound advice.
I don't personally use one because I prefer to bounce my flash whenever possible and flash bracket is useless in that situation. Plenty of people do still use them. If you check out a busy step and repeat, in which a sea of photographers are fighting for the attention of their subject- they're just about all using one.
I have a really cool bracket that Manfrotto has discontinued. It allows me with a turn of a knob to go from landscape to porterait..
A few times I entered a large room and there were mirrors EVERYWHERE. That's was very interesting to shoot.
I’m very impressed with the way you put the video content together, it’s very useful real world information of how to see and use flashes to get the most out of them and take your photography to a whole new level.
Nice man! Would have been cool to show some examples of your work too?
Love the advice. Low light event photography is challenging especially with flash and so hard to make it look great.
Like I say in the video, it's about learning the basic principals and being able to adapt is what it is all about.
Otherwise, solid advice.
Hi, when you mention holding the flash on the other hand you say most modern cameras now have the wireless trigger built in, but from what I'm reading, only cameras with built-in flash can do that. Are you using something else other than the 5D mark IV for that technique?
Hey there,
I actually misspoke when I said that. It was one of those examples of when you have a thought in your head and it just comes out wrong. I believe I added a correction in the description some time ago.
So you are correct. If you only have one light and no built in flash, you would need a trigger to fire off an external flash. There are lots of options available for this. Similarly, you could use an on camera flash to trigger an external one, if you have two flashes of course.
@@MikMilman That makes sense, thanks for taking the time to reply! I'm just getting started with flash and figuring out the gear has been so annoying, I was worried I bought a trigger for no good reason. Also, just in general, thanks for all the great info you share here, I learned a lot!
I'm very happy to hear that. Over time it will become a lot less unmanageable feeling.
Know cellphone camera they are spoiling our job as photographer
Very angry camera person not happy
wait, I can use my camera as a trigger or remote without buying one for my flash?? I'm confused.
Hi Mik, could the godox PB960 reduce the recicling time in a godox V 680 II ( events)? or doesnt help so much?
I don't know enough about those specific products, but a battery pack does help with recycling.
I hate when someone says they made a video on something like I’m here already
I was expecting some sample shots 🙄
Which canon full frame camera triggers the flash wirelessly without a trigger placed on hot shoe ? 3:30
When you say you expose for the ambient light does that mean the camera and flash are in manual?
It's good you told people about the default 'midtone' exposure of the flash (with no fec ). It seems not many people are aware of it. Mind you not many people are aware the camera does the same thing either...which is no surprise if they lear from other youtube videos. Your's is one video that actually tells the truth...
im in so many bs situations that the other day i told someone.. its cool.. ill just light everything with my flash.. you know who you are.. ive been experimenting with all the different flash positions and still i like it best when i just shine bare flash at the subjects.. the colors are more vibrant and snappy.. screw shadows.. no one cares.. no other flash configuration delivers as good a picture.. except maybe a 7 foot umbrella.. not happening on my locations..
I have just bought my first external flash and this is a start for me to learn more how to use it. Thank you Mik.
3:34 what modern day camera has the flash trigger built in?? I just called my local camera store and they had not heard of this either. I trigger with a wireless trigger 🤔🤔
Ok so where are the photos showing the effects of your suggestion- all hat and no cattle
Enlightens content. Thanks bro
Sir is there is technic for camer metrring for flash photography
Do you mean do I recommend any specific CAMERA flash settings?
What are your general settings when you use off camera flash and can't bounce flash because the ceilings are dark? I like that look too but its a challenge for me now because I bounce flash at events way more
For some reason I never got alerted to this comment. Other than setting your flash up to be triggered, there really wouldn't be any special settings.
I wish you showed some photos as examples, would have been more clear
orange filters are mandatory for all indoor lighting.. heres why.. probably no one will listen to me.. do so at your own peril and learn the hard way.. ive been in so many situations where i think the light is white enough only to find that when i light for flash my backgrounds are orange.. screw that.. i had to train myself to ALWAYS use an orange filter on my flash and white balance my shots for the ambient light.. the flash ends up kissing as a fill light to enhance skin tones.. if you dont use the orange filter, people will look blue.. white balance for the room light and use an orange filter as a fill.. if you disregard my advice i just said to you then have fun looking at your terrible pictures later.. ps im so sick of people who talk down to me and tell me to do the wrong thing.. i learned the hard way and now im telling you the easy way..
But like why are you so butthurt lol
Great tips. I love using checklists -- calms me down. Especially good advice to double your commute time to the event. For me to get to downtown Seattle, I'd probably use one of three bridges...all are drawbridges that can go up unexpectedly!
I guess I missed the part where you discussed HOW to use flash to make it look natural. Just a bunch of generalizations.
I am buying my 1st full frame and I have been using a Canon 77D. Since I am doing it for hobby BUT I do have a few dollars towards improving my passion by reducing NOISE and creating great photos. Would you suggest that I look at buying a used 5D Mark iii, or spend more bread and buy a R8 or R6?
Keep in mind that having SHARP photos and reducing NOISE are my 2 main concerns. It drives me bananas to see noise in my photos.
If you can afford an r6 I think that is an incredible camera without compromise. I have an r6 and an r6ii and while the r6ii is better in many many ways from a technical standpoint, I would not argue its game changingly better.
@@MikMilmanThat will be my next purchase R6 mark ii. Now what about a wide zoom lens suggestion? I need something that I could take a picture of like 70 people and everyone's face is sharp AND in focus. 😁
Mik: Magsphere on camera?
Am about to shoot a wedding in a very dark (and cramped) venue with the challenge being very low ceilings for a change.
I have not used one, but it should work the same as cannons included diffusion cap.
I'm not sure why the low ceilings would be an issue, maybe experiment with using your modifier and also bouncing the light off of a corner.
Just found your videos. Very informative. I, too, have an R6. Love the low light capabilities. However, there are times with indoor events fill flash in needed. I just purchased a Godox V1 (with bounce card and dome diffusers). In E-TTL and Program mode what do you recommend for ISO? Or does it not matter? Also, do you recommend powering down the flash to work with the ambient light? Thanks.
Honestly the best content period from a working professional!
Thanks, Jenna.
How do you handle an environment that is dark and the only light available is a bright magenta light ?
I have a short coming soon that somewhat gets into this.
Carmy? Oh wait sorry. Never mind
I mainly use ambient light for my gig photos. I used to shoot a lot of social events and the bounce flash was much better. I have shot in the same venue that had very poor lighting and it was much better with the flash in that case.
Wait!! I don't need a transmitter to trigger my flash?? I shoot with a Nikon Z6 and I've only used natural light. I have a TTL flash but thought I needed the hot shoe to fire...HELP!
No, you do. I had two thoughts in my head at once and misspoke. What I was trying to get at is that if you have a pop up flash you can use that to trigger an external flash. I noted this correction in the description some time ago. If you want to trigger your TTL flash externally, you will need another flash, a transmitter, or a wired connection.
@@MikMilman oh ok awesome! Thanks for the great video!
Let me know if anything else.
Very well explained. But I wish you used example photos
Hey Jeff,
I hear you. When I made this video, this was the absolute best I could do in the midst of a very busy period of work. I wanted to add visual examples, but just didn't have the time. But I listen to feedback and do have future content planned with lots of examples. Stay tuned.
Shutter/ flash sync speed, ISO 100-200, Fstop, 4-5.6, TTL. Go.
What do you think about this speedlite from canon 430EX? Or what fash do you recommend for canon 5D?
Speaking as a beginner: a lot of pages describe iso, exposure, shutter speed while talking. Your video was affective and informing, but Ive yet to see a video where they talk about these subjects while filming the camera its self. Even if you have a different camera, that visual representation could still help people digest the information better.
Do not buy from adorama. Extremely shrewd company. Even when its their fault you have to pay return shipping 16 dollars.
solid conversation. thank you for the effort and the sharing. i am an appreciative subscriber. thumbs up.
Thank you!
What camera are you having in you hand....... is it 6D mark 2?
5d3
9 minutes of words (really, a bunch of them) and not a single image was shown to the public :-)
For the most part you are on point. I think you left out one of the best event set ups which is the flash straight up with a fill card behind the flash. My SB-5000 comes with a built in fill card, I don't like the third party things you strap on. This set up gives you flattering soft light on your subject with a little kick to fill the shadows (which you can adjust depending on card hight). I do also however bounce for direction like you but most large events this isn't an options. Plus you have to take into account the color of the walls or ceilings you are bouncing off of.
One last point, if you are a pro, you should be in manually. mode, you want complete control of your results and for those to be constant. It only takes a second to check to see if you are where you want to be by checking the frame and adjusting. The only time I use any type of flash mode other than that is when I am outdoors at night and photographing a moving subject. I prefer aperture priority, because it is algorithm based setting that takes into account your distance from subject and aperture setting. If your exposure is off you know it out of focus, because the algorithm doesn't miss.
the shutter speed doesn't have an afect on your flash. I have to sync my shutter speed to my flash
Do you mean does?
Good explanation. Thanks from the Philippines.
Great video! Subscribed! 👌🏼
Glad to have ya
Nice work!
Your content is *chefs kiss* Please create a lighting fundamentals series 🙏🙌✨️
I'm not sure when it will be done, but I'm editing a video on low light at this very moment. Did you have any specific questions?
@@MikMilman I'm interested in the science of lighting, first steps to master light and really understand how it works in photography
What do you mean “your shutter will not have an impact on your flash output”? Maybe not if you’re using it in manual mode, but it certainly will if you’re using ETTL. That’s kind of the point; the flash syncs with your shutter (depending on if it is within the flash sync speed).
Time to get a camera of this century
You or me?
The new variables is what makes this so alluring! This is the most exiting time of my life.
Thanks Mik for another great video! 😀
Why do you show like no example
Hello ,
Professional photography is a full-time job for me. Weekly jobs and the editing workload that comes along with it takes up most of my time in a week. Additionally, I am a teaching artist for the department of cultural affairs and teach Jiu jitsu for enjoyment. This means that although what I do on UA-cam is very important to me, and I take the commitment to it seriously, it is still very difficult to get content out on a weekly basis at times. Just getting this video done was difficult enough for me and adding samples would have made it take even longer. But that said, I have been listening to people's feedback and understand how important visual examples are, and going forward will do better to include some. I am always open to constructive feedback or just in general to hearing how I can help my viewers with their photography.
ik zie de hele tijd flitsen vandaag.
intussen is het al 22 06 uur
sinds de middag uren
Is bounce w/diffuser not a practical option? Learned new technical term, “tungsteny” - nice; should be LR slider name😁.
When bouncing flash with the diffusion cap on it, you're going to be draining your flash batteries faster and increasing recycling times. You would think, though, that perhaps you would be getting some fill light doing this, but in my experience, results were worse than bouncing my flash without a diffuser.
Tungsteny (c) Mik Milman