How can I recreate a warm, point-and-shoot film-style flash look with a Canon Rebel T6?

Asked 6/16/2019

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I use a Canon EOS Rebel T6 and want to emulate a look similar to flash photos with a warm/yellow tone, clear skies/clouds, and an overall point-and-shoot film-camera feel. The examples appear to be shot outdoors with flash, often with the subject lit strongly while the sky stays visible and well exposed.

What camera settings, white balance, flash setup, and shooting approach would help create this style? Is this mostly done in-camera with flash and exposure, or does it require off-camera lighting and editing?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

2 Answers

3

Can I take a short but cynical poke at these?...

They all look like they were done with a fairly close flash - though whether it's on camera or held up by the photographer I couldn't be certain, they seem to me to be predominantly high & camera right, so maybe he's left-handed & held it up at arm's length in his right hand - who knows?
Late edit... a second guess at this is - it's on camera, but the camera is turned to portrait, pushing the flash to the right... makes more sense as an 'easy shot on auto'.

I'm going to go with - it was done entirely on automatic, TTL metering, so the flash & background are both generally adequately lit, though there are annoying hot-spots on light-coloured clothing & some of the subject's faces.
That also, to me, explains how in pic 3 the TTL was badly fooled by how light the sky was against how dark inside the sports ground.

I think then once back in the computer, the Vibrance was dialled up to just below painful. Contrast is pushed as well. White balance is way over towards 'warm'.

I always like to check a photo in CameraRAW to give me a hint as to what may have been done to the exposure/white balance on a photo. It's not perfect, but for something that already feels over-pushed, then seeing what the 'Auto' setting tries to do to recover it can give big hints as to what was done already to 'spoil' it.

This is what it tried to do to one of them - it's not good, it's not meant to be good, it's just a hint as to how far off 'ideal' it is.
CameraRAW window shrunk down to small to get more info in the screenshot.

enter image description here

I honestly wouldn't consider it a 'look' to try to emulate.
The technique has been done a lot better.

You could learn a lot by reading the Strobist

Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user57929

7y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

This look is mostly about flash balance, white balance, and simple direct styling rather than a special “film camera” setting.

From the examples, the subject is lit strongly by flash while ambient light keeps the sky and clouds visible. To do that:

  • Set white balance for flash so the flash-lit subject stays neutral/warm.
  • Expose for the background/sky first, then add flash until the subject matches.
  • Use TTL/auto flash as a simple starting point.
  • The flash is likely close to the subject; in many shots it may be off-camera and slightly to one side, though some could be on-camera.

The warm/yellow tone can come from white balance choices and overall color treatment. The “point-and-shoot film” feel also comes from direct flash, visible hotspots, simple composition, and a casual snapshot aesthetic.

If shooting in bright daylight, a more powerful flash/strobe may be needed to compete with the sun, especially if you want dramatic subject lighting while holding detail in the sky.

So: use flash, set WB carefully, balance flash with ambient exposure, and place the flash close—optionally off to the side—for that snapshot/film-like look.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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