OFF CAMERA FLASH Photography for Wedding Receptions

[@michyjua]

Excelent infomation!!! But why the person behind de video made the take, in a vertical way?

[@clifordjohn4776]

Thanks Ms. Vanessa! You rock! I have learned so much with your tutorials and tips! Australia based Photographer here.

[@VanessaJoy]

You are so welcome!

[@samcurrie7097]

Loved this! Very helpful :)

[@quaasimaustin5738]

Really good stuff!

[@nickschulman986]

Loving your book so much, Vanessa! You've really made me comfortable with the principles of light and being able to apply them in varied situations. Thank you so much!

[@kuau714]

Another great video Vanessa..

[@edagrdmaysonet3764]

I purchased your book 2 days ago. Really enjoy it. Great tutorial 👌

[@VanessaJoy]

Yay thank you!

[@Br8kz]

love this!! ty! :)

[@250GTOAJ]

Hmm will need some mini grids now. Very helpful. Thanks Vanessa

[@VanessaJoy]

There ya go

[@jessicaseaton6824]

Thank you for the grid demo!!! I’ve been literally wondering the same thing… ❤️❤️ wedding photographer

[@VanessaJoy]

Yayyy

[@pearllocket]

Thank you so much for the cause and effect tutorial Vanessa, this is exactly what I've been searching for!

[@cary5822]

Besides the fact that you are a talented photographer, you are a great teacher as well. I just started following and I’ve learned so much. ❤️

[@VanessaJoy]

Wow, thank you!

[@ElPescadoMan]

Very helpful!! Thanks!

[@VanessaJoy]

My pleasure 😇

[@JaeRobinson]

Vanessa, Thank you for sharing this video - SUPER Helpful - and boy don't I wish I had seen this prior to all my panic at my 1st 'large-ish' wedding. I'm shooting with the Caon EOS R and the flashes I have are Godox V860II [and I have those same stacking stands] The set up I tried was 4 flash units [one in each corner] - no grid - I set the lighting with no flash on - but it was a summer evening - and as it got darker in the room I had to adjust. I think that is the thing that I can't seem to wrap my head around - and each time I see you use the Profot with the TTL that can be saved for when you switch to manual - I kick myself - because Godox doesn't have that feature .. :) - Smarter with the grids .. and places where I might shoot from in the room. You certainly made it look easy. Thanks again. ---- J

[@VanessaJoy]

so glad this was helpful for you!

[@fatihyasinsonduren]

you are wonderful and i love you

[@traceyelmore877]

Thank you soooo much!!!!

[@thechallengecousins9549]

Miss Vanessa love ur work!! I have a question…. Do u use modifiers like umbrellas for receptions? Is using just lights without make the lighting too harsh and directional? Thanks😀

[@VanessaJoy]

I wouldn't use an umbrella for a reception because it would spread the light everywhere and kill the ambiance. I'd use those for group photos like here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZymZIOBn56AbLM

[@williamebert6047]

Love it This help a lot for me and other beginners that want to photo wedding receptions Thx

[@rudyrodriguezjr.]

Great tips! Thanks.

[@VanessaJoy]

Glad you like 😊

[@vishalbhowmik3885]

So in this situation are you using any sort of diffusion on the flashes?? I can see its only the grids.. so its not always necessary to diffuse light i guess...am i right?? Are these flash facing towards the couples directly??

[@VanessaJoy]

No diffusion. Just grids - it’s not always necessary to diffuse - just depends what you’d like. Yes they’re facing the couple/dance floor

[@vishalbhowmik3885]

@@VanessaJoy thanks for the response... Learning a lot from your videos...☺️

[@dubbleA100]

You always have the most useful videos 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 Now I just need to order another magmod

[@VanessaJoy]

Those magmods are so good

[@tysonator5433]

Very helpful video Vanessa. I have tried this at a relatives wedding with DIY barn doors on the Speedlites, plus I had two people hols the speedlites up in the air and used the canon's optical trigger system on my eos 7Dii via the pop up flash. I was stuck at sync speed of 1/250 and could only use f stops to control the amount of Flashlight. The whole setup was makeshift, on the fly, and winging it ! Lol

[@ListenEar]

Thank You!!

[@LH_DV]

Does it matter what degree the grid is? 10? 20? 30? Thanks!

[@pattymattes7124]

Well, if Seth didn't know you left those stands at CVS he knows now, LOL. If you didn't have grids could you lower the power on the flash? Also, just curious, do you use sand bags? I remember seeing this demo on Instagram. Great demo!!! Thanks!!!

[@alienproductions9948]

I've tried it without the grids and what helps, but not as well, is to switch the flashes to manual zoom on narrowest setting.

[@ScottRadfordChisholm]

I had never really put 2 n 2 together as for doing set ups like this or using grids, well explained Vanessa, love it, thanks. Must try now !! ;) I suppose, at a pinch, if you don't have any grids, you could try changing the zoom function on the flash head to like telephoto position, 100mm or 150mm zoom. Might have a similar look, not perfect, but better than the wider zoom view I gather.

[@ScottRadfordChisholm]

I just saw your response to same question below Vanessa lol ;)

[@marclabro]

very nice tuto. aren't grids too narrow on dance floor to take pictures of other dancing people ? do you prefer that method than having on -camera flash with a grid and magboune/magsphere + grid ? Is it better effect (wide angle effect) to take pictures from bottom to top like you did instead of having camera at height of their eyes ?

[@VanessaJoy]

It depends on what grid and how far from the dance floor :) And the angle is subjective. Personally I was trying to show you the lights and crop out the crap on the floor so that was my choice for this one :)

[@gregshawphotography8828]

Hey Vanessa. is there a reason to have four lights at a venue? Or is two ideal?

[@Jayd_O]

When do you use gels to match the room light and do you tilt the speedlight down or 90° is good? Thank you for the knowledge

[@VanessaJoy]

I don’t change the tilt for gels :)

[@alienproductions9948]

Question: do you usually add an on-camera fill-flash as well, or usually go with this dual off-camera flash only setup? Thanks in advance.

[@VanessaJoy]

Yeah I’ll do a fill flash on camera sometimes. Usually bouncing off of a bounce card

[@alienproductions9948]

@@VanessaJoyThank you, Vanessa! So to clarify, would you say your usual setup is 3 flashes?

[@VanessaJoy]

@@alienproductions9948 no my usual setup is bounce flashing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4eVknSXgJadjbM This is when I can’t bounce flash :)

[@alienproductions9948]

@@VanessaJoy So kind of you to reply. Thank you for your patience. If may ask, though, when using this off-camera set up, you generally do not use a third on-camera flash, correct?

[@hendersonribeirobrandina2120]

Vanessa, Thank you again. I got one question: If we don't have grids can we adjust the flash zoom to get similar results? Does it also works that way?

[@CoachLB13]

Vanessa instead of grids, would it work to use the zoom feature on the 600exrts?

[@VanessaJoy]

It wouldn’t zoom quite as much as needed for this effect

[@wanneske1969]

This is really helpfull ! I have a wedding to photograph tomorrow and it's been a while ! I use a Godox V1 round head, AD200 and AD400

[@VanessaJoy]

Nice!

[@wanneske1969]

@@VanessaJoy Actually I only used my Sigma 35 mm f1.4 Art the entire day ! The Godox AD200 really saved my day !

[@wanneske1969]

I find the autofocus of my Sigma 50 mm f1.4 (non Art) not reliable enough to use it on weddings ... I had the 85 mm with me but didn't use it. I had large groups to photograph and even for the couple I'd like to come close instead of being further away and use a telelens

[@marksnellingphotography]

Not gonna lie I gritted my teeth when Vanessa walked across the room with stand extended millimetres away from that chandelier..📸

[@VanessaJoy]

Gotta keep the suspense high!

[@marksnellingphotography]

@@VanessaJoy 🤣

[@lucschoonjans4540]

Mark Snelling same here.

[@symzg5995]

Would you keep the grids on only when it's the bride and groom on the dance floor and take them off when the floor gets filled???

[@VanessaJoy]

I would probably put a wider grid on but not take off completely

[@pyrocix]

Something I never really see anyone talk about is range. Most flashes are something like 24-105. Do you set a distance or just leave them wide?

[@VanessaJoy]

When you put a grid on them that becomes mostly irrelevant ☺️ Otherwise I set it to auto or change it if I’m specifically trying to Spot light direct flash or maybe bounce in the largest light source possible

[@N1ickem4n]

I found ur channel via Jared Polin, he recommended u as a good photographer to follow. So hi! 👋 What I can't stand is the phone camera aspect ratio. I watch KZbin on my 75" TV, but 2/3 isn't used due to the wonky ratio. 🙈 I do understand it's filmed for Instagram first off, but as I don't use that for video watching, these videos is unwatchable for me sadly.

[@VanessaJoy]

I have a very large mobile audience so I need to cater to them too. If it’s unwatchable for you, skip my Friday videos ;)

[@N1ickem4n]

@@VanessaJoy Sure I get that, but it is easier to turn a phone around, then a 75" TV set 😂🙈 So, why not film it in landscape aspect?

[@VanessaJoy]

NixPix bc like they description and lower thirds says, it was originally filmed for Instagram live... which is only vertical, on a phone.

[@aronkadas8246]

Hi Vanessa! Really like your videos, straight forward all of them! My question is about the height: 12 feet?? That seems reeally high.. I am about to buy two stands, one is 9.2ft the other is 12 but but twice the price.. schould I still go for the 12ft, 9.2 is not enough :) Thanks! Aron

[@VanessaJoy]

Yup. Doesn’t mean I go that high but it’s definitely sturdy at the 9’ I use it on vs extending another stand all the way

[@jkahn923]

Is it necessary to gel cto in this scenerio?

[@VanessaJoy]

No but you could. I prefer to have a little bit of warmth in the background lights versus making them white

[@williamebert6047]

If I use Nikon flash speed lights would I use two or more

[@varunkamal91]

Shouldn't there be cto gels to match the flash to the room ideally?

[@VanessaJoy]

I personally think no. When you do that it alters the ambiance of the room, which normally the couple has paid a lot for

[@kencrisp6333]

@@VanessaJoy Do you set your white balance to daylight when you expose for the background before using the bare flash units (w/o gels)? I was thinking I would set my exposure for the ambient light, set the white balance for "incandescent", and use CTO gels on my flash units. This would balance the ambient and flash lighting, making the lighting on the subjects more natural-looking, IMO. Your photos are amazing, but I can tell you used flash on the subjects, because is lighting is cooler than the background. I think it's a matter of personal preference. I'd like to try both methods and compare. You are awesome, btw!

[@nishimuraed]

Hello! Been watching your KZbin and recent off camera flash one. You use TTL for the off camera? And if it’s too much you just dial down the TTL? Is that correct?

[@VanessaJoy]

Hello! I just start with ttl to get a base power setting and then I flip to manual and make it brighter or darker :)

[@card-joker5301]

@@VanessaJoy how are you able to see the power of the ttl shoot ? or do you turn down the whole ttl ?

[@VanessaJoy]

@@card-joker5301 I check the image on the back of my camera :)

[@card-joker5301]

@@VanessaJoy okay :) so its your experience how 1/1 or 1/4 would looks like? I cant find a way to see the correct settings the flash used in ttl. like exif datas :) that would be good for using flashes maual after first ttl shoot

[@VanessaJoy]

@@card-joker5301 ahhhh I understand now. Profoto, and some others; keep the power setting when you switch from TTL to manual :)

[@paulsophocleous2544]

10:13 if we're shooting with speedlights and we don't have grids, is it possible to get a similar effect by zooming the flash head? Or is there still too much light spill?

[@VanessaJoy]

It’ll be a bit better but not nearly the same affect as a grid

[@cooloox]

A 105mm lens has a field of view of 12.7 degrees. So setting the zoom head to 105mm would definitely narrow down the spill of light from your speedlights.

[@JennaCee]

If you find your pics are a bit overexposed, what is the easiest way to change the exposure - decrease the ISO as you did?

[@mwran]

Do you ever gel flashes?

[@VanessaJoy]

Not typically as it kills the ambiance of the room. However if the background is going to orange then I would to slightly reduce it

[@ARGHAMUKHERJEE]

When we shoot typical Indian weddings, it's not possible to set flashes. So what I do is use flashes only for couple shots with diffuser umbrellas.

[@QLFProductions]

I wonder what it would look like pointing the flashes up?

[@VanessaJoy]

It would bounce light everywhere (assuming white ceilings) and loose the ambiance of the room

[@QLFProductions]

@@VanessaJoy ThankYou. I want to try this.

[@QLFProductions]

@@VanessaJoy how do I get your book?

[@andrepowell7639]

What light stands are you using?

[@VanessaJoy]

Manfrotto light stand stackable: adorama.rfvk.net/bndvM

[@GuitarLickzEthanLee]

this light is 5600k? hell no, the ornage light is at least 3200 great video by the way.. thanks!

[@VanessaJoy]

The flash is 5600k. They’re daylight balanced.

[@tylerHphoto]

how would you light a reception for dancing, when it's the party with all guests dancing?

[@VanessaJoy]

Exactly like this, but lights a little further away

[@wannabeturbo]

Awesome demo Vanessa, but I thought there were going to be bare feet in this video. 😜

[@VanessaJoy]

Lol I’m such a disappointment

[@wannabeturbo]

@@VanessaJoy 🤣

[@tedming3515]

The inevitable problem with this setup is that there is always someone who trips over the light-stand and knocks it over. Especially when the dancing really gets wild.

[@VanessaJoy]

Lol sometimes but that’s also why I like them by a DJ booth and the other by a wall where the traffic is low

[@tedming3515]

@@VanessaJoy I like it when you use this term - "low traffic".: )))) What would you use when the best buddy of the groom decides to show off with his version of "moon-walk" (naturally not bothered what's behind his back at all)?

[@VanessaJoy]

Ted Ming lol and that’s why we carry liability insurance

[@ZoyaKhan-pk4nv]

♥♥♥

[@carlosazevedo7748]

The issue is that during first dance you can't tell the couple how to dance they will dance on their pace and will. lol

[@VanessaJoy]

Lol very true

[@carlosazevedo7748]

@@VanessaJoy but still an amazing setup with on camera flash, which is what I use :) good photos you got here. cheers

[@jensoncharuvila]

I like photography but I have no camera.

[@jusunas]

2 lights 1 side.. Snicker.. move on lol.

[@carpediem7192]

your work is ok but you feel bother a lot how you walk and stand up

[@VanessaJoy]

I have no idea what you’re saying.