Flash in Concerts

Yes i have been in photography for a number of years now so i dool feel a fool and ashamed saying this, but i am a flash novice completely. I've always been opposed.

However i had a nifty getting dusty in my bag, and £40 to blow, so i just traded/bought a sigma ef 500 super dg flash gun for those gigs when there really is no alternative other than to use a flash. Rather than walk away and lose customers (this is mainly local gigs, ones at the big venues i shoot wouldnt allow it anyway)

So, as i'm begining to get to grips with a flash gun, any of you got any suggestions about flash usage at gig, what are good settings to use for Fill Flash, or should i just stick it on e-ttl mode?

x

Sorry, no advice from me. I never use it....not matter the venue.

I can't say I would pass up a well paying offer if I had to use it but it my setting would be no different then any other indoor shoot using flash.

I mainly bought it for use as an off camera optical slave for band promos, but i figured if the situation arrived where it would be advantageous to use a flash during gigs, it may help to know how to

Even Rene has been known to use flash, Ryan, so don't stress over it ... you are the general in the field and if you decide that flash is what you need then go for it! Hell, I'm gonna use flash tonight using the flash modifier that I bought on, wait for it ........... Taygull's advise!

Just switch to manual, set a reasonable shutter speed, open up your lens, and fire away.

That will allow as much natural light in as reasonably possible.

Bounce it where possible and all that (i am sure you know what you are doing), and don't sweat it.

I have taken images in near dark on flash and have been really happy.
If you are unhappy with the colours, try and back the flash off a little.
Converting to B&W will do away with that little issue too

Rob

Cheers for the tips guys, so is E-TTL the way to go as far as the flash settings are? Or should i be learning how to use the manual mode on the flash?

x

DwightMcCann wrote in post #3388736
Hell, I'm gonna use flash tonight using the flash modifier that I bought on, wait for it ........... Taygull's advise!

Excuse the ignorance, but what is a flash modifier? And i hope that goes well for you.

x

tipsy wrote in post #3388790
Excuse the ignorance, but what is a flash modifier? And i hope that goes well for you.

x

In this case, a diffuser that goes on the end of the flash to soften/broaden it.

It always goes well for me ... that's why I like it!

Ah right, swish. Going to buy an omni-bounce as soon as i get some money. What with being a student and all- i have none.

And i still have to buy a macbook before september. Would get one when i come over to america in a months time cause macs are about £150/$300 cheaper over there, but then i'd have to avoid british customs and imports. For some reason i doubt they'd believe i already had it before america if i was travelling with the box and all the american purchase documents.

For now the little pop up flash diffuser thingy built into it with have to suffice.

x

What if you gelled the flash to mimic a stage light?

johnms88 wrote in post #3390056
What if you gelled the flash to mimic a stage light?

That's actually quite an interesting idea.

Anyone ever tried that before?

x

tipsy wrote in post #3390693
That's actually quite an interesting idea.

Anyone ever tried that before?

x

Actually, I could say that I have. Well, not exactly me, but I'm currently doing an internship at some pretty famous (german) photographer who is employed by the area's theatres. What differs from his shots though, is that he can shoot at the performer's rehearsal, so he's the only one there (except the performers and I) and can freely move around to shoot.

Anyway, he has, additionally to the stage lighting, always up to 3 flashes set up and gelled for additional lighting. Then he uses pocketwizards to fire them.

Well Tipsy, I can't help much either.

Last night I went to my local club house and got some photos at ISO 3200... It was a low light affair and I managed to get a few pics without flash... I used a photoshop Adjustments feature; shadow/highlight... To my amazement, the images came out like it was natural daylight... So it gives me another reason to wait before I invest in a flash...

matt1987 wrote in post #3390912
Actually, I could say that I have. Well, not exactly me, but I'm currently doing an internship at some pretty famous (german) photographer who is employed by the area's theatres. What differs from his shots though, is that he can shoot at the performer's rehearsal, so he's the only one there (except the performers and I) and can freely move around to shoot.

Anyway, he has, additionally to the stage lighting, always up to 3 flashes set up and gelled for additional lighting. Then he uses pocketwizards to fire them.

Very interesting... Just curious... Any preference in Gel Colors that are being used?

Id say go to a non paid gig, and play around with it.

I have just ordered a Stofen Diffuser as well.
Cheers