Night portraits

Playing with night portraits. Had to bump the ISO to get some background exposure, and that resulted in having trouble getting the flash power low enough. Any suggestions?

This shot was with a Orlit RT 610 in a 48 inch softbox.

KatManDEW wrote in post #18359023
Playing with night portraits. Had to bump the ISO to get some background exposure, and that resulted in having trouble getting the flash power low enough. Any suggestions?

This shot was with a Orlit RT 610 in a 48 inch softbox.

Hosted photo: posted by KatManDEW in
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How about a neutral density (ND) gell on the flash? Theatrical supplies are some good places to find them in big sheets:
http://www.mainstage.c​om/CatalogFiles/ColorM​edia.pdf

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18359040
How about a neutral density (ND) gell on the flash? Theatrical supplies are some good places to find them in big sheets:
http://www.mainstage.c​om/CatalogFiles/ColorM​edia.pdf

Thank you for the reply and the link. I wondered about using a gell.

Or use a slower shutter speed to get the ambient instead of high ISO. Then the flash can work within it's normal range.

gonzogolf wrote in post #18360122
Or use a slower shutter speed to get the ambient instead of high ISO. Then the flash can work within it's normal range.

I was worried about going lower with the shutter speed because it was windy and the wind was blowing her hair around.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18359040
How about a neutral density (ND) gell on the flash? Theatrical supplies are some good places to find them in big sheets:
http://www.mainstage.c​om/CatalogFiles/ColorM​edia.pdf

How do you hold the gels in front of the strobe?

KatManDEW wrote in post #18361986
How do you hold the gels in front of the strobe?

I use tape with a filter hood when the filters that came with it aren't enough. Or you could make a holder. Isn't photography supposed to be a creative endeavor? ; )

KatManDEW wrote in post #18361984
I was worried about going lower with the shutter speed because it was windy and the wind was blowing her hair around.

The main subject is lit by the flash, so for the most part, the length of the flash is what will determine whether motion blur is present in the photo.

Nice pic!

Flash freezes motion so the shutter speed is a non factor.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18362013
The main subject is lit by the flash, so for the most part, the length of the flash is what will determine whether motion blur is present in the photo.

Nice pic!

Thank you!

I wonder at what point the shutter speed would be low enough that motion blur from ambient light would become a factor?

KatManDEW wrote in post #18362794
Thank you!

I wonder at what point the shutter speed would be low enough that motion blur from ambient light would become a factor?

That is dependent on ambient light levels and the overall exposure settings. Well, plus the amount the subject is moving.

If ambient is high relative to flash, the movement effect is called ghosting

Flash times vary too ... manufacturers usually publish that info.

For the most part it is just super fast and not an issue.

KatManDEW wrote in post #18362794
Thank you!

I wonder at what point the shutter speed would be low enough that motion blur from ambient light would become a factor?

It depends. Was there ambient light falling on her such as from a street light? If there was, and it was strong enough, there may be some impact; but you never know, sometimes a little motion blur in the hair, or in the clothing if it was a flowing dress, with everything else looking frozen can be cool too.

Generally you only have to worry about ghosting (blur from motion) when the flash is less than 2 stops brighter than ambient. In the case of the shot above it really wouldn't matter because of the difference in ambient/flash ratio and the fact that there is little motion to combat.

trailblazer wrote in post #18363778
It depends. Was there ambient light falling on her such as from a street light? If there was, and it was strong enough, there may be some impact; but you never know, sometimes a little motion blur in the hair, or in the clothing if it was a flowing dress, with everything else looking frozen can be cool too.

Yes there was some ambient from the street light. Good thoughts about the little bit of motion blur. Thank you.

gonzogolf wrote in post #18364010
Generally you only have to worry about ghosting (blur from motion) when the flash is less than 2 stops brighter than ambient. In the case of the shot above it really wouldn't matter because of the difference in ambient/flash ratio and the fact that there is little motion to combat.

That sounds like a good rule of thumb. Thank you.