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11/15/2008 06:10:00 PM · #1 |
Hi all. I've been asked to shoot the lighting of the town's Xmas tree, but its going to go into dusk/darkness. I'm only going to be able to carry one flash as I'll be running around grabbing kids looking at the tree etc etc, and will have nothing to reflect the flash onto as its all outdoors. I don't want to darken everything in the background by flashing directly at people, and I need to try to get as much of the tree lights as possible. I'm not a flash user, I much prefer to do things in available light, but over 800 ISO my camera gets pretty grainy. Using a tripod and setting it to slow flash sync is an option, but it really restricts my movement.
Any suggestions? |
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11/15/2008 06:37:29 PM · #2 |
| GF lightsphere works great outside... |
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11/15/2008 06:40:35 PM · #3 |
just put it on your flash, point it up and fire away... i use it for closeups with my 50mm 1.4 from about 0.5m and you can get perfect exposures from the flash on the skin tones... use slow shutter 1/10 - 1/20 at around f/1.4 to f/2.8... to expose teh background correctly
Message edited by author 2008-11-15 18:41:03. |
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11/15/2008 06:43:52 PM · #4 |
Hi ISO and really fast prime, with the flash set to -2/3 or so. I'd likely go AV mode and then let the flash just be fill. Bump the ISO high enough to keep a decent shutter speed. You could go manual as long as you keep an eye on things, including the flash power.
Matt
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11/15/2008 11:06:13 PM · #5 |
Set the aperture for the foreground exposure (the people I suppose)- hopefully they'll be away from a wall etc that could cause those crappy shadows from direct flash, and set the shutter speed to expose the background, maybe even .4 of a second? Whaterv fits the bill...
Needless to say, use manual mode and you'll be fine. This way the fast prime approach isnt really required as you'll probs be at around f/ 5-7 to expose the ppl correctly. |
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11/16/2008 10:10:38 AM · #6 |
Strobist info for shooting Christmas lights -- (edit: strobist is must-read for anyone using a flash).
As others have said - balance ambient light and flash by dragging your shutter --- practice this before you get there.
Oh - don't wear clown shoes, they will hinder your walking.
Message edited by author 2008-11-16 10:11:04. |
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