Dance floor flash photography - shutter drag at weddings

[@SamDocker]

I hope this helps anyone looking to create better images on the dancefloor, any questions, just drop them below and I'll do my best to help out..... ✌

[@sherryhelal943]

Is there an editing app that have similar effect on iPhone

[@JosePrinceVarghese]

Thank you very much man for this video. It was really helpful. Thanks😊

[@nadeemraza4444]

Love it❤

[@thearabicdp]

If you're finding you can't focus in the dark, some speed lights come with a front facing led light, switch that on.

[@baz8084]

Sam, you're a legend! I'll try this out on my wife and dog tonight before giving it a go on Saturday! 😂🤜🤛

[@JoseGomesPhoto]

Even though it's a very specific situation during a wedding, the way you break it down in the video is just perfect! I had that struggle on my last wedding where I had close to 500 shots of the dance floor trying to do this and only had about 25 or 30 usable photos...not good, just usable. Thank you for this video!

[@SamDocker]

Thanks so much for the comment and kind words José, really appreciate that!

[@yaronharel8463]

Thank you. The most efficient clip I have seen so far about this subject.

[@vivianwong5503]

I really like the way you explain the process of shutter drag so that it is easy to understand. Thank you!

[@RakNtaK]

this is a gem, thx!

[@thechunkydrummer]

Working in nightclubs prepaired me for shutter drag... Brings so much life to the shots!

[@einzelstein5291]

Love, love, love this video, thank you

[@wzgorzasokolskie5906]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@tasosanastasi8000]

Simple, to the point and fully understood. Thank you mate

[@northwoodweddings]

Really good job on this one Sam! Just bought the 24mm, think it wil work great. Even after 150 weddings with the standard ‘off-flash-trigger-shots’ there is plenty to learn en try some new. Will try this out at the wedding tomorrow 🙏

[@lednewstudio]

Very instructive! Thank you Sam!

[@jackmakin7894]

Awesome video thanks mate! I already knew how to do shutter drag but more a case of winging it and trying out settings until it works and not really taking in what I've done to get them so this was super helpful. The best pieces of advice for me were the saving the settings & shooting above your head so the trails don't come across the person. Love it thanks so much for putting this out there it'll help a lot of people who struggle with this, I will definitely be sharing it with others

[@SamDocker]

Cheers pal, glad to hear it's of use and you appreciate it!!

[@danielsmythni]

Really like this video. I always do this at weddings and usually get lucky enough with the settings, but I've never known EXACTLY where to start, it's a lot of trial and error to begin with. I'm shooting a wedding tomorrow, so I'm excited to try these settings.

[@giolee1274]

This a treasure trove of information. THANK YOU!!!

[@DerekComer]

Did this New Year’s Eve with my Fuji x100v and when it works, the pictures look amazing. Thanks 👍👍👍

[@aminahodzic4782]

So helpful! Can't wait to try this tomorrow 😄 Thank you!

[@ckessler4308]

the tip to raise the camera and shoot down was huge for me! thank you.

[@bradgommonphotography2892]

Great video Sam! I agree front curtain is definitely the way to go 👍

[@SamDocker]

Absolutely Brad, thanks mate!

[@colettem7254]

most comprehensive and helpful video I've seen on this technique! thank you

[@SamDocker]

Thank so much!!

[@Darkest_til_Dawn]

Thank you 🙏

[@agreatalternative]

Great video Sam thank you, can't wait to now get started as I've only just received my V1!

[@geraldbellacaza]

Perfect informations. Great value, thanks

[@srfokusstephanrohrbach9372]

Didn't know this technic😄 Thanks for your tips🤗

[@rikukyla7489]

This was good. Thank you!

[@YogaLifeEtc]

Great information and very well explained. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@felixbird]

Thank you so much for posting this with such detail!!

[@SamDocker]

Absolute pleasure, glad it helped!

[@spbmusiic]

Banger video man! Always love doing these, they add so much fun to the dancefloor shots. I actually had no idea I could set the settings to C! xD This is an absolute game changer, thanks again!

[@SamDocker]

Hahaha, yeah nice and easy trick, I always forget what they are, so C1 for the win!!!!

[@PWatsonable]

Fantastic video - thank you

[@markwalkerphotography]

As usual, smashed it out the Park Sam - and thanks for the tip about holding it up nice and high 🙂

[@SamDocker]

Thanks Mark, glad it's helped pal!!

[@katiegodfreyyy]

This is the most comprehensive and useful video I’ve seen! I’ve watched a million 😂Subscribed!

[@judephotography]

From all them years ago Sam, at your workshop in London, this was (at the time) the subject I really wanted to pick your mind. Like you said yourself, it was the part of day that made me so nervous. Cheers mate for constantly helping me grow 4 years later!

[@SamDocker]

Mate, it’s been an absolute pleasure to see you and your business grow over the years, you’ve put the work in, and it shows!!

[@CJR-89]

Mate, that was banging! One of the best tutorials I’ve watched on KZbin. Have my subscribe! 🤙🏼 And thanks for helping out massively with this 👌🏼

[@SamDocker]

Thanks mate!!

[@Laughing_Dog_Films]

Thank you so much for this tutorial.

[@SamDocker]

My pleasure, hope it helps!!

[@RyanMerch]

You've just earned a new subscriber. Thank you

[@mrpaulbag9223]

Great Vid Sam! Love a bit of shutter drag on the dance floor! 💪

[@SamDocker]

Thanks Paul!

[@o.aldenproductions.9858]

Glad to be a new subbie ❤

[@alex.muntean]

Such a helpful video. 👏🏻

[@macaronafterparty]

Great tutorial. Much appreciated.

[@SamDocker]

Cheers pal!

[@remco2777]

I'm not a wedding photographer, but your video is great for new creative shooting ideas!

[@laynetravis]

Nice Idea, thanks and keep up

[@jamesgarcia1680]

Great information, thank you!

[@SamDocker]

Absolute pleasure!

[@eduardofierro]

thanks

Thanks for this. I tested it out last nigt in a wedding and it was awsome. My clients loved them. And I think for first time try it wassent to bad 🙂

[@SamDocker]

Amazing, thanks Paul!!

[@itwasme2435]

Thanks sir

[@GarethDanks]

Great vid. Enjoyed that. Glad you mentioned the zine focus. Why people try and focus at f8 I don’t know. 👍🏻😁

[@Daddelgame]

That’s what I’ve done 12 years ago when I was photographing in nightlife. The inspiration came from Ambrel who had done that in NY back then… You don’t need to keep that flash on the camera. I like it actually more when it’s off camera. If someone wants to practice: hit the club.

[@milosgajic23]

Nice.

[@livinginweymouth]

Great video, just subbed and liked. I was at a gig last night, got some good shots, but was only taking pics of the band on stage. Now I feel a lot more confident about taking pics of people in the crowd too.

[@SamDocker]

Love this, thanks mate!!

[@IZzPanka]

Está bien . Lo de la cortina trasera yo también vi que mejor no cambiar

[@eclictic3287]

Hi Sam, As the others said, thank you for this very helpfull video. Of course I liked and subscribed mate ! Keep rocking (please) !

[@SamDocker]

Awesome, thank you!

[@aminaadam7862]

Man you the best

[@SamDocker]

Hahaha, not sure about that!! Thanks Amina!!

[@tintin69rr]

Nice one 👍

[@kennguyen222]

*good job*

[@Tazyz]

Great video

[@SamDocker]

Thanks!!

[@photo2000]

glad you mentioned it has to be dark ambient... this is critical. Any ambient light in the shot and the subject it just going to come out blurry

[@shirab868]

I love your step by step style covering this technique. Thank you so much. One question: How can you be sure your autofocus is getting the focus desired when the camera is above your head and you're not looking at the viewfinder or LCD panel? Or are you sort of just having faith that the camera's going to get something in the right vicinity? I understand putting on manual focus with F10, but autofocus puzzles me when you're not confirming the camera is hitting the right subject.

[@RetoBuri]

great explanations, thank you!! is f8 a must or does it also work wide open f1.4 for example?

[@MattKasino]

Amazing explanation !! Gonna practice this week at a ferstival! But There is something I didn't get it correctly I think. Should we set up the sync flash in rear or front mode ?

[@SamDocker]

Always on front, you want the flash to fire first, that way you capture the moment first, rather than having to wait for the rear!

[@samuelwebster2769]

Is it done in a similar way to panning shot? Love the effect? I'm booked to do a new years eve party.. So my clients will appreciate these kids of images..

[@abdelkaderyousfi397]

Thanks for that vidéo 😍 I lové your jacket where did you get it 😉

[@einzelstein5291]

Have you ever tried the modeling light on the V1 instead of a light panel?

[@photographer8486]

I am beginner in photography. I bought a used Sony A7s2. New 24-70 2.8 lens. How much power flash would be enough to shoot outdoors? I would want to take this flash with me easily and during travelling. Should I go for on camera flash or off camera flash This would be 1st flash that I would buy. What are your suggestions for flash? Also suggest soft box and tripod (either camera or flash would be tripod as I can hold only 1 thing) for travelling.

[@Rickyswoop]

Thanks so much ya legend! I'm a new wedding photog in New Zealand and this helps a lot! I gave you a follow on insta too.

[@SamDocker]

Cheers mate, really appreciate that!!

[@PearceWeddingPhotography]

Nice jacket

[@SamDocker]

I like you James!! ✌🏻

[@adrianlammers1229]

What do you do when you’re in this situation, however there’s some ambient light on the dance floor?

[@salazar_music513]

That flashgun at full power in your face! 😂

[@BrianMorrisPhoto]

The NEYE technique

[@isabellethomas2108]

Subscribed👍 what is your white balance on the camera please?

[@SamDocker]

I always shoot AWB!!

[@pengdu7751]

i should start to call it frame instead of image. sounds a lot fancier.

[@wildpatagoniafilms16]

Good post! Question: so.. 🤔 do we have to move the camera...? I don't think that was stated in the lists of main points... Ok thanks! cheers!

[@SamDocker]

Yes, take shot, flash fires at start of frame, move/wiggle camera, and if the lights are static, they'll be blurry!!

[@TheJadedFilmMaker]

would it be better to set your focus to like 2 metres. manual. but like f9 or something on 24mm so you get everything?

[@SamDocker]

You absolutely can do this, it's a great option!

[@earlregilo6978]

where can i download the intro song.. "Casual" Thanks.

[@pmjon8420]

Hi Sam. Do you use Electronic front curtain or mechanical when doing this on the Canon Rr/R6?

[@SamDocker]

Just mechanical mate!

[@jessicabrucken2293]

Should I take my magmod off for this?

[@SamDocker]

Is it a bounce/diffuser? You want the light to be directed, so unless it's a grid add on that stops light spill, then yes, I'd take it off.

[@user-oz6tn1fk1p]

Hi Sam, I am currently using canon r6 just experiment and I noticed when I open the pictures in lightroom I can see a lot of iso spots. The higher iso I have ever used is 3200. Is the settings that does that and ruin my pictures?

[@SamDocker]

All I can say is that I will regularly shoot at 6400 with no problems, sometimes 12800 if there's candle light. You're always going to get some noise, but it's far more useable than any cameras that have gone before!

[@dinkobilic9078]

Would you put a softbox on your flash, or keep it naked as it is?

[@SamDocker]

Naked for this one, you want to concentrate the light to the subject, and a softbox diffuses it and spreads the light, which goes against what you're trying to create.

[@jamesgarcia1680]

Does it matter if IBIS or Image Stabilization is on or off? Thank you.

[@SamDocker]

Nope, shouldn't make any difference.

[@jamesgarcia1680]

@@SamDocker Thanks Sam!

[@wwfera00]

my question is how do you get the person in frame when you're waving the camera around all over the place?

[@SamDocker]

You aim the camera in the direction of the subject, stand close but on a wide lens, and then when you fire the shutter, then you move it slightly!! It works!!!

[@daniellivings6638]

Mate! Just come across your channel and f'king brilliant! Several legit lol's out of me. Get over all the cringe US content on yt, yours is 🔥

[@hunterjohnson4591]

You mean “light painting”

[@KrzysPalacz]

V1 is worst made flashlight i ever used, it has weakest plastic on hotshoe, twisted 3 hotshoes in 1 year

[@91krarup]

maybe you need to take better care of your equipment 😉

[@mascendwellnessportal399]

Skip to 3:30 you’re welcome.

[@MikeAnthonyPhotography]

i know this is taking off more now but i think it looks so bad ....to have nice photos for ur wedding and then you see a few of these and it looks like the photography was drunk ....mybe for music events but not for regular events or weddings ....keep it clean and nice looking