Combining flash with ambient light is an art. Achieving this balance is key to capturing sharp, vibrant photos in various settings.
Coming to you from Neil van Niekerk, this insightful video explains the process of capturing dynamic dance shots in an urban setting. Van Niekerk emphasizes the importance of balancing camera settings and flash settings to achieve well-lit, sharp images. He starts by considering the background and composition, which are as crucial as the technical settings. Understanding the movement range and timing of the dancer is vital. Van Niekerk recommends doing a test shot without flash to get the framing right before adjusting the settings.
For this session, Van Niekerk used the Profoto B10X along with a collapsible strip box. This combination is powerful yet lightweight, making it easy for his assistant to handle. The narrow rectangular strip box is versatile, allowing for both narrow and wide light coverage depending on how it's rotated. This setup is perfect for navigating tight spaces and moving around the city.
Van Niekerk's camera settings for the main shot included an aperture of f/2.8, ISO 160, and a shutter speed of 1/1,000th of a second. The high shutter speed is essential to freeze the dancer's movements, as relying on the flash alone wouldn't suffice due to the balance of ambient light. This method also avoids the need for a neutral density filter. High-speed sync allows for consistent exposure adjustments without recalculating the flash output.
In addition to the technical setup, Van Niekerk highlights the importance of being prepared and adaptable. He suggests doing homework and testing beforehand to understand the distances and settings needed for specific shots. This preparation allows for quick adjustments on location, ensuring the session runs smoothly.
For another example, Van Niekerk shares a shot taken at f/3.5, ISO 500, and a shutter speed of 1/3,200th of a second. Here, the dancer is illuminated by sunlight, adding punchy light to the image and contrasting with the background. This intentional use of natural light complements the flash setup and enhances the overall composition. Check out the video above for the full rundown from van Niekerk.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
This is such a great video explaining why you still might need to use faster shutter speeds when using flash to freeze motion. So many times we think of flash duration which does help but it's easy to get that smearing effect. I'm actually working out a photoshoot outside with water and this has me thinking about this very concept a bit more in depth now.