I'm new and seeking advice...

HybridUK

HybridUK

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Chris
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Hi all, my first post here and i'm already looking for help. :help:

I've been told by a lot of people that this is the place to come for help and advice.

Basically tomorrow i've been asked to photograph a VIP coming into my workplace. He will be walking around and talking to various staff so most of the work will be pretty much candid style.

The only equipment I have to hand is a Canon S5 and a 430EX.

I'd love to hear from people who are confident to shoot quality candid photos and to give me a few pointers and tips.

Many many thanks.
 
Try and bounce the flash off a low white celing. I do it all the time, works great!

Basically point your 430ex streight up, it gives a really nice well-rounded natrual light.
 
A few of the locations have MASSIVELY high ceilings, by high i mean at least 40ft. Should i just go for pointing the flash directly at him or try to bounce off something?

The S5 isn't very great using a higher ISO as it's rather noisey.

But thank you very much for the suggestion so far mate. :)
 
You need the flash at an angle of 45deg or 60deg depending how far away your subject is. Don't point it straight up unless you're right next to your subject and then you might be better bouncing it off a wall behind you instead.

If you can, avoid using flash at all - as soon as people are aware of the flash going off you'll lose the candid nature of the shots.
 
If high ceilings are a problem then you'll need to find something else to bounce the flash off, the wall behind you can work if it's not too far away.

Alternatives would be to tape some white kitchen roll in front of the flash to soften it a bit but to be honest it won't make a huge difference. If you do have to resort to direct flash try and use as much of the existing light as you possible can and just use the flash for fill to avoid harsh shadows and the coal cellar effect.
 
Excellent, thanks for the tips.

I just hope i can get some decent shots tomorrow. Luckily it's indoors as the weather isn't exactly the best at the minute. :(
 
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