Using flash at night

sarboo

sarboo

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Sarb
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Hello :)

I've been asked to take some pics of a friend - she wants to have them taken outdoors (in the city), at night.

I've done this before with someone else and just used e.g. the light from shop windows (or any other source that was around) - the effect wasn't bad (quite atmospheric) but I wonder if it would make life easier by using a flash gun? Or is it not worth it unless I have access to other equipment as well (reflectors and the like) - I don't want to carry around lots of kit.

I'm a complete beginner when it comes to flash :thinking:

Ta muchly :thumbs:
 
I'd go off camera flash, one light, 28"ish softbox then bring the ambient in to look gooooooood
 
a bounce brolly would work too if you're on a budget

what gear do you have to work from and what budget is there to add to it?
 
I don't have much at the mo...a Canon 40D, nifty-fifty lens, access to a 580ex flashgun....and that's your lot :) How much is a bounce brolly - is it easy to set up?

I guess what you're saying is that if I want to take half-decent shots at night, I'll need more than just a flash? :D
 
yeah basically

erm if the flash is yours I'd go into a setup which is 100-120ish with a stand, umbrella adaptor, umbrella and set of radio triggers as you'll use it a lot

want me to get you links to the stuff I like on the market atm?
 
If you can use an off-camera flash, you can get some really interesting results by under-exposing the background, and highlighting your subject with flash. Essentially, you control the power of the ambient light with your shutter (either underexposing, or obliterating completely), and the power of the flash with your aperture. If you can get access to a couple of flashes, you can highlight the subject, and part of the background...maybe with some coloured gels?
 
sarboo said:
Hello :)

I've been asked to take some pics of a friend - she wants to have them taken outdoors (in the city), at night.
I don't want to carry around lots of kit.
I'm a complete beginner when it comes to flash :thinking:

Ta muchly :thumbs:
Click to expand...

i think the forum drunk must have missed this bit ......
 
donutagain said:
i think the forum drunk must have missed this bit ......
Click to expand...

1 light on a stand with a single mod goes in one hand, camera in shoulder bag or the other hand

not what I call loads of kit, a simple setup I use on the fly all the time, don't out the stand down just carry it long
 
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