Unlocking the Power of Fill Flash: Action Photography Tips

[@brucegraner5901]

Great video. Since retiring I haven't used much flash, concentrating on bird photography. However, in case you have Lumix users who use the FZ1000 Mk2 or its Leica twin, the Leica V-Lux 5, you should be able to flash synch at any synch speed between 1/60th and 1,2000th, if you trigger the light via a Pocket Wizard radio link. At least this was something I did all the time with my Leica V-Lux 114. These Lumix 1-inch sensor cameras are very underrated. You're an amazing resource of information for us Lumix shooters. Much thanks for all you do.

[@ImageMaven]

Thank you Bruce! This is very useful information to have. I’m going to pin your comment.

[@lumixographer2185]

What a marvelous teacher you are, Marlene! You keep it simple so we can get it right.👍

[@ImageMaven]

Thanks Jason. That’s my goal. Simple and accessible.

[@GeertKuster]

I’ve recently purchased an on-cam flash and it is shocking how little videos about the subject is! So thanks for this 🙏

[@ImageMaven]

I agree! That’s why I thought it was time to make a new one. Thanks for stopping by. 😊

[@gordon3988]

Even when I don’t think it will apply to me I watch your videos, just so well done!

[@ImageMaven]

Awe thank you so much Gordon. That makes my day. 🤗

[@howardchud9097]

The only video I have found on this subject. 👍👍

[@ImageMaven]

Thanks Howard. Hope it was helpful. 🤞

[@briancarr89]

Hi Marlene: another mystery of photography solved! Many thanks.😀

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear this! I have to admit, it took some work on my part too. Cheers.

[@sutv6754]

Looking forward to watching this later Marlene. I have been struggling with flash for sometime now. Thanks.

[@ImageMaven]

I’ve avoided it for years myself!

[@collincourtois8587]

Another fabulous tutorial. Thank you.

[@ImageMaven]

You are so welcome, Collin! Thank you for watching. Cheers.

[@ksgtokgo]

I love your videos, always so interesting and informative. I have never used a flash, and don't think I will - but I still found your presentation fascinating and so very well done. Thank you!

[@ImageMaven]

Thank you for taking the time to watch Kathy. I have to admit I don't use my flash very much. I still consider myself a student where that's concerned. I used to use manual studio strobes and had no problem but sometimes these speedlights can be a challenge. Cheers!

[@Joeindy]

Never been a flasher but now I am!

[@MrFirstdance2000]

You are always so well informed and helpful...no wonder your name is mentioned more than any when it comes to those seeking how to use your camera in the facebook groups!

[@ImageMaven]

Awe, thank you Steve. Always great to see you pop into the comments. Hope all is well. I’ve been slowing down a bit with the videos as I’ve had some challenges the past months. I’m trying for a new video once a month, just to keep my skills and to keep connected to this wonderful community. Cheers 🤗

[@MrFirstdance2000]

@@ImageMaven I plan to buy you a coffee for in the morning!! I, too, have had some severe consequences but, I'm up and at least can put a mile under my belt to go get that shot. I don't know if you decided to do shorts or not, here on youtube but, I think that would be less work and still offer great value to your brand and to us, your faithful G'9er's ;) Be looking for that large mug full coming your way and again, a great video..thank you!

[@ImageMaven]

Sorry to hear you're going through some tough times too, Steve. Here's to better days ahead for us both! And thank you so much, again, for the coffees. I think you have more than paid your way where I'm concerned. I hereby officially give you permission to ignore all future coffee requests. :) As for shorts, I have done a few and yes, they're much simpler to create. Far less satisfying outcomes though, at least for me. I have a list of topics to make shorts on. I'll look at that list again and see if anything jumps out at me. Truth is, I'm really wanting the G9ii to hit the streets - Phase Detect AF and all that. Likely won't happen this year, but I live in hope! Oh, and I plan to get that 9mm f1.7 lens very soon. I have to plant my vegetable garden first though, because I know that once I get that lens, I'll want to play with it and the garden won't get planted .... LOL Take good care, Steve. Always great to have a chat with you.

[@sutv6754]

Great lesson Marlene, I'm get back to the flash drawing board. I also see you have a video on the godox. I have the same unit so that should be good. Also, I often like to buy coffee for the important teachers I follow but for some reason lately I'm not seeing pay pal. I want to buy but not at the sake of signing for yet another pay app and I have no heard of or putting card out there yet in another place. Pay Pal is so secure and easy to get help and protection if something gets hacked not to mention most have because of ebay and many others. . Just saying. Thanks. Looking forward.

[@ImageMaven]

Awe, thanks. It's the thought that counts! ☺Yes, unfortunately they dumped PayPal a while back. They use Stripe now, which is reliable and safe too. You can also use the "Super Thanks" method right in KZbin. But I'm not sure if you can use PayPal there either. I appreciate you stopping by and taking a look. Have fun experimenting with your Godox. Cheers!

[@sutv6754]

@@ImageMaven You mean they stopped using paypal across the youtube platform?

[@ImageMaven]

Sorry for the confusion. Buy Me a Coffee stopped using PayPal. Not sure about KZbin's Super Thanks.

[@dansr8342]

Nice video ... how come most videos on the subject do not mention FLASH ZOOM - would be nice to have an explanation

[@ImageMaven]

I'm not sure I know what that is.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

Oh dear. When you use HSS, the exposure duration is the sync speed of your camera. The exposure duration is managed with a slit in the focal plane shutter. While it's wider than your sensor, 13mm in MFT cameras, the exposure duration is set by the flash. Because the entire sensor is exposed to incoming light, it can be exposed in just one flash. If the gap is 12mm, things start to fall apart and you need HSS so your speedlight can make two flashes. So, the correct shutter speed is 1/250 for the G9, maybe a little longer for safety. You can shoot at 1/50 second, at some point you should add a VND to the mix. If you are shooting at 1/50 second, I suggest second shutter sync. You are likely to get comet trails, they are best behind the subject. The purpose of HSS is to get lighting contrast between the environment and the subject. Set the camera exposure (say) two stops lower than your metering and use flash. If you watch Gary Howey on AdoramaTV, you will seem him regularly eliminating ambient light with the camera settings and then adding light with flash. Sometimes he shoots outdoors, for example at the local RAF museum. He also posts videos to Gavtrain an OM Systems.

[@ImageMaven]

Thanks John. But to be completely honest, it’s precisely this type of information overload that turned me off using flash. My approach may not be textbook but it does allow me to start using flash and experiment. I’m sure though, that others will really appreciate your info. Cheers! 👌

[@sutv6754]

Hey Marlene I'm up and running with my flash. Your video broke me on though to the other side. Thank you. You did not mention how far away the subjects are. How close does one need to be for this kind of catch light?

[@ImageMaven]

Darn I forgot to mention that! I was shooting these with my 7-14mm lens. Subjects in my examples were 3-15 feet away from me. Even though the lens is wider than what the flash officially covers, I was using it for fill and was interested in how it affected the subject's faces and of course the all-important catchlight.

[@ImageMaven]

And I'm most happy to hear you tried it out and broke through! Thanks for letting me know.

[@AprilClayton]

I’ve been thinking of trying flash for macro photography of flowers. It seemed complicated. Your video makes it seem less intimidating. Marcus Pix uses interesting lighting outdoors with the G100. He made a Hollywood film and loves LUMIX cameras the most.

[@ImageMaven]

Hi April, Yes, flash can be complicated. I prefer LED myself. I use that for most of my studio photography these days. You can get some very affordable small LEDs these days. I love Marcus Pix. He makes photography fun! Thanks for watching. Always nice to hear from you.

[@IsmaelRodriguez45]

Why doesn't the constant view feature work on my LCD screen when using on camera flash? I use a Lumix G85 😊

[@ImageMaven]

I don't have that camera, but on my other Lumix I can push the LVF button and it will cycle through all the settings - On - Off - Auto. Otherwise you can look up LVF in your camera manual. I suggest you download the PDF of the advanced camera manual and keep it on your computer or phone. It has a searchable index. Easy Peasy. Hope that helps Ismael.

[@goodtimezproductionz]

Hello. Off topic but have you had any of the rubber grip pieces come loose? Best way to repair?

[@ImageMaven]

That has not happened to me. But I did break the rubber around the focus ring off a lens once. Maybe there's a local camera repair shop that can help you out.

[@benjieloveless]

Ive found the g100 useless for flash at any speed. Rolling shutter artifacts in about half of all of my shots.

[@ImageMaven]

As primarily a vlogging camera, it isn’t suited for flash as it’s limited to 1/50s sync. I have spoken about that issue in other videos.

[@sutv6754]

Buy the way Marlene, Since you tube does not take paypal for coffee I"m gonna have to get a link account. Coming soon :)

[@ImageMaven]

You are the second person that prefers to use PayPal. I will create a PayPal Donation link.... Coming soon. :)

[@sutv6754]

@@ImageMaven OH really? I was under the impression that was not allowed but either way coffee coming soon :)

[@ImageMaven]

If you're still keen, I've just put a PayPal link in the video description. But honestly, no pressure. :)

[@sutv6754]

@@ImageMaven DONE ez pee z. Thank you.

[@ImageMaven]

Thank you for your kindness and generosity! This was lovely to see first thing this morning.