Lighting options for a garden party - Advice Required

UaeExile

UaeExile

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I've been asked to cover another event for work tomorrow which is serving as a great portfolio building opportunity.

I'll be shooting from later afternoon through the night in a fairly poorly lit garden.

My only real option is on camera flash and I have a couple of manual flashes to help with the changing lighting situation. Unfortunately I don't have a soft diffuser and I'm not sure where I could pick one up for my flashes at such late notice.

So the question is, would a soft diffuser make much difference, or is there something else I might want to consider other than a bare speedlight?
 
Rogue flash bender. I have the flash head angled backwards towards the flash bender and all the light going forward is reflected light. Better than a softbox...no. A reasonable on camera compromise......yes!
 
Yep, as above, get a pice of white card and an elastic band and make yourself something that looks like this - doesn't have to be curved in like that one, just a a flat piece will do the job and bounce/break up the light better than naked flash.

DIY_photography_hacks_flash_photography_tips_DCM107.shoot_hacks.fit_1.jpg

I use a demb flip all the time btw, which has angle adjustment but is still a flat piece of white plastic, works a treat.
 
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Thanks everyone for the advice. As it happens I do have a flashbender, so I might give that a go. I also picked up a plastic diffuser yesterday, so I've got a couple of options to try out!
 
At low light I would say the same rules as in clubs apply. Drag your shutter until you have reasonable ambient exposure, freeze the guests with your flash.

Unless you have ceiling to bounce off the little plastic cap diffuser won't do much to change the character of the light. It will still be a small harsh source, but with a wider throw.
 
Thanks for the advice on this everyone.

The night was bloody tough! The lighting in the garden was shockingly bad, meaning most of my shots are a bit "rabbit in the headlights". I'm sure someone with a little more knowledge of flash could have done a much better job. Still, it was a good experience and I overcame a few reservations I had about "event photography". So wasn't all bad!
 
Care to share some examples so we can see?

I'm going to be taking some casual photos at my sisters wedding in July and will be usuing the flash gun in the evening so will need to do some research and practise!
 
Daymouse said:
Care to share some examples so we can see?

I'm going to be taking some casual photos at my sisters wedding in July and will be usuing the flash gun in the evening so will need to do some research and practise!
Click to expand...
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Daymouse said:
Yeah they look good to me! What do you think is wrong?
Click to expand...

Difficult to say really.

Struggled like hell as the garden was near pitch black.
Wasn't entirely comfortable with the situation as I knew most of the guests through my day job and I could tell they were a little surprised to see me "just taking pictures".
Wasn't entirely comfortable with on camera flash (never thought I'd see the day I was more at ease with off camera!)

All in all it was a really good experience and I learned a lot. I just think I can do much much better with a bit of practice :)
 
Pal you should be proud of them all nicely exposed and some good composition.
In particular the chef and the use of the foreground foliage in the 4th photo down.
 
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Sorry to revive this thread... I was going to let them drift off into obscurity but I've just been asked if I'll do the Embassy's biggest event of the year - The Queens Birthday Party :eek:

The good news is that this event will have tons more photographic opportunities. There's a big band, a well lit podium for speeches, a majlis (traditional vip area), live cooking stations, red carpet etc etc.

One of the things I really want to try and do is capture some movement and atmosphere when the big band fire up. I've never done OCF dance floor shots but wondered if anyone had any tips or words of advice?

As a side note, the queens portrait taken by David Bailey will be on display as well.... Looking forward to seeing that (y)
 
Can I just say something. Im not an experienced Event photographer so cant offer solid grounded advice or comment but theres a few things I can say.

1. The photographs above are good. Infact very good. Far better than many Ive seen in the past. Not as good as some, but far better than others. For someone just learning id be proud of them.

2. If youve been asked to do another event, then someone else is happy with them. If they were considered poor, they would of hired someone else in by now.

3. Believe in yourself.
 
glennk said:
Can I just say something. Im not an experienced Event photographer so cant offer solid grounded advice or comment but theres a few things I can say.

1. The photographs above are good. Infact very good. Far better than many Ive seen in the past. Not as good as some, but far better than others. For someone just learning id be proud of them.

2. If youve been asked to do another event, then someone else is happy with them. If they were considered poor, they would of hired someone else in by now.

3. Believe in yourself.
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to comment Glenn. I did the next event and I'm much happier with them...I felt better prepared and much more relaxed!

Here they are: https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/the-queens-birthday-party-c-c-welcome.586835/
 
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