tricks for nightclub shoots

nuttyhannah · 1 Jul 2009

I've been doing nightclub photography.
I have a canon 450D, 18-50 and a 2.8 aperture and a 580EX flash gun.

My pics are ok..
but i want some new crazy pictures.. what can i do..
What would enhance them..

Any tricks guys... ???

hannah

josh mcgarel · 1 Jul 2009

what about using a slower shutter speed. then moving the camera a bi during the exposure and then having the flash fire at the end of the exposure so it freezes the subject then you get the subject and lovely light trails

nuttyhannah · 1 Jul 2009

how do i set the flash to go of at the end .. do you know..?
x

HoppyUK · 2 Jul 2009

nuttyhannah said:
how do i set the flash to go of at the end .. do you know..?
x

Second curtain sync button on the back of the flash.

For the movement part, you can either move the camera, or get people to wave lights around during the exposure. Or perhaps a bit of both.

If you use normal first curtain sync it is much easier to predict how the flash image will appear, especially if you are moving the camera around.

packham · 2 Jul 2009

Dont you need to set the 2nd curtain sync on the camera too (in custom function)? Enough to set it on the flash?

Jayst84 · 2 Jul 2009

packham said:
Dont you need to set the 2nd curtain sync on the camera too (in custom function)? Enough to set it on the flash?

Settings on the flash should override the settings on the camera.

packham · 2 Jul 2009

Oooh thanks

paleblue · 2 Jul 2009

i like using settings similar to these for bars/clubs: f10 1.6sec iso200 with flash on (that's an exif from one shot, but I will usually change depending on the light in the room). While the shutter is open I will move the camera away and catch some lights in there, but try not to go too crazy otherwise you will spoil the shots with streaks of multicoloured light.

With the smaller aperture and lower iso, you will find your shots super sharp too

rotherad · 2 Jul 2009

Be careful to not use such a slow shutter speed in nightclubs with lots of lights, when I am taking pictures in bars with static normal lighting 1sec is fine but in a dance club i stick more to 1/4s at f/4 ISO400 which works really well for me.

Rikki · 2 Jul 2009

Blast ISO to 1600/3200, low f stop, 1/20ish, first curtain shutter:

Huujuu · 2 Jul 2009

Cracking shots

Rikki · 3 Jul 2009

Cheers, always try to go bright with em to show the venue and not just the clientele.