Winning the jackpot at a dark reception

[eslaydog]

If you had an unlimited budget, what would be your solution to shooting receptions in almost the complete darkness. I appreciate any input, but I'd lean towards the simplest setup as opposed to having x number of 580's on PocketWizards set around the room.

What do you use?
Thanks,
Eric

[Eoseni]

Video light held by a friend?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Tell them "TURN THE LIGHTS UP, WOULD YA?!?!"

Seriously, though. I use a flash/bracket at receptions, and therefore, the speedlite will aid AF, and obviously exposure. Keep a fast lens on for a bright viewfinder, and you should be set. If it's literally too dark to see just what you're shooting, then the dumb s***s should turn the dang lights up, for real.

[sblais]

Can I bring something like this (http://www.mccoy.army.mil/vtriad_online/11242000/images/searchlight_400_x.jpg)? :D

[howzitboy]

Can I bring something like this (http://www.mccoy.army.mil/vtriad_online/11242000/images/searchlight_400_x.jpg)? :D

sure, as long as u can mount it on your camera haha.

any amount of money? id go out and fill the room with 6' lightboxes and FLASH, weeeeeeeeeee Flash weeeeeeee haha the weee is the sound of the lights recycling haha.

[GertS]

Can I bring something like this (http://www.mccoy.army.mil/vtriad_online/11242000/images/searchlight_400_x.jpg)? :D

Sebastien, I see that you recovered quite good as you post quite a lot again. :)

But, keep in mind that the mentioned light will not fit in the standard power plug and you get some really harsh shadows.:lol:
Thanks for sharing the joke.

[Grace]

Love it Sebastien!

[tlc]

Can I bring something like this (http://www.mccoy.army.mil/vtriad_online/11242000/images/searchlight_400_x.jpg)? :D

:shock:

[Tmosley]

i would also like to know if anyone out there has a real soultion

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I don't see why a flash wouldn't do the trick. I mean obviously if it's too dark to AF with the camera/lens alone, you're going to be using flash. If you can somehow get a half decent exposure in darkness, just let the AF assist of the flash do the work, and turn off the actual flash. However, in those settings, a flash is a must. The AF assist will work its magic.

[smirchfa]

I'd do the same as I do now - ST-E2 or Pocketwizard on camera, flash in hand, second flash on stick held by an assistant who stays at about a 90 degree angle to my subject. Works great. Maybe I'd get a second assistant to let my first take more breaks.

[smirchfa]

Oh yeah, entire setup - I'd want another 5D, so I could use 2 at once and relegate the 20D to backup. I'd add the 135 2.0 to my other fast glass - 24 1.4, 50 1.4 and 85 1.8. This would be perfect, IMO.

I'd find it tough to spring for the 85 1.2, even with unlimited funds, due to the slow focusing speed. The 2x ST-E2's would aid focus, and with flash in hand and another on a stick, you can do away with the heavy, clunky bracket. All the fast primes will give a bright viewfinder, so you could use the custom screens for more MF accuracy in low light.

[eslaydog]

I don't see why a flash wouldn't do the trick. I mean obviously if it's too dark to AF with the camera/lens alone, you're going to be using flash. If you can somehow get a half decent exposure in darkness, just let the AF assist of the flash do the work, and turn off the actual flash. However, in those settings, a flash is a must. The AF assist will work its magic.

Thanks for your responses. It's not the AF that I'd like to improve, it's that I'd like to be able to have no motion blur and use ISO's at or below 800 for a PROPER exposure in extremely dimly lit situations (read: candlelight or Christmas lights). Yes, it can be done by blasting guests in the face, but without the higher ISO's the falloff makes shots look pretty lame.

For those of you that do use multiple 580's with PW's, how many do you use? Would 2, 3, 4?

Thanks,
Eric

[sblais]

But, keep in mind that the mentioned light will not fit in the standard power plug and you get some really harsh shadows.:lol:
Thanks for sharing the joke.

No need for electrical plugs: it's powered by a few AA batteries ;) You have a point about the shadows though! ;)

To the OP (sorry about the joke and the hijack that followed! :o):

I once had a videographer covering the reception with me. He installed quite a few video lights (3 or 4) close to walls and out of the way (so that people wouldn't trip over them). I used those to my advantage that evening and got some pretty interesting lighting when I chose the correct angles. You could do the same with Speedlights and PWs. But of course, it would ruin the present mood if everything is lit up with candles and Non-Deminational-Winter-Holiday lights. You could also use a flash and bounce it on a white shirt (find yourself a properly dressed assistant!).

Personally, I would probably set one or two Speelights with PW's on tripods and use those to light the scene.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Thanks for your responses. It's not the AF that I'd like to improve, it's that I'd like to be able to have no motion blur and use ISO's at or below 800 for a PROPER exposure in extremely dimly lit situations (read: candlelight or Christmas lights). Yes, it can be done by blasting guests in the face, but without the higher ISO's the falloff makes shots look pretty lame.

For those of you that do use multiple 580's with PW's, how many do you use? Would 2, 3, 4?

Thanks,
Eric

Don't "blast" the guests. The situation you propose can be remedied two good ways (at least two that I'll talk about). For one, you can bounce a flash up and forward, between 60 and 90 degrees. A flash bracket is obviously key, and I mean a camera rotating one, such as the QRS-35-EV which is what I use, made by Custom Brackets.

Personally, I'd put two flashes on the bracket. One for fill on a secondary arm of the bracket on the side, and the main to light the scene on the top of the bracket, bounced up. Stofen on the fill, -1 FEC, and right at the subjects. They won't mind.

[eslaydog]

Don't "blast" the guests. The situation you propose can be remedied two good ways (at least two that I'll talk about). For one, you can bounce a flash up and forward, between 60 and 90 degrees. A flash bracket is obviously key, and I mean a camera rotating one, such as the QRS-35-EV which is what I use, made by Custom Brackets.

Personally, I'd put two flashes on the bracket. One for fill on a secondary arm of the bracket on the side, and the main to light the scene on the top of the bracket, bounced up. Stofen on the fill, -1 FEC, and right at the subjects. They won't mind.

Ronald,

When you're outside, what exactly are you BOUNCING your flash off? The flip-up reflector? Wouldn't that lessen the output?

[Philco]

Money No Object: Usable ISO 3200 (passable 6400) W/a MK III and a 50 F1.2 L + 85 F1.2L would do the trick. That, and I'd hire an assistant to hold a deer light rigged w/ a snoot and some diffusion material. Just enough light to separate the subject from the background. I've used this technique at ISO 1600 at F1.4 at dark receptions and it works like a charm....dreamy backgrounds, beautiful subjects.

BTW, a "Flip-it" is all you need for your flash. It's high enough off the camera, it allows you to angle the bounce card so you can dial in cieling/wall bounce ratios that work and it diffuses the light just fine. Anything more just weighs me down, and it's only $30 anyway.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Ronald,

When you're outside, what exactly are you BOUNCING your flash off? The flip-up reflector? Wouldn't that lessen the output?

You didn't say it was outside. If it is, it's usually in a tent or what not. I've not yet been to any open air "out in the yard" receptions. I'd like to, though!

I'd use a lightsphere or still just the stofen straight on.

[eslaydog]

You didn't say it was outside. If it is, it's usually in a tent or what not. I've not yet been to any open air "out in the yard" receptions. I'd like to, though!

I'd use a lightsphere or still just the stofen straight on.

Sorry I didn't mention it was outside. It happens so often here in So Cal that I mistakenly assumed that it was pretty common. It's quite romantic - lights stung above the dancefloor, candles on the table, 72 degrees. But no light.

Thanks for the input,
Eric

[Ronald S. Jr.]

To be more specific, I'd use the lightsphere with the chrome dome pointed straight up, and camera in manual mode, f/4-5.6, 1/160 or so.

[eslaydog]

To be more specific, I'd use the lightsphere with the chrome dome pointed straight up, and camera in manual mode, f/4-5.6, 1/160 or so.

Thanks anyways Ronald.