Available Light
Indoor Camera Flash
Expert:
Related topics: Available Light | Camera Technology | Event Photography | Flash Photography | Lighting Techniques | Portrait
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Runtime - length of the film: 17m11s
Language: english
Skill level:
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Summary:
In this practical FotoTV tutorial photographer and blogger Dirk Wächter demonstrates how to achieve better flash photos in indoor areas.
Most photographers know that shooting indoor flash photos can be at times quite challenging and some photographers are even often shocked at their results of overexposed people in the foreground and dark undistinguishable backgrounds. Weddings, corporate functions and birthday parties are just some of the situations where an additional light source is needed to achieve great indoor photography results. Today Wächter discusses numerous manual and AV camera and flash settings and useful techniques for indoor portrait photography, as well as a few special effects that will more than satisfy your expectations. The settings and techniques he demonstrates result in great lighting on people in the foreground and still have the impact of the room lighting and features in the surrounding shot.
Wächter does not stop with producing fantastic portraits; he also shows several special effect techniques. Although using slow sync flash is for more complicated exposures, Wächter uses it to compose an impressive and creative shot using blurry long exposures. Your photo will definitely stand out of using this technique.
As we watch Wächter, we learn the best way to become better at flash photography is to analyze the photos and try to figure out what could have been done differently in order to create a better flash-filled exposure. Simply follow his tips and techniques, and you too will be creating stunning indoor flash photos.
On Location
Expert:
Related topics: Available Light | Lighting Techniques | location | Photo Trips | Photo Workshops | Portrait
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Runtime - length of the film: 17m03s
Language: english
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Summary:
In this FotoTV film, photographer Steve Thornton discusses and demonstrates shooting on location in a fantastic urban setting in Cologne, Germany. Other informative topics that are covered are: Models and directing them, location lighting and understanding how it affects the subject and overall scene, locations and how to scout the right one and which equipment is necessary to bring on location.
Many new photographers do not have the time or resources to obtain a studio or studio equipment. At the same time many studio photographers do not understand the potential problems when shooting at an unfamiliar location and there is almost always something unexpected that arises. Thornton guides us on his approach to shooting on location, giving many helpful tips and useful techniques. First, he scouts a location beforehand, evaluating the possibility to shoot at that location and get several scenes or shots from that one location. Today he has scouted an incredible gritty location that is not frequented by many people with some graffiti on the walls, nice textures and alleyways.
We learn from Thornton that urban scenes can be an excellent backdrop full of photographic potential for fashion work; not only the streets themselves but also warehouses, industrial areas, alleyways, doorways, and walls with old paint peeling off, anything that may provide you with remarkable shots and work visually with the subject.
Thornton uses the natural lighting conditions to his best advantage, often using a reflector for fill or a diffuser scrim to create pleasing lighting effects. He also makes appoint to change his perspective several times throughout shooting a scene to ensure the best shot possible. “Standing static in one place while photographing your model will definitely not provide any good shoots. It's important to move around and change your point of view.” He says.
Directing the models is also very important to Thornton, as he points out it is the best way to get what you want for that perfect shot. And to get that perfect shot he recommends doing whatever it takes, whether it be kneeling, or even lying on the ground. As most location photographers will learn, getting dirty once in a while comes with the territory.
Highlights in Low Light
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Runtime - length of the film: 15m19s
Language: english
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Summary:
At a time when most photographers are finished shooting for the day, photographer Martin Krolop is just getting started. Armed with his trusty Canon 50d speed-light Krolop brings us another sure to be appreciated topic, this time producing exciting portrait photos at night.
Krolop demonstrates how to combine the use of available light, a flash and the night setting as a backdrop, to enhance and compliment the overall picture of nighttime portrait photography. He begins by explaining the lighting techniques under different lighting conditions at night, then demonstrating for the viewers step-by-step the various technical aspects of the shoot such as, selected aperture and exposure, as well as the chosen lens and respective focal depth. He also explains with the help of two test shots the importance of using a wider composition in combination with a wide aperture, "Since the depth of field is very sensitive under such low light conditions the area of sharpness comprises only a few centimeters when shooting portrait shots at night", says Krolop.
On average, during the night most light comes from above and it is these street-lamps and other light sources that produce an unappealing sinister look in portraiture. As Krolop continues with test shots, we learn the best solution to remedy this situation is a fill flash, which actually in most situations adds the finishing touch to photographing a beautiful portrait at night.
In another setup Krolop uses a wonderful background light scenario with his model placed in the foreground to add depth and layers to his photo. Specifically, in this case the light comes from the background, not from above. In order to capture the pleasant light ambience of the background as well as keep his main subject the main point of interest Krolop illuminates her face from the front, which results in a synchronized lighting effect between the subject and background.
Background light at night is static, meaning, it is what it is and cannot be influenced or changed, therefore using a flash on the subject will only affect the subject. In order to use lights in the background a part of the overall composition when photographing portraits at night, Krolop explains that a high ISO, a wide aperture and fast shutter speed must be used. Since the background lights are as bright as they can be, only the subject is affected from the front by the flash illumination and preceding camera settings accordingly.
One superb highlight of the video is Krolop taking shots in the photo-series mode, using the AF micro adjustment focusing mode on the Canon 50d, producing six pictures per second as the model walks toward him, in various poses and positions, creating a eye-catching flow of movement throughout the composition. In conclusion, Krolop recommends when shooting in extreme lighting conditions to always use the middle focal point to measure focus.
Based out of Bonn, Krolop comprises half of the creative team at Krolop & Gerst photography. Combining traditional photography techniques with the latest technology and software, Krolop and Gerst specialize in editorial, fashion, location and wedding photography, providing excellent visual solution services to many satisfied clients.