How I use FLASH at Weddings.

[@lukewtcleland]

Here's the cheat sheet!: shorturl.at/FGHKU

[@riOdariot]

What's the name (and model) of video led light? I can search it elsewhere, so I can do comparisons.

[@Jack-oc5ty]

Your technique is fine but IMO your execution is horrible. Your first photo is close to 2 stops over exposed just look at the light. If you had adjusted the exposure solely for the light, which is the brightest part of the scene. Then used FEC to adjust for the final shot. I also don't understand why you'd use bounce flash, also need to set the ISO to 800.

[@SkyeHack]

@@Jack-oc5ty It seems like you have some strong opinions about the photographer's technique. However, balancing exposure, especially in dynamic wedding environments, is no easy task. While you mentioned the first photo might be overexposed, it's worth considering the challenges involved in capturing the perfect shot under varying conditions. Regarding Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC), it's a helpful technique, but it's also important to recognize that photographers often need to adapt on the fly. The use of bounce flash is a deliberate choice to create softer, more flattering light, which is a common practice to avoid the harsh shadows and unflattering highlights caused by direct flash. As for the ISO settings, suggesting an ISO of 800 could be useful in certain situations, but again, it depends on the specific lighting conditions of the venue and the desired aesthetic. Photographers have to make quick decisions to ensure the best possible outcome. Constructive criticism can be beneficial, but it's important to understand the context and challenges faced by the photographer. Your feedback is noted, but it’s also crucial to acknowledge the complexities of wedding photography and the skill required to manage them.

[@RumbaniNdhlovu]

Thank you for this. I tend to love my photos a little bright and ypur style fits what I've been doing.

[@peeweebarney]

@@Jack-oc5ty I agree with you. The last picture, the lamp is too bright for me. He used bounced flash, so it won't look like a direct flash; and ISO to 800 so to have it look like natural lighting?

[@MarkLargo]

The fact that you post your EXIF along with the photos shows how much you care when you educate! Thank you, you just earned a sub!

[@lukewtcleland]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@MarkLargo]

@@lukewtcleland what brand flash and batteries are you using? I'm planning to purchase the exact setup as yours!

[@pranayacreative]

Learned so much in 20mins that I hadn’t in 2 years

[@h3h3umm]

Wow... Most informative video on how to USE the SETTINGS with the flash. Other videos rarely go into this and usually get you to buy a diffuser, softbox, or some other type of GEAR. I have the same shooting style so this was really helpful for me. Finally got a flash after 5 years of photography lol

[@lukewtcleland]

So glad to hear!

[@kallihicksphotography]

This has been the MOST helpful flash video I've ever seen. MY WORD!!! Thank YOU

[@RachelelizabethAmes]

Carrying light is very important when you are out in the field. Less is more. So getting great images while having to worry about what light equipment to use is critical when you are short for time for weddings and you don't want to miss that moment. Also it is easier on your back especially when you go solo because the B/G are on a budget and don't want to hire a 2nd shooter. That is just crazy....lol but they do it.

[@quagmire321able]

Great stuff.... hope more "photographers" watch it and this reminded me when I was shooting at a wedding where the wedding photographers (2 of them) had *NO* flash between them even when the ceremony was outdoors and seriously backlit. Found it so funny when the "photographers" told the family they couldn't shoot formal family photos at their floral arch because its "too backlit".... LOL

[@elram2649]

😱😱😱 That's a nightmare scenario! 😳

[@vapor4]

That's crazy. Back light is the most beautiful to work with, everyone's dream

[@avgoustinos]

I agree 100% with everything and especially with using manual settings on flash is better and more correct, but as a wedding photographer, there are cases where your subject is moving all the time and its distance from the walls is changing (because a lot of times there is not a seiling), this is where TTL is the only way to keep the same style of shooting by keeping the same amount of light hittiing your subject :)

[@allenhendricks8892]

U know what This is a cool person with good explanations. No deep stuff Plain and simple 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@delangelstudio]

When the subject and the photographer are moving and distance from the camera to the subject is varying. The best is TTL plus Flash exposure compensation. Many photographers don´t like TTL because they don´t know how to use Flash exposure compensation. At weddings I only use Manual Flash during posing photos, when the subject is steady.

[@raegan_price]

What exposure compensation do you use? Just take a test photo and then change it from there?

[@ryanyong1235]

This is by far the easiest-to-understand video that I have watched! Thanks for this tutorial! You earned a sub 😄

[@bboyswoosh87]

I’ve been shooting for thirteen years and learned something new. Thank you for sharing.

[@lukewtcleland]

Wow! Thats great!!

[@alisongionet5321]

ok this helped so much! I shot a wedding last night and used some of your tips that I learned only an hour or so before I started and loved the results!! feeling much more confident with my flash now, thanks!

[@Sara-tp6zd]

Thank you for simplifying the aspect of gears, I was feeling guilty for using minimal gears

[@lukewtcleland]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AmandaWeldon]

LUKE YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE TEACHER! OH MY GOSH! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your overall wonderful self with us in these videos. Your editing is perfection and presentation over and above. I learned so much and can't wait to start applying these techniques!

[@omgitsmai]

thank you for sharing this video!! so helpful for an engagement party i have coming up :’)

[@trinijerson]

The effort that this guy puts in. It's mindboggling he only has 11k subscribers. Good stuff! Subscribing!

[@lukewtcleland]

thanks very much! glad you enjoyed it and for subscribing!

[@ShahanReviews]

This is one of the best videos on flash photography for beginners(like me!) - not just for wedding photography! Thank you!! It really cleared things up for me.

[@JET34568]

I’d love to see you actually set up the lights at the venue, reception, etc. I’ll check your site for other videos. Really enjoyed this one though. Thank you!

[@Ronanddigicams]

My reception photos are inspired by your photos, I’ve always been drawn to clean aesthetics. Hoping to see a full BTS wedding from you in the future.

[@isabelle7029]

Oh goodness I’m cringing so hard at my first few wedding I’ve done barely knowing anything about flash!😭 I’ve been so lucky that my clients are so kind and relaxed and have been happy but I’m ready to take it to the next level and this was so helpful!

[@ryaley1]

This is such a great video. Thanks for showing your settings and keeping them up for a reasonable length of time. Keep them coming!

[@lukewtcleland]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@teddoalex]

dude.. you are a champ! Understanding light is everything and you just broke it down so seamlessly.. thanks for this.. so many nuggets

[@lukewtcleland]

Awesome to hear - so glad it was helpful!

[@klinela]

This was very helpful. Thank you so much!

[@patrickccreation1115]

You could also set the zoom on the flash accurate with the lens you are using

[@arunashamal]

When you bounce flash, esp in portrait orientation for like candid shots etc, try bouncing flash off the floor instead of ceiling. Sometimes you get amazing results...

[@ainarszvejnieks5251]

Brilliant tutorial. So clear and concise. And even a cheat sheet added as a bonus!!

[@hongga-sze5075]

Excellent. Thanks

[@lukewtcleland]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@gregcorker2193]

Finally! Your video really made things much clearer about the relationship between ambient light, camera exposure settings, and flash light. I’d watch videos where they would set ambient exposure settings, set flash power, and take the shot. I’d go crazy trying to figure out the relationship between the chosen flash power and the ambient exposure settings. Hearing you explain that they are largely unrelated AND that we need to experiment a bit with flash power to figure out what gives the most natural ambient / flash light combination was revelatory. Thanks so much for explicitly explaining this.

[@vgreen51711]

This is probably the best how-to video I’ve seen about flash photography yet! I just photographed a wedding last night, and struggled 😩 Wish I would’ve seen this beforehand 😒

[@meganrourk6378]

shooting my first wedding solo this weekend, so glad i came across this video when I did! Saved me from my flash anxiety!! lol

[@qamstel]

The best and most comprehensive flash explanation I’ve ever watched on KZbin. Thank you! I’ve been struggling to grasp when and how to use flash at events and most of the time I don’t even take it out of my bag.

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! So glad I could help a bit!

[@aymanabdelilah4281]

I am a wedding photographer! I already use most of these tricks to obtain the photo that I see fit. but still, I LEARNED A LOT from this video. the way you explained everything is simple yet so effective!! heck i've been shooting weddings for 4 years now, but that cheat sheet is so handy I'm going to print it and slide it in my bag on next wedding! you never know when amnesia hits and get stressed over a simple setting. thanks a lot 💙

[@MaurySmith]

Like most of us, I watch a lot of instructional videos. This is probably the best video I have seen using flash at a wedding. You made it simple, yet versatile. Excellent explanations and analogies to carry your points home. You didn't really share any earth shaking insights, but it was so clear in comparison, approach and outcome. Thank you. 📸🌞

[@natalievalencia2033]

Actually this is the best video I'd ever seen about flash, people always said that you have to be a master using speedlight, but definitely I learned everything with this video, next week I have a weeding, of course I'll will keep this video in mind . Thank you 🙌🏼

[@ftinungki]

I’m so glad I came across this video!! Thank you for being direct and so practical!

[@jesseroussellmusic]

here I am always shooting flash @ 1/200 sec. and now I'm going to try this :) I like how natural your images look without seeming like these flash!

[@lukewtcleland]

thanks so much! Yeah even try flash lower at 1/20 or something!

[@_bearbell]

Loved the video. Super helpful and makes it much more approachable.

[@jjagogo]

This is the most beneficial video I’ve found in years. flash has always confused me and when I search how to use flash they all explain the practical way to set one up but they always say set your flash to TTL but mines is manual only, so thanks for your explanation on flash . I then clicked on your channel to check out your earliest videos and seen you came to Scotland, come back I owe you drink sir !

[@BlaineShillington]

Love this. I'm gearing back up for weddings this year after taking a few years off from the industry and watching your videos helps me get all my jitters out. your approach to flash is exactly mine as well. It is supplemental to ambient to add the pop or clean up that you need. The major benefit of that is you can use really low flash power levels and simpler units, and it will integrate better with a gallery of naturally lit photos! Thanks for the great content.

[@lukewtcleland]

Oh that's awesome, great to hear! Totally, it makes it less of a jarring transition to using flash. Thanks for watching and glad you like it!

[@BlaineShillington]

@@lukewtcleland Totally! Also if you have to do flash for family formals, if you have a big white wall or ceiling, it's so so so much easier to point a big monolight at the wall and light up the whole room than to try to set up umbrellas, modifiers, etc. Trust me on that. Especially if you have rows of people and need to light the back row.

[@bjornoswald3469]

Thanks for the video. Very nice and simple and clear. That's what I'm looking for haha. By the way: No flash at all --> totally agree, since I'm (still) too afraid to use it (especially weddings isn't the time to practice when there is a crucial moment haha... that's kind of what kept me from doing it most of the time... I played with it but not much yet). But the pictures I get without flash are very satisfying and to be honest the only way to actually capture the atmosphere the way it really was. At the dancefloor it is dark and moody and there are - oftentimes - colorful lights. With something like the A7RIII or A9II I can pull up the shadows so much without loosing image quality, it is amazing. Sometimes it looks a bit "too much" (like these HDR pictures from back then ;-) ). But most of the time if you tweek it here and there in post it is very pleasing. I guess that editing is just much less work with flash, because you don't have to adjust that many factors. Another factor would be those flickering LED lights, that a flash can just overpower. On the other hand - especially with the A9 series - it's not been a big problem for me.

[@LouisLuzuka]

This was surprisingly simple and easy to understand 😮thanks 😊

[@lukewtcleland]

Awesome! So glad it was helpful!

[@LeahGreen-u8y]

after searching for info, videos, tutorials and then finally coming across your video here it is safe to say I can finally make my flash purchases and feel prepared for my next big wedding day coming up! thank you so much for this extremely helpful and valuable video I really appreciate it!

[@lukewtcleland]

So great to hear!! Glad I could be helpful!

[@dunnymonster]

One of the best " real world " explanations of how to use ( or not use ) flash in a Wedding/Event situation. Brilliant advice backed up with beautiful photos. Subscribed 👍

[@maxie6990]

omg I just got a flash and this video is so helpful Thank youuuuuuu

[@jjfecik]

Wow!! I have a wedding to shoot this weekend & wasn't sure if I wanted to risk the worry with my flash or not! Perfect timing!! Thank you so much!!

[@lukewtcleland]

Glad I could help! Hope it goes welll!

[@oje101]

Sir. Thank you...... extremely helpful.. really helped me understand flash.. Thank you again.. super video. Thx for sharing

[@lukewtcleland]

You're welcome! So glad it was helpful in understanding it better.

[@inovartesmedialdainovartes2041]

Excellent video... Super informative and inspiring! Much respect ✊🏿 from Angola.

[@lukewtcleland]

Angola! How cool! Thanks for watching glad it was helpful!

[@robertoegonzalez4096]

Thania for sharing! This is one of the best videos explaining how to use a flash and balancing light!

[@spookyboots32]

Thank you, this was an amazing amount of info packed into less than 20 mins, so well presented. Much gratitude!

[@RumbaniNdhlovu]

Dude... thank you so much for this video and the flash tips. I do my best to get the natural light look... because I have nothing but natural light to use since I don't have a flash yet, and when the time comes, I'd have studied this video so much it'll be embedded in me to do this.

[@akeempatterson6722]

Good morning am so glad I came across this video like what you said in the beginning of the video I as well had my first wedding and struggle with my flash in doors at the reception better still got some good photos and almost give up on photography thank you from sharing oh and shout out from the Caribbean Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@javier.ignacioo]

This was really helpful! thanks!

[@joshdiditt]

You just earned a subscriber. Great video. You're a great teacher. Would love a BTS while you're using and mounting the flash at weddings/parties.

[@wavetrex]

Amazing video, gave me several ideas of using the gear I already have (not a lot) and get more artistic images on parties and receptions. I do go to weddings, but with video only... it's probably time to get some photo contracts too.

[@monicamiller9809]

just came across this while frantically searching for some help on this topic. wow, this was the most helpful & reasonable video on wedding flashes i've been able to find 😅. like, I am *immediately* subscribing to your channel.

[@pranayacreative]

Loved your tips on flash, also in future videos, could you mention the zoom in the photo examples too?

[@aimlezz8855]

Great video. Thanks!

[@madvigilia]

i just came across this video while looking for studio lighting set ups. Given i just made my first wedding photoshoot few weeks ago, i learned a lot on this video and want to apply it to my next shoot. I'm sure i'll be able to make it better with this. Thank you so much. I've check your ig too and your wedding photos are so god damn great. Thank you for sharing and please keep on making this type of tutorial or tips and tricks to become better at photography. I'm just a newbie but with good videos like this, i'm sure i'll be really good in no time!

[@bananaman-zd4lq]

I've been looking for exactly this kind of video! Thank you so much! I would love a video on dealing with mixed white balance situations and how to pick flash gels. Sometimes when trying to match the white balance of a scene I wind up just trying all kinds of gels because I have no idea which to use and none of them seem to be right.

[@lukewtcleland]

Oh I’m so glad!! Oooo I’ll put that on the list! I actually love using gels in mixed lighting because the results are pretty fun! It’s fun to fix bad lighting. Haha

[@grantsparkescarroll]

Great video which I had this 20 years ago!!! Great new learnings here for me as well. Thanks Luke!

[@jcpatts]

I feel like flash is always an area that I can improve, so thanks for this! Those detail shots are beautiful. I recently got the MagMod kit for this year's season and super excited about the color filters to match the ambient lights more so it's less obvious there's a bright blue flash compared to the ambient lights for things like speeches. Going to try more off camera flash for those moments too. 👍

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! Oh yes! I've been looking at something like that. I'd love a magnetic one that I can just pop those gels on. Right now I have tape haha So glad this was helpful!

[@aseelbrodd779]

Your work is stunning and you are so good at teaching. I need to watch this several times to learn it well.

[@marcschillinger3717]

Love your flash guide! The integration of the video light is nice. I also like the simplicity because i hate it to handle 4 flashes for a dancefloor setup like some wedding photogs do.

[@lukewtcleland]

Oh man ya 4 flashes on a dance floor would give me nightmares

[@Vincent.Morreale]

Very Very VERY good video on light and flash for events (weddings in this case). Looking forward to watch the rest of your channel mate.

[@lukewtcleland]

Awesome, thank you!

[@PaulSanchez-fr]

Luke : thank you ! I love your energy and the way you make things simple to understand.

[@adreaminfocus]

Oh I have a feeling your channel is going to be priceless for me. I just booked my first wedding.. eeek❤

[@allenhendricks8892]

I am so glad i came across this video ive just done few weddings and i needed to hear 😮😢

[@AsianGargamel]

This is so helpful. Hired to do a gig today and you are giving me last minute invaluable pro tips. Also I like your style, immediately subbed

[@iamrichlol]

Glad i found your channel! I've been feeling a bit bored and burned out shooting weddings, but your content is giving me lots of new things to practice!

[@petermooney8944]

how do you adjust your flash by distance? I’m having issues using flash on primes. As I move around, I feel like I have to adjust my flash each time because if I use the same power, I grt very different results. Would you have any tips on this?

[@elram2649]

Scenario... Let's say the scene requires your camera be set at 1/100sec, F/2.8, ISO800 for a proper ambient exposure. Let's say the human subject is three feet away from you and that your flash requires 1/128 power for a proper, natural exposure of your subject. Now, let's say your subject (or you) for a wider shot increase(s) the distance to six feet... What should you do? Well, simple: Since the distance is now twice that of the original distance, adjust your power "one stop" up (stronger/brighter) to 1/64 power - and so on, and so on. The Inverse Square Law is what describes how this works, if you want to dig deeper and fully understand the subject. 🤓

[@davidcoleman2868]

New follower here. A really informative video at last. Great cheat sheet.

[@peterkenyonjr]

Awesome vid. What kind of sorcery are you using to not only record your EVF but also have it simultaneously show up live on your iMac? Pretty cool. Also, I found iso does effect input of flash light on top of ambient light... if that makes sense.

[@vanessabolen7963]

This is fantastic. I would love to see more in depth examples in the future!

[@JihunJHan]

Great info! Thanks. I actually moved to Nikon from canon after I watched your channel. I loved it! Also if you could I want to see your film camera shots too!

[@galuem91]

Thank you so so much for such a valuable piece of information. The video I was looking for. I appreciate how you put your settings on the screen.

[@adriasc79]

Realy great simple flash class.

[@antramartinsone6273]

Thank you very much for this! I am starting to use the flash and you answered very many of my questions.

[@arkkaisen]

Hello, thank you for this video. I've watched so many wedding/event videos, but yours has been by far the best. I've shot one wedding as a photographer and one as a last minute (I was a guest but the hired photographer was a no-show) I fortunately carry around my Sony and a cheap flash everywhere. I've been to a few weddings as a guest and have noticed a lot of photographers use a lot of off camera flashes mounted on tripods bouncing off the ceiling. Normally three flashes at the banquet. I haven't used flashes except the last wedding I attended as the last minute photographer. I'm shooting a Quinceanera next weekend during low light hours 6pm-12am and the banquet hall doesn't have any windows. I've already scoped out the area. I have two AD200Pro's I plan on bringing, or would just an on camera flash be fine, or what would you recommend? My A7CR and A7IV are great in low-light.

[@baileytyson80]

Gosh, this is the most helpful video on flash photography l've ever watched! Thanks a million for sharing.

[@viciwo3396]

Great tutorial mam. I like the thought that goes into making the decisions whether to incorporate ambient light or kill it before adding flash. You're a great teacher.

[@lukewtcleland]

Thanks so much!! Glad I could be helpful

[@alexlford]

Superb video - thanks man

[@skatetoexplorevideos2477]

Those are really nice pictures! I learned so much too. Thanks.

[@si.sivish]

Wow thank you so much super clear and easy to follow plus the visual comparison.

[@CalCampos]

Aw Luke! Recently shot with you (I was video for the wedding we shot). So great to bump into you here!

[@lukewtcleland]

Hey Cal! Great to run into you here too! So fun! :)

[@pajrenable]

I just messed up an event as the so called “official photographer”. I’m using xt4 fujifilm as a hobbyist and my friend asked me to help him taking photos for his event. The lighting was so bad and i never had a flash. I’m learning something now and i feel like i can understand this! 😂

[@justlikeswimming5988]

A great video, good explanations! Do you consider color temperature of ambient vs flash light?

[@TiffanyRingwood]

Do you always angle flash head behind you to bounce of wall, no matter how tall ceilings are or how far behind you wall is? Wall has to be decently close, no? Excellent video thank you

[@mackymann2096]

Really appreciate your time making this video. Very useful and educational.

[@hafizhfizh]

I have watched all of your videos and got soma many insights that are easy to understand. Thank you so much!

[@SevenSpringsStudios]

Brilliant video great use of flash in a subtle way :))

[@nullahnung8934]

I LOVE THIS!!!! THANK YOU :)

[@sonny01red]

I have the same flash and x2t

[@tomarmstrong9367]

Great video Luke! I love how clear and informative you speak. Picked up a Godox v1 to play with this year and get better at receptions/low light wedding venues and this video gave me some great tips!

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! So glad it was helpful, hope it makes it a littler easier this year for you!

[@mmariattheresa]

Currently learning flash photography. Such an awesome and helpful video! Thank you for sharing!

[@lukewtcleland]

Great to hear! Glad you liked it!

[@WavyFBaby]

I have the same flash as you and have a Canon R5. Sometimes I’m trying to make my lens focus and I tap a spot on the screen but when I tap it, it causes the flash to go off and takes a picture. But if I were to remove the flash from my camera and tap the screen, it doesn’t do that. Also, which lens is best for wedding photography? Thank you.

[@CliffordAllison]

This was very informative ! If you want can you do a video on white balance in regards to indoor wedding and lighting?

[@lukewtcleland]

Great suggestion!

[@Nerdytimhieu]

So beautiful, thank you for sharing all this value content to us, thank you so much hope you do a lot of flash video like this

[@ScorpionEly85]

Thank you so much for this video, it inspired me and lead to so many creative ideas.❤

[@hungpham-jt5lx]

11:27 In this case, you leave the flash mounted on the tripod, and the camera attaches the trigger ? Thank you, you just earned a sub!