Bright sun? Flash'em!

When I'm out shooting on a job more often than not I get somebody walking by giving my that "what in the world are you doing" gaze. That or my subject I'm shooting looks at me like from another planet and then asks, "Why are you using flash in the middle of this nice bright sunny day?"

A flash can be a great little lighting tool in your bag or even if you just have a pop up kind on your camera..it helps. If the sun is blazing down casting odd shadows on your subject you want to use a flash to fill in the gaps. You also can get some pretty neat effects from the sky by just stopping down (high aperture) and a low ISO (film speed back in the day) and turn a bright sky moody and dark. Moreover, maybe you want a more moody setting but need to cast some light on your subject but want the background to look dramatic...use a flash.

The first example of the single soccer player from The University of Kansas was shot at 3:31 in the afternoon with a bright blue sky. What was needed was a dramatic type of shot for this player. So some controlled flash on her with some shadows was just the trick. For all you techie types the settings were f/13 ISO 100 and 1/250th on the shutter. I used my camera's pop up flash as a wireless controller and triggered a flash that was on a light stand.

The second shot was a happy group shot. Our main soccer player is deaf and has been featured by ESPN, she has made national news and such. We had the other team players do the deaf sign for applause while Emily was in the front with that big smile.   Shot at 3:42..eleven minutes later. That nice blue sky is what we had all day...along with some bright sunshine. Once again techie types this one was shot at  f/8 ISO 100 at 1/250th on the shutter. Same pop up flash doing the wireless thing with one single flash on a stand.

A little light and few tweaks with the aperture during the day will provide you with some dramatic type of stuff.

You don't need a fancy off camera flash to do the same thing. Your pop-up, although not powerful can fill your subjects face...light a flower...make an interesting effect also.  So shooting on a bright sunny day...FLASH'EM!  :-)

Have a great weekend!

Any questions feel free to email:

chuckfranceis@gmail.com

Or find me at these places:

www.chuckfrancephoto.com
www.facebook.com/chuck.france
www.twitter.com/chuckfrance

So...you wanna shoot concerts

So I get ask a lot...How do you shoot concerts? How come mine always come out blurry...out of focus...how do you get the good location..etc.

For the most part there is a formula on how to shoot a concert. This is all thrown out the window if you have a nice high ISO camera that (no brands names here!) can shoot cleanly above 800. If so enjoy shooting clean at ISO 6400! You lucky bastard you!

This formula is courtesy of a buddy of mine, Doug Reed. He was the house shooter for the University of Denver and has shot a ton of concerts. So props where props go...thanks Doug! If you want great video/film and still stuff click on over to Doug's GoodEyeMedia.com.

The formula is as follows.

First, you need some fast glass on your rig. So, basically anything 2.8 or faster and it doesn't matter what glass, just fast glass. I'm a big fan of Olympus gear so if you are an Olympus shooter or looking to switch...try this piece of glass.

Second and this is an important one, set the metering on your DSLR to SPOT meter, not evaluative metering. This will give you an accurate reading on the subject not the overall scene.

Third, get to know your focus points on your camera and specifically focus with one point and go for say an eye or just a face. You can either do the re-compose thing by holding composing then holding the shutter button down half way then re-composing or make life hard like me. I change my focus points on the fly as I shoot. I know NOT a good practice but I'm self taught so there you have it. It works for me.

Fourth, get a BIG card from a place like this one. More than likely if you are shooting a big artist you will get about three songs to get something good. In some cases it will be less. So shoot a bunch and shoot often.

Fifth, try to get the shutter at 125th or even lower but frame the shot to work the performers head and shoulders.

If the light is good such as the shot of C.C. Deville of Poison: you can get away with lower ISO, slower lens, faster shutter, etc.

If the light is poor, the venue is dark and dim the lights are colored and on auto timers you get something workable like Sonic Youth, BUT it takes a bunch of post to clean it up.

As for location: It's all if you get the press pass or not. Most venues will not allow pro cameras and if they do you need to be close to get something that give you a shot at getting something good. If you are lucky enough to get a pass and are working next to other photogs just remember a couple of things. We're all there to get the same thing..just for a different client. So be respectful of the other shooters. Don't stay in one spot to long if you have a great location....share the wealth. Know who is around you at all times. The last thing you want to do is back into a 70-200 with your noggin. PLAY BY THE HOUSE RULES. Whatever the artists management wants..no matter how crazy it seems....just roll with it.

Any questions feel free to email me: chuckfranceis@gmail.com

A random note for my first blog

Ok people since this is my first official blog entry. Let's just start with a quick howdy to everyone...howdy everyone!

I'm a freelance photographer based in Kansas, USA doing mainly photojournalism with some corp., magazine and editorial work. I'm a member of the the National Press Photographers Association, The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Olympus Global Professional Services program.

What you will more than likely find here in the future will be various ramblings, chest thumpings, soap box positioning and maybe even some helpful hints and tips with all things photography including, shooting, job prep, post processing, client hand holding, career tips and the state of the industry.

Places to find me:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/chuckfrance
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chuck.france
Web site: www.chuckfrancephoto.com

So for now.......hi all...cya soon!

Chuck