nightlife photography equipment - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/21/2006 10:15:10 AM · #1

i find myself fascinated by this site:

//www.ambrel.net/index.html

(not totally work-safe)

i'm wondering if you guys have any idea about what kind of flash setup he might be using that lights people's faces but not so INYOURFACE with the flash. i really like how the light seems to hit exactly where he needs it to and falls off behind the subjects.

thoughts?

Message edited by author 2006-02-21 10:16:44.

Nald

Nikon D700

02/21/2006 10:24:25 AM · #2

My first guess is that he's bouncing it off of a card or something. Possibly a defuser of some kind?

But that's just a guess from a newbie...

cislander

Olympus E-3

Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Zuiko Digital

02/21/2006 10:30:35 AM · #3

I get that kind of light at poorly lit parties by directing my flash backwards. Why this works, I don't know but it does. It gives you a nice soft light that doesn't travel much past your subject.

Nald

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/21/2006 10:34:11 AM · #4

hummmm...interesting, makes sense. Now if someone would like to send me a sb800 I'd be more than happy to test that theory out. ;-)

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/21/2006 10:37:05 AM · #5

cislander: really?

i don't even think my flash turns all the way backwards.

huh. i just tried it and it works. who the hell knew?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

02/21/2006 10:39:10 AM · #6

If your flash doesn't flip backwards, you can mount it on the camera backward. its how I used to use my sony in the studio.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/21/2006 10:42:50 AM · #7

I recently did some shooting at a gothic ball, and found the reverse firing of the Flash helped really get a nice feel. Though most of the shooting I did was without flash.

I also did some shooting with the flash stepped down a notch or 3 in intensity. This helps as lot as well...

More photos of the event

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/21/2006 10:44:34 AM · #8

i really have to learn how to use my damned flash. lol

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

02/21/2006 10:55:44 AM · #9

Muckpond, do you know how to lower the intensity on your flash? I've found this helps greatly.

It seems to me most flashes are so bright and powerful that they're all defaulted to "overpowerful". And by lowering the intensity a few notches I find that it gives a much more natural feel.

02/21/2006 10:57:58 AM · #10

i should be all overconfident and say "yes!" but i really don't.

every time i try to stop down the power it's too far. :( i need to go out some night and just shoot random people for practice. i've been assigned lots of night shooting lately which is great, but i don't really have time to figure out what i'm doing.

i really really admire the kind of shots found on the site in the original post.

02/21/2006 10:58:46 AM · #11

so, to fully come clean, i introduce my new signature. lol.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/21/2006 04:04:18 PM · #12

any other ideas? i got another night shoot and i need help!

Nald

Nikon D700

02/21/2006 04:45:16 PM · #13

Originally posted by muckpond:

any other ideas? i got another night shoot and i need help!

What kind of night shoot? Indoors / outdoors?

These were shot at night w/ no flash, I used my tripod and like a 4 second exposure at or around f/4.5 on the first one and f/11 @ 1/1.6 second on the second.

and

Not sure if that helps?