Nightclub photography help

Al_E11evens

Al_E11evens

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Al Hughes
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Hey guys and gal

Im photographing an event for timeflies on Saturday and was wondering what sort of settings to use on the camera? I have done loads of weddings, action events and landscapes but nothing like this so was wondering if you could maybe shed some info lol.

I will be using a Nikon d7000 with a 17-70 f2.8 macro lens and a flashgun.

Many thanks

Al
 
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there are a few threads on this and it's worth a search
off the top of my head, drag the shutter to get in some ambient light and end curtain on the flash (bounced)
 
centre weighted metering might be worth using so the peoples faces aren't overexposed due to lots of dark areas around them. Best do some test shots early with people who work there?
 
You may find it easier to use front curtain flash and get more results to keep as with as you freeze the people in frame at the start of the exposure :thumbs:

I was doing a little bit of last night at an event using front sync flash 0.4s exposure f/8ish ISO500 if I remember correctly :D

Matt
MWHCVT
 
I'm definitely no expert on the subject, but I've been working for a night club photography company for 18+ months now and am getting good results. Settings obviously vary in different lighting etc but I usually start at around 1/5 f8 ISO 1600. Rear Sync Flash (just using ETTL). I up the shutter if there is fast strobes. There is a great tutorial on this forum somewhere that taught me a lot too.
 
I too am working for a nightclub photography company and generaly use.

1/4 exposure
1600 ISO
f9

Also, use cloudy white balance - gives nice skin tones.

I wouldn't use rear sync, as at least for me if I use ETTL it will fire a flash to start with to get an exposure then fire another flash at the end of the exposure. The people half the time have stopped posing after the first flash.
 
I've never found the posing issue to be a problem if I'm honest. The pre flash is fractions of a second before the main one so I've never had to ask people to pose again...
 
lewyyy said:
I've never found the posing issue to be a problem if I'm honest. The pre flash is fractions of a second before the main one so I've never had to ask people to pose again...
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Depends how long the exposure is I guess. I tend to use quite a long exposure maybe 1/3?
 
Can I get some advice too please? Looks like I may have my first job to shoot at a party which I have been told is in a dark location. I think my kit will be up to the challenge as I have a 5D and a f4 24-105 L lens with a 580EXII, but I am not too familiar with front and back curtain, dragging the lens etc.

They are just after shots of the people there as it will be fancy dress and nothing more. I am more used to shooting in the studio so really not had much issue with lights really, but I thought I would give myself a challenge.

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.
 
lolage said:
How do you get around people posing for the first flash instead of the second then?
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If they are posing (it means you are interacting with them) tell them about the two flashes and you may get more keepers.
 
I was at a nightclub one time and a photographer was taking pics. When he was taking the pictures. He was moving this camera about. a little shaking if u know what i mean. Any idea why he does this???
 
trueno86 said:
I was at a nightclub one time and a photographer was taking pics. When he was taking the pictures. He was moving this camera about. a little shaking if u know what i mean. Any idea why he does this???
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Light trails maybe?

tumblr_lw86fcnP9X1qlwd0go1_500.jpg
 
Yeah made a thread last week about this. Found that best for me was

1/5 - 1/20.
f/5.6 to f/8.
ISO 800 or ISO1600.

Flash 45degree, diffused.
 
This forum is brilliant. It's teaching me loads of new techniques which I'm really greatful of. especially the club photography as That's what I'm mainly doing at the minute.
 
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