I have been asked to take some photos of staff and clients for a friend's physio business, which will involved doing some indoor photography. I have a Nikon D3400 but as I normally avoid using the inbuilt flash like the plague, I have little experience of how to get good results indoors. Almost all of my photos are taken outdoors in natural light.
So I am contemplating buying a flashgun to attach via the hotshoe, preferably with the ability to tilt it and bounce it, as my research leads me to thinking that would be a better option for avoiding harshness, massive shadows or burnout. Would that be right?
Nikon Speedlight 400 seems a popular choice, (Ken Rockwell recommends that), but they don't make it anymore. Found a second hand one online but wanted to ask for some wisdom from you wonderful way more experienced folks before I attempted a purchase. The D3400 does have a hotshoe on top.
Any recommendations? And why? Or tips on how to get good results using a flashgun? I do not have any special kit - umbrellas, shiny reflectors etc - nor any clue on how to use them. It would likely be just me and my camera and ....... a flashgun. Some of the shots would be action not posed portraits.
I was in the market for a flash three years ago and did a lot of research on brands. I have a Canon camera and I came across a Yongnuo flash through Amazon. The model I ended up buying but has been discontinued it is the YN560 III. It looks exactly like the Canon Speedlite but costs much less. I have had no problems with it whatsoever, I later bought two wireless triggers that I use when I want to have the flash off camera. You attach one trigger to the hot shoe and the second one to the flash. It works beautifully and at long distances.
@skipt07 Thanks, Skip. I will check those out, though I am in England so the prices and versions may be different. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to respond, much appreciated.
@casablanca Hard to know for sure, but I think you would find the SB400 a little underpowered. I also shoot Nikon and do a LOT of indoor events. I would feel more comfortable if you went with the Yongnuo that Skip @skipt07 recommended. Careful when ordering, there are Canon versions and Nikon versions of the speed light. You'll want the Nikon version of course. I use the Yongnuo a lot and haven't had any problems.
As far as getting good results, this is the mantra to remember: The bigger the source of light and closer to the subject, the softer the light is. So when you say you want to avoid "harshness", then you really want to be bouncing the light off something to make the light much "bigger" than the tip of the flash. Ceilings are fantastic if 1) they are white (or off-white), and 2) aren't too high. Ceilings up to 3 or 4 meters high you'll be ok. Simply point the flash straight up to the ceiling and shoot normally. The Nikon Creative Lighting System is really good and should light your scene pretty well. If the ceiling is 4+ meters high, then you can bounce off a wall if one is close enough or, you'll need a "modifier". There's a whole market of modifiers. If budget is an extreme factor, the flash should come with a small white square panel (i.e. bounce card) that's slipped into the head. Using your finger you can pull it out until it snaps into place. Point the flash up and small white square will bounce some light forward. If you want to be a little innovative and get better results, make your own bounce card by taping a white index card to the flash (so that it is sticking up behind the flash when the flash is pointed upward. This will do a better job than the little white plastic that comes with the flash. Beyond that, there are modifiers you can buy to put on the flash...I'd be willing to discuss those if you'd like but will skip for now unless you think that's a path you'd like to travel.
Another key element to getting good results is 'gelling' the flash to match the room lighting. There is orange and green colored plastic you can obtain, and taping the right amount over the end of the flash will match the color of the flash to the lights in the room. But, if you don't want to delve into that just yet, your Nikon should do a decent job balancing the light colors on the Auto White Balance setting.
And of course you'll hear people say that getting the flash "off-camera" is inevitably a goal - which is quite true, but to be fair and honest, I do a heck of a LOT of event photography for hire with a speed light on-camera and either bouncing it or with a modifier (I'm partial to the MagMod products because of ease of use). When you're really "on the go" its just less complicated and you can get really good results with a bit of practice.
@dbj_365 Fantastic, thanks so much for taking the trouble to respond. Brilliant tips and detail on how to do this in practice. I'll check out the Yongnuo in particular and see what's available.
@casablanca Oh, and P.S...when shooting indoors don't be afraid to crank up the ISO. The only people who care about high ISO are photographers. I consistently shoot at high ISO 1600-6400 and have NEVER had a client ever say "hmm...looks like you have a lot of noise in this photo!" :-). I have my ISO at 1600 very often when using flash. Last weekend I shot a fashion show for a fund-raiser/benefit...I shot the whole event at ISO 6400. I'm quite sure you'll do fine and will roll with whatever the situation calls for...but just wanted to throw that piece of advice out there since you stated you do mostly outdoor/natural light.
@casablanca You can't go wrong with Flashpoint units from Adorama. They are flash compatible with Nikon, Canon and others, but what is best is they use a 2.4GHz radio as well. Lots of options to add more lights and very broad array of accessories.
@casablanca I can recommend a Yongnuo as well. I have a Nikon D7200 and bought a Yongnuo 560 IV last year after having it recommended to me by a tutor on a photography course I was attending. He'd done a lot of research before buying some himself (he's a professional wedding photographer). It was much cheaper than the Nikon brand (about $100 NZ as opposed to $400 NZ for the Nikon one) but I've found it to be great. The only issue I've had was the instruction "manual" which I found impossible to understand. But I googled and found some instructions - can't remember if it was written instructions or a video now.
My tips would be:
~ "Bounce" the flash off a white ceiling or wall rather than pointing it directly at the subject because that causes harsh shadows, and practice using it a bit before you have to go and shoot for real. The Yongnuo 560 VI moves in all directions so it's easy for pointing anywhere. Mine also came with a diffusing hood thing (don't know the technical name for it) which I have on it all the time.
~ Buy batteries in bulk and make sure you have some spares with you ( I buy electrical stores' own big multipacks of about 40 batteries).
~ Use the flash on the lowest power level you can get away with because then it uses less batteries and recharges quicker on the lower power.
I love having my flash. I don't use it a huge amount because, like you, I mainly shoot outdoors but it's great to have when I do need it.
Thanks so much for all the practical tips and equipment thoughts. It is massively appreciated. So hard to find this stuff online from people who actually use the kit and know what they are doing. So you guys are brilliant, thanks so much.
@casablanca Lol... "know what they are doing" may be pushing it a bit in my case... I just bumble along and hope things turn out OK - sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't ;)
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Another brand I looked at was made by Neewer that has high ratings and is less expensive than the Nikon brand. It comes with two wireless triggers and diffusers included for $75 and has high reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-i-TTL-FlashDeluxe-NIKON-Camera/dp/B00O9RTDE4/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541186830&sr=1-5&keywords=flashes+for+nikon&dpID=51RBVfk-rAL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
A third brand I just happened on is by Altura. I see on Amazon you can get the flash with wireless triggers and diffusers included for $75. It has very high reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Altura-Photo-Professional-Flash-NIKON/dp/B00H84WRK2/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541186830&sr=1-7&keywords=flashes+for+nikon&dpID=51-i3hKd%252B6L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
As far as getting good results, this is the mantra to remember: The bigger the source of light and closer to the subject, the softer the light is. So when you say you want to avoid "harshness", then you really want to be bouncing the light off something to make the light much "bigger" than the tip of the flash. Ceilings are fantastic if 1) they are white (or off-white), and 2) aren't too high. Ceilings up to 3 or 4 meters high you'll be ok. Simply point the flash straight up to the ceiling and shoot normally. The Nikon Creative Lighting System is really good and should light your scene pretty well. If the ceiling is 4+ meters high, then you can bounce off a wall if one is close enough or, you'll need a "modifier". There's a whole market of modifiers. If budget is an extreme factor, the flash should come with a small white square panel (i.e. bounce card) that's slipped into the head. Using your finger you can pull it out until it snaps into place. Point the flash up and small white square will bounce some light forward. If you want to be a little innovative and get better results, make your own bounce card by taping a white index card to the flash (so that it is sticking up behind the flash when the flash is pointed upward. This will do a better job than the little white plastic that comes with the flash. Beyond that, there are modifiers you can buy to put on the flash...I'd be willing to discuss those if you'd like but will skip for now unless you think that's a path you'd like to travel.
Another key element to getting good results is 'gelling' the flash to match the room lighting. There is orange and green colored plastic you can obtain, and taping the right amount over the end of the flash will match the color of the flash to the lights in the room. But, if you don't want to delve into that just yet, your Nikon should do a decent job balancing the light colors on the Auto White Balance setting.
And of course you'll hear people say that getting the flash "off-camera" is inevitably a goal - which is quite true, but to be fair and honest, I do a heck of a LOT of event photography for hire with a speed light on-camera and either bouncing it or with a modifier (I'm partial to the MagMod products because of ease of use). When you're really "on the go" its just less complicated and you can get really good results with a bit of practice.
Hope that helps!
Really appreciate the help and info.
Here is the Nikon one:
https://www.adorama.com/fplfsmzl2nk.html
Here is a broader search:
https://www.adorama.com/l/Lighting-and-Studio/Monolights-and-Strobes/Flashes-and-Slaves/Flashpoint~On-Camera-Flashes
You can get bounce flash covers for them and use on and off camera with beauty dishes and diffusers.
I have several of these and they work very well.
My tips would be:
~ "Bounce" the flash off a white ceiling or wall rather than pointing it directly at the subject because that causes harsh shadows, and practice using it a bit before you have to go and shoot for real. The Yongnuo 560 VI moves in all directions so it's easy for pointing anywhere. Mine also came with a diffusing hood thing (don't know the technical name for it) which I have on it all the time.
~ Buy batteries in bulk and make sure you have some spares with you ( I buy electrical stores' own big multipacks of about 40 batteries).
~ Use the flash on the lowest power level you can get away with because then it uses less batteries and recharges quicker on the lower power.
I love having my flash. I don't use it a huge amount because, like you, I mainly shoot outdoors but it's great to have when I do need it.
Thanks so much for all the practical tips and equipment thoughts. It is massively appreciated. So hard to find this stuff online from people who actually use the kit and know what they are doing. So you guys are brilliant, thanks so much.