HSS Flash vs ND Filter | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

Long before we had high-speed sync (HSS) flash there were neutral density (ND) filters which achieved the same results but in a very different way. If your goal is to shoot shallow depth of field portraits on location during the day, then photographer Gavin Hoey has all the information you need to choose which technique will work best for you.
Gavin takes the same set of photos at the same location, twice. First-off he shoots with a 3 stop ND filter (and a 5 stop ND filter) to control the ambient light and keep it within in the flash sync speed limit of his Olympus camera. Then Gavin repeats the shoot using HSS flash and fast shutter speed. After the shoot, Gavin compares both sets of images and reviews his experience shooting old school ND against working with high tech HSS.
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Flashpoint Xplor400 Pro
www.adorama.com/fplfx400ptb.html
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html
Glow ParaPop 38"
www.adorama.com/glsbsm38pp.html
Gobe ND8 - 3 Stop ND Filter
www.adorama.com/gbg72nd82p.html
Gobe ND32 - 5 Stop ND Filter
www.adorama.com/gbnd32g2p72.html
Olympus E-M1 Mark iii
www.adorama.com/iomem1m3.html
Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
www.adorama.com/iom4512.html
#hss #ndfilter #adorama
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0:00 Intro
1:11 Exposure Settings for ND filter
3:50 ND Filter - Shoot No.2
5:23 Exposure Settings for HSS flash
7:53 HSS flash - Shoot No.2
9:19 Edit and review
10:07 Outro and Subscribe
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Model Jade Lyon
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@minimcune]

Gavin Hoey must be protected at all costs. What a helpful gem of a human.

[@michaelfranzyshen8241]

This video inspired me to take up wood-chopping. Seriously, great video on HSS!

[@erroljs1]

4:55 That's not luck, it's experience 😊

[@GavinHoey]

Probably a bit of both Errol 😉

[@dunnymonster]

Always a joy to watch Gavin at work. 😊👍

[@gentlegnt]

Love your work and teachings, as always, Gavin. Thank you so much!!

[@mannydelossantosproduction1306]

Perfect timing. Just used a variable ND filter for the first time to take sunset portraits at a sunflower field using off camera flash. Was pleasantly surprised 🙏

[@jimpack9622]

You have any trouble with the VND? I have one and have to be careful as it can create x type shadows at certain angles

[@monsterwerksvideo]

Thank you! Now I have a much better understanding of HSS and I look forward to practicing it. Love your videos - fun and educational! Most importantly, to the point.

[@bebitonenita65]

Gavin, great to see you outdoors...

[@riflegurlsmom]

Thank you, Gavin for another great video. You make things easy to understand.

[@geraldinebryce594]

Just love your tutorials. Always easy to follow. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you 🙏

[@richardmendoza4389]

I never even knew about using an ND filter with flash until recently, so this was quite an informatiive video. I've been practicing more with HSS, & find it quite versatile. With that said, there's always other uses for the ND, so I think I'll pick one up in the near future & play around with it, too. Thanks!

[@alan.macrae]

Timely video for me and, as always, great educational content. Thank you Adorama and Gavin!

[@ayugboblessing]

This has to be the simplest and the most explanatory video on HSS vs ND FILTER. thank you, Gavin Hoey and Adorama.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words. Simple is by default setting 😉

[@darrinyo-mamakimble7002]

That was very informative never would’ve thought of dealing with light like that. Awesome thank you so much.

[@kevinmichener1914]

Well Sir, yet again you have opened another door for me. Thank you!

[@KatieF307]

While there is some issue with needing increased power with HSS, given the capabilities of the XPlor 400, there is ample power to accomplish the task. One of the things I really admire about Gavin's work is that he provides a humble low cost solution without showing Profoto flash units, 75 different Profoto branded modifiers, and the latest and greatest Sekonic light meter. I have been watching Gavin's videos for the past 8 years and I keep learning more and more with every time I go back and watch something again. I think the take home message with the TCM feature is that once you dial in the necessary power level, you can lock in the settings rather than relying on any variations as a result of HSS. In an auto mode, HSS can vary between shots and the end-result can be uneven. The ND filters are fascinating to me as it basically becomes a scrim on the lens. There is a need for increased flash power there too to a degree. One thing that really helps the situation with ND filters is that both the Sekonic 478 and 858 have a built in compensation for ND filters. On the other hand, I liked Gavin's explanation of using the meter and adjusting for 5 stops to compensate for the ND filter.

[@kingsamvisuals]

That bokeh is stunning. Such lovely rendering

[@mywildlifestories3793]

Lovely Gavin. Always admire your work.

[@Tht1Guy]

I’m glad to see more people talking about ND filters. One of my favorite ways to shoot is full sun using my ND 16 (4 stop) filter and 38 or 45 degree hard light reflectors.

[@kaydawgy1999]

Do you use any flash?

[@jasonchuc]

Mr. Gavin Hoey, you did it again! Another great tutorial video.

[@iainblacklockphotography]

I really must remember the TCM option on the trigger. Quite handy for initial tests. Great video as always Gavin

[@GavinHoey]

It really is a handy feature Iain, especially when social distancing makes using a flash meter tricky.

[@baihu4u]

Expertly demonstrated! Thanks!

[@retirementhobbyfarmdiyadve1511]

This was an excellent and informative video. I also liked the setting for the photo shoot and the model's costume. Seeing those was also educational. Gavin's enthusiasm is always fun and inspirational. I really appreciate Adorama sponsoring such great videos.

[@hazybrain7]

Probably noted here already, but High speed sync really eats your battery power, so you'll get a lot more shooting with the ND filter - worth bearing in mind. Great tutorial - as always !

[@huyongquan6554]

Hi speed eat 1/8, ND eat 1/4, which is much power consumption. It is the game between high speed sync technology with solid unchanged ND. High speed win.

[@jasonbodden8816]

@@huyongquan6554 Not true at all. High Speed Sync generally robs you of a good bit more flash power than ND filters. That's just fact.

[@voederbietels]

@@jasonbodden8816 and no HSS flash banding problems with electronic shutter

[@marksilvester4508]

Using a strobe in HSS mode will significantly reduce flash output, about half, if you need the flash’s full power ND filters are best.

[@Abakaschi]

Light from the flash going through a ND filter will loose power, too (stops as per the filter’s rating)

[@shawnvine4918]

Thanks for the comparison between the two methods. Haven't done much work with filters, so this was nice.

[@mor.6860]

Thank you Gavin as always. Always good material

[@gazdyer2732]

Great work Gavin , i have been watching your videos for many years , keep it going many thanks.

[@robjeeves]

Awesome work mate. Enthusiastic concise delivery. Gavin for the win 🥰

[@estevetravesa513]

It’s unfair that we can just like once. Gavin, your videos deserve more than one like!

[@gvasquez330]

You make it so easy to understand. Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelaxel7107]

Great, compressed learning. Awesome job.

[@VinceMuehe]

This was one of the best instructional videos I've seen -- probably because it relates closer to the photos I take.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words Vince 👍

[@duckd50]

Brilliant video. It is very useful to contrast two procedures with similar goals and very different work flow. Thanks for doing this.

[@Outlast1965]

Got another alternative aside from HSS. Thank you Gavin and Adorama!

[@HoodCompany]

Gavin and Jade flash brilliance by filtering the results.....Bravo to you both!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Booth. Filtering the results was spot on. I always end up with lots of great photos with Jade, so choosing which to use is never easy 😀

[@sanjaychawla693]

Beautifully explained. Thank you

[@Alex_science]

Hi Gavin. You are THE guy! I am learning a lot watching your videos. Thank you. Congrats from Brazil!

[@MrFbach1]

Gavin tutorials are so helpful. Thanks Man!

[@cotswoldphotographers]

You never fail to teach me something new or that I hadn’t considered, thank you for another wonderfully entertaining and informative video 🙏👍

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Garry, glad I've been of help 👍

[@I_am-that_guy]

This is awesome. Although a blown out background can be a stylistic choice, I liked seeing ideas of how to tame a very bright and often unpleasant background. You presented it in a very simple and understandable way! I've used off camera flash but fairly recently figured out how to set up for HSS on my EOS R. I was confused after watching the display blink at 1/200 and why I couldn't increase the shutter speed, and then the light bulb went on after some research. :) I'm looking forward to our session this weekend, which unfortunately had to be at 9AM, will be more successful when employing these tips for shots where we may have a very bright background. Thank you Gavin!

[@ternielstvalle]

This was a master class. Exactly the info i needed.

[@markbrown8251]

Your video was so go. I never had the thought of using ND filters with flash. Thanks I have more knowledge now. Keep it up.

[@sharvo6]

Hooray for a fun, non-pouty model!

[@BrettDownen]

The Ted Lasso of photography. Great tutorial, thanks for the side by side comparisons!

[@alexanderpons9246]

Great video Mr. Gavin Hoey its great to see side by side what one can get with either ND Filters Or High Sync Speed! Thanks ADORAMA for having this great and informative videos on your channel.

[@rogerharvey9863]

Why am I just learning about this now?! Good lesson, cheers 👍

[@Conan500]

Excellent comparison. Top work, Gavin, 👍

[@Manuelordorica880]

Nice camera +, nice setup, + beautiful model= great images; and behind all that, a nice set of skills from experience. Thank you Gavin.

[@kennethfabreag7889]

Very detailed! Thank you!

[@mirandavandenberk786]

Thank you ,I didn't now how its works outsite. I learn so much from you

[@Petukbhai838]

You are an Awesome Teacher indeed!!

[@JAIPCEN]

EXCELENTE !!! MAGISTRAL !!! FELICITACIONES !!! Gracias por la enseñanza !!!

[@christianfiore5193]

Just perfect, thank you for sharing!

[@bruceprichard2996]

Another excellent and informative video Gavin, well done

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thank you, Gvin and Jade! These comparisons are very clear, and your photos, as always, look very nice indeed. Take care!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words Mike 👍

[@kennethpreston3798]

Thank you for proving HHS is a convenience not a necessity. Thanks to KZbin many photographers don't realize you can actually take pictures outdoors with flash and having them turn out beautiful.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kenneth. If nothing else this proved to me that once the photography is done, the resulting images looked great whichever route you take... So I'm going to stick to the convenience route 😉

[@konsamprincesingh7763]

Thanks Gavin. You solved my biggest problem. I can't afford a light metre. I use a godox xpro and your ittl to manual technique saved my day. Thanks again.

[@keithks]

Thank you thank you thank you! Very precise!

[@johnlegg1446]

I really enjoy your videos. They are easy to follow and understand. I tend to want to watch your's much more than other Adorama videos. (no offense to the others but it's true) Thanks for what you do.

[@Ian-ub4cn]

Great video, thanks Gavin and Jade.

[@natnaelbereketmesfin1172]

Thanks Gavin. Wonderful explanation and good tips too.

[@chadp211]

That was very informative. I love it . Excellent work Gavin

[@pcfreak1992]

Great video, straight to the point and with nice visual examples! 👍

[@enjoiskaterguy]

Great, simple, and easy to understand explanation

[@valokuvaamoloppi285]

Never tried actually ND filters in location when taking portraits :) - need to try just to compare myself. Thanks for great videos, helps with my work :)

[@paulbell9957]

Brilliant stuff as always Gavin. Both sets of images looked great 😊😊

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@basharhijjawy7871]

Gavin, thank you so much for yet another great video and toturial. From your closing line, you said that using a mirrorless camera made it easy to use the ND filter because of the intelligent EVF. This means that using the filter with a DSLR will not be so easy as it will be hard to focus and even compose. So as a DSLR user I think HSS Flash is the answer for me.

[@bernidre]

I use a nikon d610 dslr and it works perfectly. I use a variable nd filter. Twist to let in light and focus, then twist to darken and take my shot. No issues what so ever, especially if you don't have an HSS setup available.

[@mmz0810]

@@bernidre that’s also how I do it on my dslr

[@Dime8611]

Great video as always Gavin. Absolutely master.

[@VitorAlvesEng]

I am from Brazil and i was looking for a video to take this doubt to me, it came at the right time this video, thank you so much ...

[@arekusu89]

Mesma coisa comigo.

[@vaski81ify]

Cool model, simple and natural

[@focus1ist]

Thanks! Learned a bit more...

[@TheMiguelant]

Just what I was looking for!! Great tutorial 👏👏

[@teleking58]

Always great stuff Gavin!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Robbie 👍

[@24_7devon]

Great work. Informative video. Thanks!

[@MrCustomiz79]

It’s nice to see you using a flash that most photographers can afford.

[@AchishkaNawagamuwa]

This solved my questions ❤️

[@guerradigital]

Excelente lección entre flash y filtros de densidad neutra. Greetings from México City.

[@AlbertArt]

Nice to see Gavin shoot outside the small home studio

[@MexinPL]

Gavin Hoey DID it again!!! great content, love it!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks 👍

[@andrejbjorn]

Thank you. Helped a lot !

[@amitabhmukherjee4954]

Thanks for showing new idea

[@beverlybasden2648]

Thank you so much!

[@iamdcraze]

Great comparison video!!

[@43topspin]

Great info. Great shots. Really makes me want to get a flash set up and take shots like these.

[@CoachAnthonyMiller]

Nice video. Thank you for your explanation of HSS.

[@adventurelife969]

Hey From Pensacola Florida love watching all ur videos ur extremely informative and I’ve learned a ton from you

[@AlergicToSnow]

Fantastic tutorial, as always. I’m off to try this with ad200 flash to test.

[@hamishmctiaigh4363]

Bang on, as usual, Gav!

[@Lisdiyanto]

Thanks for the tutorial

[@carlgray6764]

a good watch ! thanks gavin.

[@reimono]

love Gavin's videos

[@medievil2]

thank you Gavin

[@JerryMac1125]

Great explanation Gavin, Jade is gorgeous, you get the best models 👍😁

[@pmurray0511]

Very informative video, thanks.

[@brianharvey2468]

Thanks a great example of a good video I could follow easily.

[@SlamBradley]

Gavin is a master teacher

[@problemat1que]

Very nice B roll makes this an easy to follow educational video. I'd love a follow up discussing ND color cast, editing, and gelling the flash based on time of day.

[@dat2ra]

Excellent tut! There are many on HSS but this is better because it contrasts HSS with ND. (And Jade is just too cute!!)

[@seanivrymusic]

this is excellent info and examples