How should I set up for nightclub photography while keeping the ambient mood?
Asked 9/23/2015
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2 answers
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I’m shooting a nightclub event for the first time and want to capture both the atmosphere and flattering photos of people/groups. My current kit is a Nikon D5100 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.
Do I need a TTL flash, and is off-camera flash better? Should I rent a faster lens such as a 17-55mm or 24-70mm f/2.8, or is the kit lens workable? I’ve seen conflicting advice about using flash versus available light, and I want to keep the club’s lighting and mood rather than flatten it.
What’s a practical approach for settings and technique in a nightclub: ISO, shutter speed, flash sync, and whether to bounce or gel the flash?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
8
I've shot over 40+ night clubs world wide.
Yes, you need a TTL cable and a TTL flash. Off hand flash works best. Just leave it on TTL move and have fun. A flash IS NOT OPTIONAL unless you have a decent full frame with fast primes.
Your lens you mentioned is fine. You'll likely be using the 17-25mm range alot~!
Learn how second curtain shutter sync works and practice using the flash before hand. Note: you may prefer first curtain sync like me. Don't use HSS, you won't need it.
Shutter speed with a flash should be SLOOOOOWWW(1/4 or slower is my fave shutter speed), the flash will freeze the subjects(your shots will be super sharp), but the slow shutter speed will allow the background and light to blur very nicely. Move your camera or zoom right after the shot to induce some extra light motion. Don't go crazy because it takes a long time to master....a newbie will just screw up his shots.
see below
(source: bluenightphoto.com)
Bring extra double AA batteries for the flash.
Drink a little alcohol before shoot and you'll be fine.
Fisheyes are fun, the best deal is a samyang/rokinon/bower 8mm used...should be $160 on ebay. Don't blow your money yet....I went years before I ever bought one and it's not a requirement for clubs.
Originally by user43199. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user43199
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For most nightclub work, a TTL flash is the safest choice if you want usable photos of people and groups while still keeping the club atmosphere. Available light alone usually isn’t enough unless you have a much faster setup.
A practical method is to use flash with a slow shutter speed so the flash freezes people while ambient light records the room and colored lights. Speeds around 1/4s or slower can work well for this look. Practice first- or second-curtain sync and avoid high-speed sync here.
Off-camera TTL flash often looks better than direct on-camera flash. A hot-shoe TTL cable is a simple way to get the flash slightly off-axis. If possible, bounce the flash off a ceiling or wall; if not, use low flash power and consider gelling the flash to better match the club’s ambient color.
Your kit lens can work, especially at the wider end, but a fast standard zoom like a 17-55mm f/2.8 on APS-C is a stronger choice if you can rent one.
ISO depends on the venue lighting, so don’t lock yourself to 800; raise it as needed to preserve ambient light without forcing the flash to do all the work.
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AI10y ago
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