SFF "Show & Tell" Newbie Shots

[Red-I]

Hi. Sharing my first try shooting fashion show. Comments much appreciated. In particular must consult all the masters out there on lighting.... how do you avoid casting shadows when shooting such events? Not practical to use bounce card or diffuse cos don't think my flash can have the reach.... pointers to improve much appreciated. Cheers.

#1


#2


#3


#4

[sehsuan]

Simple. Don't use flash.

[nyxx88]

Use faster lens... up ISO...

[Red-I]

Thanks guys . Yes tried a few shots at higher ISO without flash; didn't like the results cos too much noise. But I guess noise can be overcome with software. Must practise somemore.... cheers.

[melvinmah]

Originally Posted by Red-I Thanks guys . Yes tried a few shots at higher ISO without flash; didn't like the results cos too much noise. But I guess noise can be overcome with software. Must practise somemore.... cheers.

i personally feel noise is ok..

anyway, just keen to know.. what camera & lens were u using? also, i think u might have gotten ur settings or flash sync wrong, every pic is soft..

[Red-I]

Originally Posted by melvinmah i personally feel noise is ok.. anyway, just keen to know.. what camera & lens were u using? also, i think u might have gotten ur settings or flash sync wrong, every pic is soft..

Thanks.... yes I think not very sharp too. Don't think it's flash sync problem; should be obvious if out of sync I would have thought. Maybe hands not steady (should have used tripod or monopod)... and not always focusing on the right spot. Much to learn...... on my equipment, using Sigma lens 55-200mm on my E500; actually a budget lens but I promised myself to improve myself to maximise the capabilities of this lens before I upgrade.

By the way, saw your post. Great shots.... may I ask what setting you used? From your experience, you do not usually use flash when shooting such events? Thanks.

Cheers

[vbs1979]

Originally Posted by Red-I Thanks.... yes I think not very sharp too. Don't think it's flash sync problem; should be obvious if out of sync I would have thought. Maybe hands not steady (should have used tripod or monopod)... and not always focusing on the right spot. Much to learn...... on my equipment, using Sigma lens 55-200mm on my E500; actually a budget lens but I promised myself to improve myself to maximise the capabilities of this lens before I upgrade. By the way, saw your post. Great shots.... may I ask what setting you used? From your experience, you do not usually use flash when shooting such events? Thanks. Cheers

actually u have quite a decent set. u need to play ard with the settings. u may want to use a monopod to reduce the handshakes. Practice makes perfect. Ask ard for advice. Keep shooting

[Red-I]

Originally Posted by vbs1979 actually u have quite a decent set. u need to play ard with the settings. u may want to use a monopod to reduce the handshakes. Practice makes perfect. Ask ard for advice. Keep shooting

Yes need more practice. Thanks, and I am asking around here for advice; and surely need more practice.

[melvinmah]

Originally Posted by Red-I By the way, saw your post. Great shots.... may I ask what setting you used? From your experience, you do not usually use flash when shooting such events? Thanks. Cheers

hey thanks for viewing mine but i wasn't too satisfied with my own shots either. The Show & Tell event was pretty tough, e lighting was really dim.

I'm using a D70s with a nikkor 80-200 F2.8 shot at aperture priority, which was set at 2.8 using ISO 1250 to 1600. I'm no pro though, dun have to follow my settings.

But given your lens do not have a constant large aperture, u juz have to pump up e ISO as high till u achieve ur desired exposure to match a fast shutter. Tri/monopod is entirely optional, I'm more of a handheld person. More mobility.

Just one advice from me, do not shoot at P mode for such events incase u were.

For flash, really depending on situation and ambient lighting given. I didn't use it for e Show & Tell for two reasons, I was sitting among the crowd (not so nice to use flash) and err.. my external flash was with my cousin hah. Else, I would've used flash. A diffuser will soften e shadow cast.

Try to be observant, look around for those pros during such events. You can always pick up a tip or two. That's what I always do.

Here are two of my collection for comparison.

Without flash
http://forums.clubsnap.com.sg/showthread.php?t=180398

With flash
http://forums.clubsnap.com.sg/showthread.php?t=184747

[nyxx88]

Originally Posted by melvinmah I'm using a D70s with a nikkor 80-200 F2.8 shot at aperture priority, which was set at 2.8 using ISO 1250 to 1600. I'm no pro though, dun have to follow my settings.

If you are shooting with a 80-200/2.8 (that is a great lens, btw), you shouldn't need to pump up your ISO so high. Should be sufficient to shoot at SFF, esp when the models are near the end of the runway.

And since you shoot at such a high ISO, at F2.8 aperture priority, what is the shutter speed you get?

Originally Posted by melvinmah Just one advice from me, do not shoot at P mode for such events incase u were.

Why not ah?

[KenChua]

Originally Posted by nyxx88 Use faster lens... up ISO...

Whats your shooting configuration??

[nyxx88]

I still stuck in newbie 'P' mode, with ISO 200, 70-300 G lens, with SB-800. Given the range that I zoom to, the aperture ranges between 4 to 5.

Comments?

[KenChua]

Originally Posted by nyxx88 I still stuck in newbie 'P' mode, with ISO 200, 70-300 G lens, with SB-800. Given the range that I zoom to, the aperture ranges between 4 to 5. Comments?

I usually set my D70 to 'A' mode. I have yet to test out my VR @ f2.8.... As for my SB-800, i set it to TTL mode and tilt the flash up to throw the shadow as far away as posible

Comments pls

[melvinmah]

yep it's a great piece of lens. The ambient lighting was too dim at e Show & Tell (not sure if it applies to all shows). If you dun mind, you make take a look at my pics at http://forums.clubsnap.com.sg/showthread.php?t=187288 . All shot at ISO 1250 and above.

shutter speed, varies between 1/400 to 1/800. I know it sounds overkill but that's my formula to capture moving objects w/o a hint of blur.

As for e P program mode, it kinda calculates what's e most ideal exposure (both speed and aperture). Therefore u lose e entire control over e depth of field that u wanna achieve. P mode tries to capture everything evenly which is very good for static objects such as landscape and building. And because of that, it might wanna capture e audience too, and in such low light conditions, P mode tells e cam to shoot at a lower shutter.

That's entirely just based on my own research and understanding, I sincerely hope someone can correct me if i'm wrong.

[melvinmah]

Originally Posted by KenChua I usually set my D70 to 'A' mode. I have yet to test out my VR @ f2.8.... As for my SB-800, i set it to TTL mode and tilt the flash up to throw the shadow as far away as posible Comments pls

Comments erm.. yea u have a good flash unit and e sweetest lens lol. One of my dream lenses, second to e 17-35 F2.8.

Okay for real, your method of pointing e flash head up might just defeat it's purpose if it doesn't have a low ceiling to bounce. That is of coz different if you're using a bounce card. But if you still find it too harsh, just adjust e compensation.

If you are using a diffuser, u may try pointing e flash direct 90 degree or tilted at 45 degree. Both works fine for me.

Oh btw, I personally feel SB800's built-in bounce card isn't sufficient (though it's really convenient). DIY or get something else.

[KenChua]

I will be using the diffuser ....

[Red-I]

Originally Posted by melvinmah hey thanks for viewing mine but i wasn't too satisfied with my own shots either. The Show & Tell event was pretty tough, e lighting was really dim. I'm using a D70s with a nikkor 80-200 F2.8 shot at aperture priority, which was set at 2.8 using ISO 1250 to 1600. I'm no pro though, dun have to follow my settings. But given your lens do not have a constant large aperture, u juz have to pump up e ISO as high till u achieve ur desired exposure to match a fast shutter. Tri/monopod is entirely optional, I'm more of a handheld person. More mobility. Just one advice from me, do not shoot at P mode for such events incase u were. For flash, really depending on situation and ambient lighting given. I didn't use it for e Show & Tell for two reasons, I was sitting among the crowd (not so nice to use flash) and err.. my external flash was with my cousin hah. Else, I would've used flash. A diffuser will soften e shadow cast. Try to be observant, look around for those pros during such events. You can always pick up a tip or two. That's what I always do. Here are two of my collection for comparison. Without flash http://forums.clubsnap.com.sg/showthread.php?t=180398 With flash http://forums.clubsnap.com.sg/showthread.php?t=184747

Thanks for sharing the tips! Many things to learn here. And you have great shots there.

I used Aperture Priority. I did experiment high ISO that day..... for my E500 up to 800 still ok, beyond that not too usable. Should have tried using the diffuser.... as I was tryiing to capture the models at the start of the runway so that I can shoot full length (I think must be more than 8M from where I was) the reach of my flash was already maxed out so didn't try the diffuser; maybe should have targeted middle of runway instead and used diffuser. Will practice that next time.

Wah your lens constant f stop 2.8! Cool..... but skill more important. Must master using my current lens first. Must avoid GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)

Cheers