Off camera flash photography for beginners

[@mikesphotography]

🔴 And if you're struggling with your settings, this will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOsl6uGmbFnp68

[@HorshamHaberstroh]

It’s like drinking from a firehouse! I’ll need to watch again and follow Mike step-by-step with my gear. Thankfully, Mike demonstrates superb communication skills above and beyond command of the English language. He is very unique in that respect. When all is lost I seek out Mike Smith and Mark Galer. Still learning …

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! Sorry about that, so much info to get across in a small amount of time 😆😆...the great thing with youtube though is that you can watch it as many times as you want and all you have to do is watch the odd advert. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@woz2207]

Blimey - finally someone who can explain things succinctly, without the need for background music or nonsense introductions. I'm ever so glad I found you Mike, these are the new standard for tutorials!

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I have tonnes of tutorials on my channel so be sure to check them all out. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@jonkirkwood469]

Thanks, Mike. I think your tip on squinting solved shots of my wife with her eyes closed. It's become a family legend.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! You should have hidden this tip from her and kept the legend alive!! 😆 Great to hear I could help! 😁👍

[@snowwalker9999]

You have an underrated channel. I can see you reach 500K subscribers easily. You explain things the way everybody can understand. I'll get back to you with my questions.

[@edwardbarbieri5283]

Another BRILLIANT tutorial, Mike. I will listen to it again and again as I set up a portrait area. Many thanks.

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much Edward! 😁👍

[@stefangonzalevski9532]

That's the most complete flash course I ever seen ! Very well done. I wish I could have seen this video when I started photography ! (but KZbin didn't exist back then...)

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much!! Haha! I know what you mean, back in the old days before youtube, photography was a tricky subject to learn, especially on film where you didn't see the result until the film was processed. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@stefangonzalevski9532]

@@mikesphotography Exactly ! How stressfull it was to wait until we received the developped films and/or prints. That's why I did so few weddings at the time. And Polaroid was so helpful in studio !

[@dragonsfire333]

I’ve been a photographer since the dark rooms. Always been afraid of flash. I pretty much have always used natural light. Lately, I’ve been trying to add the skill. Glad I found your videos. Clarified some of the things I’ve been struggling with. Gracias!

[@uglyigor3055]

most helpful flash tutorials that I have found on youtube so far. You really make a great job explaining the steps that you need to keep in mind when you add a flash to the exposure triangle.

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear you liked my tutorials! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@kevinalmond3005]

Absolutely brilliant video along with the others on flash as well. Thanks!

[@LukePembrokeVideo]

Really appreciate this tutorial. Super helpful. I'm soon to be doing a lot of macro flash photography in very dark environments and have been really worried about figuring it all out. This video was so helpful in breaking it down simply but also how you can play with the settings on the fly. Thanks Mike!

[@alialnajjar9140]

This video helped me a lot!!! I truly appreciate you and your valuable knowledge for creating such a great video.🙏🏻

[@mikesphotography]

That's great to hear Ali, I'm glad I could help!! I have a loot more on flash photography as well, check out my flash playlist when you get the chance. kzbin.info/aero/PLDhXA9nCkoqZ0Qx-ZSaHeRYa3bpe8BVBK Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@alialnajjar9140]

@@mikesphotography Thank you dear, I’m really happy that I found out your channel.

[@DocMatthews0311]

New to your channel. New to professional photography. Loving what you’re doing.

[@ViktorKotschy]

I was waiting for this video for a long time. :) Thank you Mike! Very useful!

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear Viktor!! I hope it has helped! As always thanks for watching 😁👍

[@stelaw6]

Right come on get up 😅 awesome vid as usual mike,was good to see how you do it 👌

[@mikesphotography]

That model was such a diva!! 😆😆 Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@St.Olson_Photography]

Enjoying how your changing up the tutorials with your twin brother!! 👍💯

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! He makes an appearance every now and then!! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@YuyinSports]

Man you are truly a pro and a great teacher. Compared to other bigger photography channels like Peter McKinnon or Matti Hapoja, those are very entertaining but I'm learning so much more with your content. Keep it up! Heck I'm even considering getting myself a flash lol.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! Thanks very much! Glad to hear you are learning from my videos. Hopefully in the new year, I'll be able to add a bit more of the entertainment element as well. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@naveenr7165]

Amazing, lot to learn from this Mike, your videos are really helpful to improve the skills...

[@mikesphotography]

No worries Naveen, great to hear they are helping! 😁👍

[@OG-Everthing]

It's amazing how you anyways find the way to improve your videos ! ... there is something new every time which make it great to follow you :) Thanks a lot teacher !!

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks so much Mohamed!

[@stephenwoodburn2970]

Great video, Mike. This was as much a how to be creative, have fun and video editing video as it was a flash photography video. Your model, sitting there completely uninterested in what you were talking about just had me in stitches. I really enjoyed it. Try not to enjoy paradise too much while you are locked down. I hope you guys are getting a chance to enjoy the islands. Take care, brother.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! Thanks very much! I was going to try to film it having a conversation with the "model" but it proved too difficult...and my acting skills aren't great...maybe one day it will happen!! 😆 We're good, I've been out doing a lot of aerial photography with my drone lately, trying to get out everyday for 2 weeks ... dodging the rain storms!! 😆 I hope all is good with you dude!

[@mikesphotography]

Hey dude, Got a question for you, what cameras do you own? ... and do you know anyone with the A7sii or iii?

[@stephenwoodburn2970]

@@mikesphotography I do know a couple of guys that have the A7SII. I am not sure if the upgraded to the A7SIII yet or not.

[@mikesphotography]

Ah cool...I've got an idea for a new video, but might need a hand with a few things and was wondering if you'd like to get involved? You wouldn't have to talk on camera, just take a few photos...sound inticing enough for you!? 😁

[@stephenwoodburn2970]

@@mikesphotography Of course, let me know what you need.

[@carolynvines2027]

I am amazed at the professional quality of your interactions with You on screen! It is you, right? Or, do you have a twin? For me, this certainly adds an element of entertainment to your educational videos! *** Ah, you answered the question of a twin at the end. So, this is telling me to quit using no model as an excuse for not practicing, doesn't it? 😏 On another note..... I have an Altura speedlite and the remote I got with it does not have an ability to adjust settings remotely. I'm I limited to that remote; or are remotes interchangeable? Can I upgrade my remote without having to update the entire off-flash system? My model, if I were to find one, MIGHT be prettier; but your model has character, and that makes really interesting and compelling images.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! Thanks very much Caroline...that is me...no twin unfortunately, that would make it a lot easier to film these videos! 😆 It's all about just going out and photographing anyone and everyone who is willing, and if you can't find them, just do a self portrait shoot wiht the self timer mode. 😁 It does look like the altura triggers don't have a way of changing the settings ... Godox do have a trigger system that might work for these, you'd need to do some research but it might be worth looking into... amzn.to/3lOUpfY I'd check to see if it does work first though before spending any money on them. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@paulm8157]

Chock full of good stuff, including “squint” tip, Mike. Flash still complex; this post helps more when absorbed w/other episodes in series. No mention of flash metering? Nice model/host combo effect. Model release form a head scratcher, I guess?😁 Emotive vid thumbnail - nice. BTW, Foo Fighters won the recent MTV Global Icon Award at 2021 Video Music Awards event👍.

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much! Yep, it works well with the other flash photography videos ... lots to take in, so better in episodes than all in one...don't want to bore people to death with hour long videos and no pauses! I only got the model release late last night ... he is such a diva!! 😆 With metering, it's not really as important as it used to be. With film photography, metering was essential as you didn't know what you were going to get, but nowadays, if it looks good on the back of the camera, and the histogram isn't clipping either side, you're good to go. As always thanks for watching 😁👍

[@Jeff_Rowley]

Great video and your timing was perfect, thanks👍

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks so much Jeff! 😁👍

[@craigfeltham3318]

Amazing content again, Mike. So, so helpful 👍🏼👌🏼

[@mikesphotography]

No worries Craig, thanks for watching! 😁👍

[@Lordvader330]

Excellent tutorial. This really made it simple in just 16 mins! The only question I have Mike is, Geez how many Foo Fighters shirts do you own?

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! Not nearly enough!! 😆 As always thanks for watching 😁👍

[@cheyennethomas5964]

Love the T-shirts!

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much! 😁👍

[@pankbot]

Awesome tutorial man. I really appreciate the effort you out into this. I learned a lot. Also great job with the self portraits 😂 must have been tough waiting on yourself to get your settings dialed in.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! Yeah, I was getting so bored waiting for me to get those settings dialed in!! 😆😆 Thanks for watching Milo 😁👍

[@rcm291]

I thought it might be his twin 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 no surprise..as I recently subscribed to this channel

[@ChestiiPrinAmerica]

Thanks for in deep flash info. I would like to see some real world flash with a model. Doesn't have to be super edited or super structured. 👏

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much...I think I have some shoots coming up in January, so I'll get some footage of that. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@tharuns468]

Wonderful.. I learned something new

[@mikesphotography]

That's great to hear Tharun! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@ashleyeze8372]

Thank you soo much, so helpful

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear I could help. 😁👍

[@iamchriseagland]

Thanks Mike. Another really helpful video, thank you. How would you add a wireless shutter release to this kind of off-camera flash shooting scenario if you were operating with a tripod? (I'll be working with a Nikon D750, 2 x Godox AD200s and 1 x Godox V1. I was thinking of having an X2T in hand and a X1R dangling (don't really like the dangling) from the camera's wireless shutter port acting as a trigger for a Godox X2T in the hot shoe to control the AD200 and V1 off-camera).

[@philipcolumbus3054]

Mike, I have a Sony a7iii, Godox V860ii S speedlight, and a Godox X2T S remote. I have them all working together like one happy family except for one minor issue. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to engage high speed sync with this setup! Everything else works fine but I can't figure this one out. Do you have any tips? Thanks. By the way, your videos are excellent! You don't skip steps and your explanations and videos complement each other very well. Phil

[@mikesphotography]

Hey Phil, I'm not sure why it would not go into HSS automatically...normally with the godox system you just change your shutter speed and once over the sync speed it automatically switches on HSS. It might be worth contacting godox about it, as I don't have the same setup as you so can't test it out... Sorry I couldn't help more.

[@mentorsway]

I really enjoy your content and presentation. Informative and to the point. Thanks for not speaking to your viewers like we are all idiots. 🙂

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear you like my tutorials!! 😁👍

[@bioliv1]

Thanks! I'm not an amateour anymore, got the basics from your earlier lectures. Capture One is coming with panorama stiching. Anyway, for the time I mostly use Lr CC, they got so good this year. But keep C1 too, because of variation. Lr CC is faster for me though, their auto adjustments work better, and they have better presets. But need variation, too boring with just Lr CC.

[@mikesphotography]

Good to hear your photography is coming along Oyvind! As always thanks for watching 😁👍

[@paololarocca7684]

as usual an excellent tutorial Mike! About on-camera flash, I guess it is more acceptable for photo journalistic purposes when you just want to get your subject well lit and probably are less concerned about the artistic side of it, also it is seen in movies all the time, where a photographer trying to get a shot of a celebrity for example just points at the him/her his camera with the flash unit attached…..

[@mikesphotography]

Most definitely Paolo! There are times when on camera flash works well or is just necessary to get the moment. I've used it in parties and also when I just want a little bit of fill light in the shadows ... I do have a video coming soon on when on camera flash works... As always thanks for watching 😁👍

[@simonjamesdean2307]

I love photography videos - probably the only place you can get away with using a phrase like "If you want to shoot a family member..." without being arrested! :-)

[@mikesphotography]

Hahaha! Best comment ever!!! 😆

[@michael_weliam_photography]

Great explanation video

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much Michael! 😁👍

[@raghavendradasa1971]

Very Useful video

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much Raghavendra! 😁👍

[@Jakiyyyyy]

Wow the model looks like you :O

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! Although he is such a Diva!! 😆😆 Thanks for watching Jake 😁👍

[@philipculbertson55]

I've watched all your flash videos and noticed you never talk about using a flash firing to the rear into a white or silver umbrella to diffuse the flash. Is there some reason you don't like to bounce the flash off a flash umbrella? I am learning to use flash and that was an option I planned to try but now I'm wondering if there is a reason that doesn't work as well.

[@photonomaduk]

Thanks Mike I use a godox and yn568exII together? Would I need two godox trigers

[@sudhadityamondal8932]

Hello there, Please make a video on beginner flash buying guide.

[@mikesphotography]

I'll see what I can do. 👍

[@sudhadityamondal8932]

@@mikesphotography Thank you so much ❤️

[@haiderhusain9964]

hi Mike quite impressive presentation. ... but as a bigner one has to follow step by step instructions to shot portrait.

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks for your feedback Haider. 👍

[@location3603]

I tried to use my Sony a7iii with TTL CONTINUOUS flash exposure bracketing for Real Estate photography. Set the flash to TTL mode, press the shutter button and three pictures are shot with flash output at 0/-1/+1 EV? With my Godox V860iiis flash system, even if I set bracketing to continuous or single, when I press and hold the shutter, the first shot with flash goes but nothing follows. Is there any settings I have to change?

[@mikesphotography]

I remember someone having this problem before, they worked through it and told me what they ended up having to do..and there are two ways you have to work around it. 01. Unfortunately you have to do it in the bracketing single mode if you don't have an intervalometer, so it takes a shot with each press of the shutter button. 02. If you have an intervalometer, set it to take 3, 5 or 9 shots (depending on how many shots are in your bracketed set) with about a second interval between each shot. Then when you start the interval it will take all of the shots with the flash firing (if the recycle time is quick enough to keep up). I hope that helps., 👍

[@location3603]

@@mikesphotography Thank you.

[@cynthiaoktavianipantoro7546]

Hai mike, is there any difference to turn on or off wireless flash setting on a7iii when using godox trigger? Many times I tried trying both setting wireless on and off and the result was pretty much the same.

[@mikesphotography]

I don't think it matters with the godox flashes, I found the same as you, whether it is on or off, it seems to work the same. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@Ebi_films]

Hey hi I have some advance doubt in aperture, If I take a ful vertical image of a subject using 85mm f1.2, will the focus be on upper body or the entire body will be focused? Note : subject is standing straight

[@mikesphotography]

At f1.2, the acceptable focal plane will be very thin, so any variations in the way the person is standing could bring them in and out of focus. Say if their hips are pushed forward, or backwards, or if they push their chest out, but then pull their chin in, this would change what was in focus and what was out of focus. If you were taking a photo of a cardboard cutout of a person, the camera was perfectly level and the cutout was in focus, the whole think would be in focus, but if the camera was tilted down or up at all, then the body would drift out of focus. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@arielorellana5083]

I’ve tried to follow step by step and still can get the flash to be seeing in my images. Using a Godox transmitter and AD200 pro light. I can’t even make the light trigger in manual mode. It works using TTL but still no difference seeing on images

[@arielorellana5083]

On a Sony 7iii

[@lyapunov_aleksandr]

Good video, thanks! But we need more video about creative photos, like a boxing head!

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! Thanks very much! 😁👍

[@alunrees3056]

🤦🏼‍♂️ I’ve just spent ½ an hour experimenting with exposure settings and flash power, and getting completely confused with the results. Then I realised my camera was set to bracketing mode and changing the shutter speed by 2 stops after each shot!!!

[@mikesphotography]

Ah man, that would be really annoying...and really confusing... It is so easy to leave your camera in a setting from the day or so before and completely forget it is in that mode/function/setting. I've done it many times before!! Glad you worked out what it was in the end! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@alunrees3056]

@@mikesphotography Cheers Mike, another great addition to your channel.

[@jyoti_das1971]

Why are you not using a light meter ?

[@Ry311GP]

My 4 yr old godox xt1 s triggers misfires a lot now and have to often press it into the hotshoe so the contacts reset. Its just a very slight press and often fixes it. However i have to do it every 2 or 3 shots....any tricks to keeping it connect more consistently other than buying a new one?

[@mikesphotography]

Sounds like the connections in your Xt1 are wearing thin...I'd say get a new one, maybe the XT2s which looks a lot better. 👍

[@Ry311GP]

@@mikesphotography thanks but i reckon imm try to fix it coz im not a youtuber celebrity like you and get free shit.

[@mikesphotography]

Hahahaha! I wish I got more free shit!! At the moment, I have to squeeze it out to get any kind of shit...😆🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ycf9744]

I like the first photo XDDDD.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! That should be my profile pic!! 😆

[@jyoti_das1971]

For less background you have crossed the sync speed.That is not compatible with budget cameras like the 5000 series of Nikon

[@ChrisPBacon-df3vn]

Everytime I shoot with a flash I squint my eyes, I hate it when it happens.

[@mikesphotography]

It's hard to get around .. but get's easier with practice! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@ChrisPBacon-df3vn]

@@mikesphotography Yeah I learn a lot here

[@Haydenthemaker1000]

like for KISS shirt

[@MGMBPhotography]

I leant very little because your presentation. Wa so poor. I subscribe but I find your delivery so poor I struggle to get benefit

[@mikesphotography]

Thank you for your feedback and I'm sorry to hear that Mel. I didn't think that this was very different from my other videos, so it is a shame I couldn't help. Maybe I am not the right person for you to learn from. Thanks Mike

[@MGMBPhotography]

Far too jumpy between scenes and points in the video. Terrible presentation. Why don’t you just slow down.you have so great content and tips but it’s just a bombardment of words. Such a shame.

[@mikesphotography]

Like I said in your other comment on this video, I'm sorry to hear that Mel. I didn't think that this was very different from my other videos, so it is a shame I couldn't help. Maybe I am not the right person for you to learn from. Thanks Mike

[@red2lucas]

You're so rude to your twin brother.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! He was being so lazy ... and he could have done the bit to camera instead! 😆😆😆