Option 1: Shooting full manual camera & full manual flash (Most challenging & slowest but most consistency & control): 1. Set your camera to manual & expose for your ambient light using shutter/aperture/ISO combo. A good starting place is as @christineDibiase wrote (1/60-1/100 and ISO 400 - 1200). I would go even as far as ISO 3200. Then, only make small half-full stop adjustments to ISO if the lighting changes a little. 2. Set your flash to manual 1/32 power, stand in front of your model at the desired distance. 3. Shoot. If your model is too dark increase the flash power by a stop or two. If your model is too bright, decrease the flash power by a stop or two. Don't touch the camera settings for adjusting flash brightness! Option 2: Shooting semi-auto camera mode (i.e. Aperture or Shutter priority) & full manual flash (Easier & quicker than Option 1 but you lose some consistency & control): 1. Set your camera to one of the semi auto modes & expose for your ambient light first using either shutter/ISO or aperture/ISO combo respectively depending on which semi-atuo mode you chose. If you think the camera's metering of the scene is too bright or too dark then use the EXPOSURE compensation button on your camera to increase or decrease the exposure by a stop or two. The exposure compensation function overrides the camera's suggested "correct" metering allowing you to fine tune exposure to taste. 2. Set your flash to manual 1/32 power & stand in front of your model at the desired distance. 3. Shoot. If your model is too dark increase the flash power by a stop or two. If your model is too bright, decrease the flash power by a stop or two. Don't touch the camera settings for adjusting flash brightness! Option 3: Shooting semi-atuo camera mode (i.e. Aperture or Shutter priority) & TTL-flash (Easier & quicker than option 2 but you lose a little more consistency & control than Option 2): 1. Set your camera to one of the semi auto modes & expose for your ambient light first using either shutter/ISO or aperture/ISO combo respectively depending on which semi-atuo mode you chose. If you think the camera's metering of the scene is too bright or too dark then use the EXPOSURE compensation button on your camera to increase or decrease the exposure by a stop or two. The exposure compensation function overrides the camera's suggested "correct" metering allowing you to fine tune exposure to taste. 2. Set your flash to TTL mode & stand in front of your model at the desired distance. 3. Shoot. If your model is too dark increase use the FLASH EXPOSURE compensation button on your flash unit to increase power by a stop or two. If your model is too bright, decrease the flash power by a stop or two using the same FLASH EXPOSURE compensation button. Don't touch the camera settings for adjusting flash brightness! Option 4: Full auto camera & TTL flash (Easiest and quickest but least consistent and no control): 1. Set your camera to full auto & set your flash to TTL. 2. Point and shoot. Which one of these options to use is down to personal preference and taste. If you're in a fast paced environment, care more about getting the shot and don't care about consistency, well then option 4. If you're in a slow paced environment, want full control & consistency then option 1. I personally shoot option 2 most times as I dislike the camera metering pre-flash on TTL-Flash mode (wastes battery quicker than manual flash). NOTE: If you're looking to add drama to your shoot, you can try and underexpose your ambient exposure by a stop of two before then adding flash. Hope this clears some things up )

@KeriLovell

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome reply, thank you

@radshoesbro

2 жыл бұрын

Forgive my ignorance here, but how does one make a half-stop ISO adjustment?

@glenjfilms1835

2 жыл бұрын

@@radshoesbro Doubling your iso is adding a full stop of light. So from 100 to 200. Or 400 to 800. Or 6400 to 12800. So half that value is a half stop of light. 100 to 150 or 400 to 600…. You get the idea

@BealeIam

2 жыл бұрын

Option 5. Full manual camera. Ttl Flash 👌

@sgolonks

Жыл бұрын

@@BealeIam that's how I do it!

You've helped me out when it comes to shooting indoor events when I am using bounced flash and don't want the backgrounds behind my subjects to go dark.

PERFECT video for me, got an event shoot coming up this weekend. Thanks David!

We dont choose a video, a video chooses us!!!! I was waiting, frantically searching for knowledge like this. Cannot thank you enough.!!!! Love from India🇮🇳

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Glad to help! Next time, just Ask David Bergman. :)

nice and clear explanation of how to use a flash for a beginner. helped me more than a lot of the videos I've watched

Great video. There are so many ways to push or bounce light just be careful of ceiling colors as bars are generally dark colored. I've used an index card and rubber band to bounce light.

Always good stuff. I sometimes share these with students at the school where I work.

Great video Dave. Depending on the wall color and distance, sometimes I point the flash 180 degrees back. A powerful flash brightens up the whole room with no harsh light or harsh shadows.

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Good tip. But just like I said to some others posters below about bouncing off a side wall, you can't depend on a wall being in the right place all the time during a "run and gun" situation.

Great tip and example. Nice to see you back at Adorama.

Dave you are always so good, i learn a lot from you buddy!

Love it!! Each time I rewatch it, I learn something new again that I missed before. 📸💯✅

This video was so helpful! Thank you very much 🙏😍

Very well explained! Thank you so much!

A true master of your craft 👍🏽

Just bought a Godox V860iii and this is a brilliant tutorial for me as I didn’t know how to balance flash with ambient light. Big 👍

That was so freaking helpful!!!! thank you!

Extremely useful video. I have been struggling with indoor events

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Glad this helps!

Thanks for that. Makes a lot of sense.

David, that was great info. Very helpful. Thank you!

Very valuable video. I am shooting every night this week at an event and while I have been successful in the past, this video clearly explained what I think I am doing and will help me problem solve much faster and get set up right out of the gate. One this to mention is that you need to stand the same distance from your subject also so as to not have to change settings.

Excellent video!!

Thank you so much, just the video I needed!!

Good info ..... learning alot

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks.

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Happy to help!

@vimalneha

4 жыл бұрын

@@DavidBergmanPhoto I have one question. Do I need to have Flash that has iTTL when I am buying a trigger from the same company that is having both iTTL and manual mode? In my understanding, I can mount a manual flash over iTTL trigger as on the Camera and also use off camera flash still being able to use iTTL mode of the camera because the trigger is iTTL capable. One with HSS flash and iTTL capable trigger: www.amazon.de/dp/B01M1HTK5K/?coliid=I2GJT17E9A3MS1&colid=J7QGI0CTJSFK&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Another manual flash with iTTL capable trigger: www.amazon.de/dp/B0194S54SQ/?coliid=I3AVTDEDA0B9NU&colid=J7QGI0CTJSFK&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Thank you so much for this

Just in time for a brush up on indoor flash photography. NY is too cold for any outdoor activity lol.

amazing !! thank you

So helpful ❤️

வீடியோ மிகவும் பயனுள்ளதாக இருந்தது மிக்க நன்றி இரா.மனோகர் சென்னை . Very useful video sir, I learned lot from it, looking forward more videos like this keep it up good work, thank you R.MANOHAR ,Chennai.

Awesome video and commentary 👌

Gold! Thank you 😊👍

Awesome video

Thanks very very much and that really helps me David....cheers Ed.C here :)

Perfect, I'm shooting my daughter's baby shower this weekend. Now I know what to do for lighting.

Great advice!

2nd time watching this video. I had not originally paid much attention to how the Inverse Square Law effects this type shooting (dark background), but after watching again and trying to guess what David was going to do about the dark background, it then set off the "light bulb" of what I already knew, but didn't access that part if my brain at the time. Thanks so much for this tutorial video.

thank you!!!!

Not many people explain things as well And clear as David

Thank you!

Great vid. There are modifiers where you wouldn't have to sacrifice the warmth and you can control whether or not you want to include the frontal light as well as ceiling bounce in your exposure (Flashbenders, the Demb bounce cards, and many others do this. The MagBounce is an either or situation and that's a huge con for me). Oh, it's VERY important to note that if your event location is extremely dark, TTL will NOT work for you. At that point there is little choice but to use manual flash. And yes, it's doable. Just takes a decent amount of practise.

Great video. Do you use the pop down diffuser on your speedlight when bouncing the light?

Helpful video

Simple and effective

Thanks so much

Great 👍🏼 thanks.

Hi, I really appreciate this. Quick question I am doing a sports team photo indoors inside a gym for my very first time. Would the bounce of the light with the magnetic piece bounce to cover 11 kids?

Should have mentioned the fact that you were using TTL in the beginning of the video, would have made it easier for beginners to understand the whole video 😉

@motoken

4 жыл бұрын

I was about to say lol...

@bigdave1885

3 жыл бұрын

I certainly wouldn't use that honking set-up for run and gun...looks heavy .

@PHOTOREACTION

3 жыл бұрын

Actually it says that at the end...did yoy see it until the end?

@3-piece129

2 жыл бұрын

I just saw another video that says to not use ETTL! What the heck!

@mbismbismb

Жыл бұрын

Thats why i was wonder why he didnt even bother to change the power of the flash lol

Hi David, thank you for your vídeo! One question if you don't mind... How do you handle White balance when you use flash, on Auto?? Also, if your calling is Too high and no Walls near, would you use that Magmode or something similar or is it better to shoot straight do the person?? Thank you so much!

David you mentioned you use TTL on the flash, but on the camera are you using manual, manual with auto ISO, shutter speed priority, aperture priority, or something else so you don't need to constantly adjust the ambient light/exposure for the background? Thanks

But with ceiling what flash zoom you use auto or range?

Hope you manage to answer this before Saturday 😬 My camera has an option for object flash focus or blend with the background light focus. We are going to a Xmas dinner on Saturday, and I'm thinking about bringing my camera and take photos. Standard camera flash, not a pro version. There will be solo and group shots. My flash can go 3 steps up and to the sides.

I will say this is the best on camera flash video on the hold KZread!

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I used to do event ("Party PIc") photography back in the film camera days. With a standard auto thyristor flash, no TTL required - no changing apertures required. You set the flash and the aperture to f/5.6 and leave it alone. The DOF that provides on a 50mm lens is enough to get good focus using the "zone focus" method: 2-3 people = 5ft away, 4-7 people = 7ft away, bigger groups = 10ft. Mark your lens with some glow in the dark tape and just turn to the appropriate point on the lens depending on group size. The flash will take care of the exposure by consistently putting out the appropriate amount of light to get an exposure at f/5.6 (we were using ISO 400 film).

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Ah the good ole' days! Technology has made things easier and more complicated at the same time. :)

This was perfect!!!

Please let us know if you find something better. Thanks for the video.

Would adding a cto and changing white balance help the background color

Great video. I have a grown folks birthday party to shoot. It's usually pretty dark at these events. I like to keep my ISO below 2000 if I can. I got the diffuser that came with my speed light, the built in flash card pop up bounce thing, and a Gary Fong spaceship looking thing. I'm not sure which way to go with so many choices so my plan is to have a look at the space fire some test shots then formulate a plan of action based on the ceiling. I just bought an sb 700 and since it has that pop up bounce card I think it will help with exposure when I'm zooming in from far away. That's why I'm hoping for a lower ceiling so I don't have to use anything but what comes with the speed light and just point at the ceiling, switching back and forth between pop up can and no card. My question is really about my lense choice. I have a 44-70 f2.8 and a 24-120 f4. I'm leaning towards the 24-120 because of the ability to zoom further even tho the 24-70 can let in more light. I'm thinking I don't need the 2.8 if I have a flash and want more things in focus. What say you? I know I said allot, lol.

@jasonbodden8816

4 ай бұрын

If it's a choice beterrn the crappy bounce card that comes with speedlights and the Gary Fong Lightsphere, definitely go with the Gary Fong. Much nicer quality of light.

I’ve got the Magmod system and I love it! I’ve gotten into the habit of shooting flash in manual, but I think it’s time to do a little ETTL testing again. Thanks for the video David and Adorama.

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

I use manual for controlled situations where my lights are on stands and are the same distance from the subject for every shot. But when working "run and gun," TTL is the way to go so the flash adjusts as necessary when you move closer or farther away from your subject.

@normankleinberg5525

4 жыл бұрын

@@DavidBergmanPhoto That makes sense, but your settings for the background (i.e. aperture, SS and ISO) were all "guesstimates"? Also, why do you distinguish aperture from SS and ISO when adjusting for the background exposure: Is it because you have a specific DOF in mind? Otherwise, in theory, if you wanted, couldn't you just open up the aperture to get a brighter background and have the TTL adjust the flash output? BTW, thanks for the clear explanation.

@jasonbodden8816

Жыл бұрын

@@normankleinberg5525 I know this is 2 years later but when you shoot anything you should choose your aperture by the look you want your pictures to have - that generally means when you choose your aperture you have a certain depth of field in mind. To drink in more ambient light in the scene you COULD open up your aperture but then you'd be changing your depth of field, ergo the general look of your pictures. What you need to do is slow your shutter speed down a bit and raise your ISO to let more light into your camera.

Great video, thank you. I have a. job coming up where I need to shoot 12 girls indoors either in a single row or maybe 2 rows. How would you suggest I light for something like this?

Why did you choose of raising the ISO instead of lowering the shutter speed?

All flash setting aside, what WB white balance method are you using? Daylight, shade, auto, flash or custom? thanks!

This helped me a lot, thank you. Can you give some direction on this idea but for the outdoors - what do I do if it gets dark outdoors?

Hi. I like to learn why the flash zoom works and why different setting on the zoom gives different results. // José

can i ask how to setting VK750 SPEEDLITE to canon 60D for indoor thanks

Nice video. The trick is to have the power setting to a constant power, subject at the same distance ex 10ft., aperture and shutter for the general location fixed, then use a zoom to frame subject. Make your settings work for the most general background. That's my formula.

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely right if you can keep the subject at the same distance. But that's not always the case in every situation.

@jasonbodden8816

4 ай бұрын

For run and gun event photography this plan of action doesn't work.

Hi David This is a pretty good video . I'm trying to learn how to use my on camera flash . Its hard to find a video that shows how to use it with normal every day use like taking photo of the 4 year old grand baby playing in the house . Or a family get together group photo around the Christmas tree . I want to control the shutter speed because of the fast moving 4 year old , I want to try to avoid hand movement blur . With the group photo I want to know how to set the flash before hand with a group photo as once everyone is lined up a don't have to take 20 shots to get the right lighting . How do I figure out the settings before hand to get the peoples faces the correct exposure and the Christmas tree behind them . I have the most impatient family ever . I never realized how hard it is to get say 10 people to just look at the camera and stand in one spot for say 2 minutes can be . How do I know what power of flash to use ? If I want to control the shutter speed , aperture and iso how does the flash in Auto ettl mode know what power to flash at ? Lets say for example I want to have the Christmas tree just behind everyone in perfect exposure and I want the people in front of the tree in perfect exposure How to I adjust the flash so it doesn't effect the tree lights but lights up the peoples faces to the correct exposure at the same time ?

Just curious. What settings did you use on the flash and also I have used a speedlight on my Nikon camera and when I do, no matter which settings or mode it shows underexposed. Any ideas why that would be? It only happens when using a speedlight. I mostly shoot in Manual, sometimes Aperture. I have tried setting the flash on manual and 1/32 or 1/16 power.

The fstoppers flashdisc is the best modifier ive used for this, eats light but results are great when you cant bounce flash. Only downside is everyone asks you "what the hell is that thing"

@wendystumbaugh695

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaaaaaa!!!!

in this scenario how do you take a portrait orientation picture at a event. How do you bounce light?

Loved the video but it would be really helpful if you showed your photos side by side and pointed out the differences.

I just checked up for a Magmod last night, but it’s out of stock due to the supply chain problems

hi i want to ask for something whenever i put flash on my camera its gets darker so sometimes its hard to focus on subject , my camera is m50 and its not good with high iso (over 800) even 1/1 flash power is not enough to bright the place T.T but when i put the flash on tripod and use transmitter its getting brighter again but as you know in events and birthdays its hard to put the flash on a specific place🥲 my flash is godox tt600

Hi David. When shooting TTL, your camera doesn't know if your flash is straight toward your subject or if you are bouncing the light on the ceiling. Do you have to adjust it with flash compensation? Also, if you focus on your subject and recompense your frame, does the TTL mesure stays the same or changes as the focus point is not the same. Hope my English and questions are clear enough 😬

@Skux720

Жыл бұрын

If you're using TTL the flash will set the power automatically using its pre-flash as a guide, so you don't need to worry about compensation.

@jasonbodden8816

7 ай бұрын

@@Skux720 You need to worry about compensation if TTL doesn't give you the exposure you want. In that case you use FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) to override what TTL is giving you.

So you're in TTL (through the lens / auto mode) for this, so the camera & flash are compensating (sending less light on to Brooke) as you bump up the ISO to bring out the back ground..

nice tuto. iso 3200 makes 5 stops with respect to iso100 to cover few meters of background ? so F/2.8, iso 800, 1/100sec would make the job on my d300+24-70 2.8 with sb900 in ttl ?

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Really just depends how bright or dark the background is. Set your exposure for that and then add the TTL flash in. Sometimes depth of field at 2.8 might be a little too shallow - especially if photographing multiple people, but it's personal preference.

Brooke looks gorgeous

Please mention the setting also when preview the photo taken

Shooting with our DSLR at horizontal shots the flash light bounce fine but how about when we use our DSLR to vertical shots? I found the flash won't bounce evenly to the model even using light modifier.

@wendystumbaugh695

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah - sometimes I still shoot horizontal, and then I just crop vertically in post. This way, I don’t get that funky side shadow. If there isn’t a wall in back of the subject, I’ll just shoot with my camera aim the vertical position.

@jasonbodden8816

2 жыл бұрын

Don't mount your modifier on the broad side of the flash like most of the manufacturers advertise; instead, mount the modifier on the narrow end of your speedlight. That way you can seamlessly switch between vertical and horizontal orientation and your light stays above your lens. Learned that several years ago watching a vid and never mounted modifiers on the broad side again! :)

Could you use a gel to warm it up

its a good informative video however I found some key information missing. basically how do you meter the flash light with the magbounce on it. do you use TTL or do you control it manually and if it is done manually, how do you do it? the same question also applies to bouncing the light off the ceiling or side walls. hope you can answer them.

2 жыл бұрын

I have the same question!

@jasonbodden8816

Жыл бұрын

The whole video is him using TTL. TTL takes into account the modifier, bounce, distance and all that stuff. But if you have to do it manually, you would have no choice but to do it on the spot. That's just the nature of manual flash in a run and gun event situation. But the more you practice doing it the easier it becomes and you get to know the ballpark power settings for the distances between you and your subjects.

im still having issues with dark background.. OR blown out if I set exposure for background... what metering method is being used?

Looks like you have a very large soft light at the side of your subject, if I’m correct. Doesn’t that mean these pictures are not solely the product of a one on camera light setup?

I've been trying to find videos on OUTDOOR night time flash for wedding receptions and I've had NO luck.

Ambient light - what if it’s fluorescent ( I know many are color balanced … but…) We used to have to gel the light source

TTL, Manual?

Thanks for your video. However, I don't see how it's run and gun if you had to preset your exposure (3) settings. I know you can bring in the background by lowering your shutter speed, but doesn't increasing the ISO make everything brighter. Also, I need to know what metering mode (I assume evaluative) and shutter/aperture priority modes (you said preset the shutter speed). So, with your settings, you cannot move backward or forward. As Gabriel said, what about the power setting on the flash? Is it auto or manual, etc.

@deerenz225

4 жыл бұрын

He did state at the end best use flash settings on ettl and not manual else you have to keep making changes on the go.

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

I'm presetting the 3 exposure settings and locking them in to expose for the background. Then letting the flash (on TTL) adjust frame-to-frame for the light on the subject as needed based on my distance to her as it changes. I'm using evaluative metering.

@jasonbodden8816

2 жыл бұрын

@@deerenz225 It's doable in Manual flash. Just takes a decent amount of practise. In super dark environments TTL is NOT your friend.

i like to see him do it on an old crop camera like the 7d mark 1 with a kit lens no primes or anything below 5.6 fstop

@tristiantoraflesia6849

3 жыл бұрын

In 2019 im takin a wedding event with canon 700d and on camera flash, its still good ..

@jasonbodden8816

Жыл бұрын

LOL. It's not some kind of magical feat. It's just the same. It doesn't matter the camera you use - and it certainly doesn't matter if it's a crop sensor or full frame - the technique is the same and will produce great results once you know what you're doing.

I use the modifiers you mention but how do you adjust for a vertical shot?? I am using a stroboframe bracket which helps but if flash is mounted on camera and you go vertical, then won't the light from the magbounce be directional from the side??

@jasonbodden8816

Жыл бұрын

Yip. Which is why I don't use the Magbounce. Plenty other modifiers out there you can mount on the narrow end of your flash so when you tilt your camera vertically your light stays above your lens, no bracket needed.

Boss u made me click you video because of thumbnail 🤣🤣

I use the Canon EOS R I pushed my ISO 1250 1600 3200 with a flash. I get a ton of noise??? Can you tell me how camera does not show noise and grain? What am I doing wrong

When I use the flash , there are plenty of shadows appearing on all images, some images goes very dark even after firing flash straight. Is there any thing I should do with the flash zoom ?or how can I get a poc without shadow in it. Pls answer

I am confused. So by just by bumping up the ISO around 4:45 and you get the same exposure on the subject but the background is suddenly exposed properly?! How is that possible? Is that because you're using the flash in TTL mode?

@jasonbodden8816

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. TTL is an automatic flash setting. No matter what combination of settings (Aperture, shutter speed, ISO) you set your camera to - within reason, of course - TTL will adjust the flash power in an effort to keep giving you a consistent exposure until you adjust Flash Exposure Compensation to either darken or brighten your flash exposure on your subject.

Wondering why you wouldn’t lower the shutter speed first to bring in the background and then raise ISO as needed? I generally shoot between shutter speed 1/60 to 1/100 when run and gun around a room and keep my ISO generally between 400 & 1200. Just wondering. I also like the Gary Fong lightsphere.

@DavidBergmanPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Christine DiBiase It’s personal preference. Just depends how much motion blur you want in the background.

@kiyoshim9593

3 жыл бұрын

@@DavidBergmanPhoto Preference or need?

@slimhim

2 жыл бұрын

@@kiyoshim9593 preference and also choice

Play in manual mode settings and turn down the flash power to match the background lighting

@fishhisy

3 жыл бұрын

That's not how that works buddy, you use the shutter speed to control the ambient light, aperture and iso control the flash power requirements.

@jasonbodden8816

4 ай бұрын

@@fishhisy Well, preferably, you want to adjust your flash power from the flash itself.

what was the power of your flash?

That set up looks heavy ? How do you manage to shoot for 4 to 5 hours straight, my back hurts literally from a shoot yesterday for 5 hours

And ceiling talk depends on height correct? I would assume ball rooms might have a high one

@jeffnewman8261

3 жыл бұрын

Correct. The higher the ceiling the further the light from the flash had to travel the more flash power you'll need.

I get a dark shadow sometimes when i use this flash, i saw a video where they mentioned how to fix it. Anyone here to help with that?

what were your camera settings

How do I do exposure compensation using a manual flash?

@geru2000

4 жыл бұрын

Flash in manual; raise or lower the power of the flash to increase or decrease exposure. Flash in TTL; use FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) to increase or decrease exposure. Flash in TTL will fire at relatively the same power as long as nothing has changed with the on camera settings or the flash distance o subject. FEC tells the flash to increase or decrease the power by the number you've dialed in. In other words it's TTL + or - the number you dialed in.