10 Tips for Taking Portraits at Night w/ Off Camera Flash - Samples & BTS Photos - TTL

[@fjhphoto]

Check me out on instagram to see more of my work! - instagram.com/fjhphoto

[@mileshennisimagery3001]

What part of Texas are you in? Great tips BTW.

[@fjhphoto]

South Texas. 4 hours south of San Antonio. =)

[@edzcuizon3572]

did not expect TTL be the last tip. i will try later. my wife and i will have photoshoot later with friends at night. thank u for the vid!

[@Youtuberkt]

Most underrated KZbinrs in the photography category: "Nightscape Images"( Nightscape photography), "Mark Smith" (Wildlife and landscape), FJH Photography (Portrait & Flash photography). KZbin, you should highlight these amazing talents in your upcoming rewind video

[@jeffuryyy]

Great video Francisco! How about a video on the exact opposite situation... Shooting in the middle of the day, when the sun is most harsh. Maybe make 10 tips on where you like to place your subject, where you like to place your main light, etc.

[@fjhphoto]

That's a great idea, man! I think I'll make that next. Sun is beaming all the time here in Texas.

[@JohnKatiku]

Yes been looking forward to when you can do this.

[@noahbutler3844]

Agree, great idea

[@napoleong011]

Thanks for your sharing. I’ll use these tips for Christmas photo shoot coming.

[@noahbutler3844]

Loved the way you showed your lighting setups with labels at the end of the video. You rarely see photographers do this. Well executed and great video

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks, Noah! I have a whole album on my profile with labeled BTS photos. =) bit.ly/FJH-BTS-Album

[@zaidmuscle80]

I learned all of the portraits shoots from you , thanks You are awesome

[@easton_ography]

Dude your videos and your work are so inspiring to me as an up and coming strobist photographer. I love your style and your post processing. keep it up Francisco!

[@fjhphoto]

Awesome! Happy to help, man. Thanks for watching! =)

[@LegoAventuras1718]

The light at night can be nasty and a nightmare but brings out so many interesting shots. 😊😊😊

[@stuffs2108]

When I watched your video about 1.5 months ago. I only have one speedlight. Now I have 2 strobes and 2 speedlights. Love your TIPs.

[@fjhphoto]

Nice! More power to you. Literally! Haha. Always happy to help =)

[@JinXing]

I have 6D,135L, 580EX, 622Cs, can't wait to give it a try, thanks for the help, great tips!

[@JuanPerez-gr8ld]

Great tips! Thanks! Yes, a vid on temperature balancing flash with ambient light would be much appreciated. I find that when using speed lights, that the light from the speed lights is too "flashy" and doesn't mix well with the ambient color temperature.

[@fjhphoto]

Thank you! I hear you. I'll see what I can do =)

[@bluerainbug]

That tip about hair blending in the dark really hit me in the head!

[@UFGator1972]

Francisco, your suggestion are very good. On the other hand, I agree with some of the people here who have commented that you talk too fast. Slow down a little bit and doing so will improve your videos greatly.

[@melodicfish7833]

Great Video! thanks so much I'd be interested in a gel video!

[@fjhphoto]

No problem and thanks! I'll start prepping the gel video this week =)

[@melodicfish7833]

Hey thanks so much!! looking forward to seeing it. I've tried gels in the past haven't liked my results:( pumped for the video!!

[@DustyCR]

Thumbs up for Ryan! Nice video, thanks.

[@ultramanandrew]

Awesome video, like always! Many thanks for all your effort that you put into making these. A gel video and an AD200 and AD600 comparison would be hot.

[@OttoGarciaRey]

Great Job Francisco!! Keep It Up.... Awesome Content! Love The Behind The Scenes Shoots.... They Really Help With The Learning Curve....

[@fjhphoto]

You're welcome! Got one coming soon =D!

[@mirajurrahman310]

Thank You. This is so helpful!!!

[@christopherheer4834]

Very helpful video, thanks a lot! :) I have shot an event last weekend in bad light conditions and was struggling to get sharp, well lit photos.. next time I'll use these tips.

[@fjhphoto]

You're welcome and thanks for watching! I'll try and make more videos with tips for other times of the day =)

[@christopherheer4834]

great! Thank you, I really appreciate it :) i love your work. if you have time, please checkt out my insta gallery under 'christopherheer' 😀 cheers from switzerland, chris

[@paulbryla7387]

Thank you for this great video and thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I would love to see a video on how you position your lights in relation to the subject to get different effects and shadows - thanks!

[@SkyToddler]

back with the killer content! thanks man

[@fjhphoto]

Haha no problem! Thanks for watching =)

[@rastakilla718]

Great tips. I would like to see a video on gels.

[@ChillerKane]

Great video. I have always struggled with night portraits. We do a halloween haunted house and when I do the photos of the characters I miss a lot. Thank you for taking the time to offer tips. Much appreciated.

[@GilbertTV]

great video ..love the captions on your videos showing your set up for me shooting at night ,I Use a LED (rotolight neo) for key light from front & use a speedlight (OCF) behind subject for a bit of seperation & can give a great dramatic effect

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks! Yeah you have a great setup, man. I want to try a rotolight one day. Hear it's pretty nice. =)

[@GilbertTV]

i love rotolight...nice soft light , round catchlight & so much easier than using flash especially for night or studio work. not cheap to buy but a great investment the new rotolight Aeos does HSS flash too & zero recycling time..

[@NafisAhmed73]

i love your work..please make a bts video on working with gels..

[@thomasmuther7749]

Great tips! Thanks FJH!

[@user-yn8kj6pt6r]

Отличный формат видео. Интересные съемки, шикарные фото. Заинтересовало Оборудование.

[@luckyspin956]

Haha nice this video was well done man. since I'm too lazy to do this I will give you some cool tips and ideas for when I go down to the valley

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks, man! I kick my lazy butt to do these videos. It's harder than it looks, lol.

[@harshsjadhav]

Man your photos are so good......

[@catchlite5196]

Nice Sum-up. Gel video would be nice too

[@joalva63]

Nice tips, nice pics, nice video. Thanks!

[@fjhphoto]

You're welcome and thanks for watching!

[@sitisoedarsono5964]

Very helpful, thank you

[@EmSolid]

nice tutorial. . definitely do some samples with gels.

[@frankyvee1]

Pancho, dale gas a el video de los gels. Gracias Tocayo

[@skrzypczakfotografia4565]

My favorite yt channel ! cheers from Poland :)

[@fjhphoto]

Thank you! =D

[@eikonstuffs]

nicely done. Cheers!

[@JayRocker1000]

great job on the video, keep up the good work

[@manvanross]

Fun video! Thanks

[@Abxaxbc]

When I shoot night portraits, I use 2 indispensable tools: a flash and a tripod. I aim to show some of the background in the image. To do this, I don't use widest aperture. Instead I use slightly smaller aperture (e.g f3.5), and at this not very wide aperture in a low light condition it becomes mandatory to slow the shutter speed in order to let in more ambient light and to allow some of the background to be visible, e.g 1/10 of a s. Even at this slow shutter, I don't usually get blurry subject cuz I'm using a flash, and I don't get blurry bakgrnd cuz the cam is on a tripod. N.B. As long as I haven't forgotten my tripod at home, I always use native ISO!

[@antoniomainieri8345]

Hey, thanks for all the tips. Keep making these videos! :)

[@MrHookee]

Good stuff. Thanks

[@luislanz4436]

Muy buen video, gracias, tienes que venir a New York, Saludos...

[@solomonyap9085]

Great tips sir thank you so much

[@fjhphoto]

Thank you for watching!

[@LetsGoHelio]

Thumbs up for your nephew, oh and a thumbs up for the temperature gel video. =D

[@fjhphoto]

I'm gonna show Ryan this comment and I'm going to get started on the gel video sometime next week =)

[@carpediem6326]

thx for advice good video for me

[@Watercolordragon]

hahaha the commented photos are GOLD

[@zone5ive]

Use of gels sounds like a good idea for an upcoming video.

[@blacktop282]

Great video

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks!

[@joshashdown4431]

Thanks! That was a good tutorial.

[@patiszejuicebox]

Just a suggestion for a future shoot: OCF and light painting. ;)

[@cnj121807]

thank u master u know i been ask for this long time ago

[@fjhphoto]

You're welcome! More videos coming =D

[@kathyrobinson1975]

Great video! Thank you !!!

[@fjhphoto]

You're welcome and thanks for watching! =D

[@isaiahvargas19]

awesome great work!

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks, Isaiah!

[@lizmoralesphotographer]

:) Thank you for doing this, you are awesome!

[@fjhphoto]

No problem and thanks for watching! =)

[@wilbmoore]

Now this was awesome bro. Really concise info. Loved it.

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks, Wil! =D

[@riquardbeks]

Great Video!

[@Sxrojas]

I really want to see you do a gel video

[@focusandbloom]

Love your videos. Great content! :)

[@FOTOMONK06]

thanks a lot man

[@No2theBS]

Nice video such gorgeous models you lucky devil you.

[@fjhphoto]

Haha thanks, Rob!

[@christopherhand3941]

I would like a Gel video, i have know idea how to properly use them. Thanks

[@fjhphoto]

Learning as much as I can first before making the video =)

[@gregshawphotography8828]

Come to Houston for a weekend. Lots of photogs here that would love to learn from you.

[@fjhphoto]

I would love that! Just need to figure out when is best to head that way. I might be doing one next month there. =D

[@gregshawphotography8828]

FJH Photography Keep me posted. I'm in. BBQ and fajitas at my house too.

[@fjhphoto]

Haha will do! =)

[@akshaylakhaniphotography5783]

Thanks

[@fjhphoto]

No problem!

[@RedDirtAlleyPhotography]

You. Are. AWESOME! (that is all)

[@joelsonsantos774]

Muito bom,obrigado por compartilhar :)

[@suryanaas8528]

Thanks 🙏🙏🙏

[@TheKingdomForum]

Can you please do a video on the rotolight neo and using continuous lighting👌

[@aguseka8319]

Thank's you

[@pamanadam3162]

sir please make a video about coler gel on flash like tt600 for night photo

[@Ben-xw7su]

Great job man, one of the better tutorials on flash photography at night! I'm currently using an a6500 too with an 18-35 Sigma. A quick question, how would you have your speedlight angled if you're photographing an outdoor party at night with no ceilings or walls to bounce off? I've always heard it's not recommended to face it directly at a subject. With no other alternatives i'm thinking if flash caps and weakening the flash output to like 1/64. Not looking to purchase a transmitter to have off camera angled lighting just yet. Any advice appreciated, cheers!

[@Ganjin88]

I do find if I use a very wide aperture. A small shake in the camera can throw the focus off. I hate it when the eyes look blurry. I see you used a tripod.... probably something to do with the wide aperture???

[@Ishkabibble_xD]

Would you ever use the modeling light of the Xplor as opposed to a flashlight?

[@JohnKatiku]

Hey, i suggested your channel to a friend who is starting up and after going thru a couple of videos, he kinda mentioned that it seems your gear is all high end. Can you do some videos with entry level gear. like Crop camera and "Not So Wide Aperture lenses" to kinda show your composition and thought process for guys like us what can't afford such premium glass and gear. would kinda be nice. Thanks in Advance.

[@fjhphoto]

Definitely interested in making that. I do realize how much my gear costs. Definitely on it. =)

[@askg4563]

Great video dude new subscriber

[@fjhphoto]

Thank you! =D!

[@apinkpiggy1]

Can you please share what trigger/receivers you use that has the assist beams? I cannot find it in your links. Thanks!

[@christopherlemmer6178]

gels, gels, gels, gels!!!!

[@goboss]

Gels please! Thank you :)

[@joecerda630]

Thought Sony had Stabilization on the camera?

[@albiumcard8203]

do you have to ask pan am for permission every time?

[@davidhunter2824]

thanks for the awesome tips. Btw, which lenses do you recommend for nighttime portraits? I shoot with a old canon 5d Mark ii.

[@ashleygwen7]

Great video! What transmitter do you use with auto focus beams? I have a Canon camera.

[@ahmedsabri1978]

How Set Your Camera Colour Balance?please Make Video For Colour Balance

[@yeseniagonzale5568]

Great tips! what transmitter is the one you are using? do you know if its compatible with the canon 600ex-tx? would they work? thank you.

[@fjhphoto]

I use the Godox X1 system but it's rebranded by adorama as the R2 system. It will work with the Canon 600ex but you'd need a receiver for it.

[@dyordzangis]

Hello FJH...im a fan of yours...i just wanna ask what apperture is best for night portrait since i am using Sony a7ii + Sony 85mm 1.8...btw I'm a newbie...thanx in advance...

[@fjhphoto]

If it's the new 85 then you should be fine with f/1.8 as it is sharp and lets in the most light. If it's an older model I'd use maybe f/2.2 as it'd be sharper.

[@sancho316]

where do you learn poses from? do you use pinterest or some lessons. thanks

[@fjhphoto]

I have a few go to poses but most of the time I'll see how the model poses casually and adjust them for the camera. I do go to pinterest still. My friend Eli recommended following amazing photographers on instagram since you can now save photos in a collection for posing or lighting inspiration.

[@DrKitanoTakashi]

Hi Francisco! I've noticed you have used your Canon 6D for low light photos in this video. Does the 6D focus better in such conditions over the Sony A7? Thanks for sharing your wisdom mate. As always looking forward to more videos.

[@fjhphoto]

Hey Takashi, I rarely shoot at night and these photos were from before I fully switched to Sony. Both focus great but I focus better with my Sony system. I might do another night shoot soon and will show everyone how the Sony shots look on my profile and group. =)

[@DrKitanoTakashi]

Thanks for replying Francisco. I think that vid might be the final say on what I might get in future. Switching will be hard due to being slightly invested with Canon lens. I know one could use adaptors but I love and will miss the speed of AF with a body paired with its native lens. Oh well all in good time. Until then look after to seeing more of you work. Thanks for sharing mate :)

[@pgogoi1434]

is it possible to take 8 second speed for the model remain steady

[@vishweshwarkandalgaonkar3446]

Nice

[@robbquinnimaging4321]

Great video. Picking up so much from you guys! Okay Francisco, here is my question. In one example you are using a Buff 5 Ft Octa, the next a Fotodiox 5 Foot OCta and then another a glow parapop. What softbox would you recommend? Getting ready to purchase some lighting equipment and although the lights are easy, the boxes are not. Help if you have a second!

[@fjhphoto]

Hey Robb! I recommend either the Fotodiox EZ Pro octaboxes or the Glow ParaPop. The EZ Pro models are affordable and on Amazon. The ParaPop is a bit pricey but worth it. Very light and mobile plus sets up and down quickly. If you're getting strong lighting I'd get the 48" or 5ft octabox by Fotodiox. If you're getting speedlites then the ParaPop. Fotodiox EZ Pro octaboxes; 36" - amzn.to/2qZZfbZ 48" - amzn.to/2bMI8mq 60" - amzn.to/2bPCAIS ParaPop - bit.ly/GlowParaPop-38 If you use my links it helps me out so it'd be great if you could use them when ordering. =)

[@robbquinnimaging4321]

I will do just that sir. I am going with bigger lights as I have a XPlor and 2 Evolvs to put in those so I am going to go with the Fotodiox which is what I was looking at. Likely going to get a buff PLM too but that is a whole different subject. Thanks again for the videos you put out!

[@robbquinnimaging4321]

Also, if you could send me a link to use for the 56 inch strips I will be getting those as well! All I have to do is use those links to order? No special code? Thanks Francisco.

[@fjhphoto]

If you're ordering off amazon if you use one of my links then you'll be good. The whole order should get credited. Thanks so much for asking, Robb =)

[@duncanmeechan5694]

I would love to know what the colour gels are for an how to use them, from a very beginners point of view, details are most important things when teaching people these things. I dont think there is any point in taking things for granted, that other people probably dont know but you do so thye are just bypassed....please tell me all on the gels :) thanks

[@arjitbhargava5291]

Can I take night portrait with my Sony a6000. Without flash

[@vshnay]

What kind of assist beam did you use?

[@waipahutube]

I'm trying to do a portrait with a full moon at the beach. It's pretty dark with mostly the light coming from the moon. How would you take a photo like this? Do you set your exposure first to take th full moon and then add the flash on the model?

[@VictorMartinez-nv4up]

Would a strobe with TTL be low-power enogh for this? my speedlight is not TTL

[@CitadelPhotography]

Will the red focus assist grids work with the sony cameras? I heard a rumour that they only work with dslrs

[@bo3lir8]

great video !! how to get ride of the tungsten light if im shooting in tungsten indoor ? im using godox ad200 with phottix para softbox

[@fjhphoto]

One thing you can do is add a full, half, or quarter CTO gel. What you need to aim for is matching the color of your light and the light you're working in.

[@mplooy]

Great tips! Do you have a lighting breakdown for the last image at 6:00?

[@fjhphoto]

Thanks! Although I don't have the breakdown image of that shot I do have a BTS for it. Here you go; tinyimg.io/i/eUBVu8h.jpg

[@mplooy]

Works for me, thanks for providing.

[@fjhphoto]

No problem =)

[@kazimabdulhafeez7356]

Why are speedlights better than strobes at night and why do you say that you need little power at night? I can see that you first advised to bring the ambient up by opening up the aperture and ISO

[@fjhphoto]

Strobes are going to have too much power even at the lowest power. When you bring up the ambient light you're amplifying all the light that will be in the scene. So when you do this the speedlite, which is usually somewhat weak during the day, is more than enough power and even too strong. A strobe would be way too much power. I should have added this as a demonstration in the video.

[@jackyyao8231]

So tt350 is power enough to shot night portraits ?

[@joecerda630]

Ever use LED lighting for night shots?

[@bogdanpopescu8406]

Good idea. Modelling ligths work also very well (Godox V1, AD200, AD-B2 bracket)