Club photography - how to achieve this artistic look?

[Sunflair]

Hi guys,

me and my friend went partying a couple of times and got some pictures taken of us. I really loved the photo's and were wondering how to achieve this look. So the object/person is very sharp and in focus, but all around it are those blurs and smudges of colors that capture movement and lights so well.

example:

https://files.me.com/k.zantinge/ka7u0o
https://files.me.com/k.zantinge/7ka4zs

clubs website example: Sunset_Bar__AlcoParty_1|08|09 | 107

thanks in advance!

[TPF Sponsor]

[480sparky]

It's a mix of the bar lighting and camera strobe. The camera & strobe are adjusted so the bar lighting and strobe are both exposed correctly. In short, the bar lighting and strobes are 'matched'.

[joealcantar]

List the equipment you use at the bottom of the signature section , that way we can see what kind of options you have. Most of us can look at a spec. sheet on the camera and tell if certain things are possible with it.
-
Shoot well, Joe

[analog.universe]

Google around for a technique called "dragging the shutter"

[Schwettylens]

That is just a slow shutter with flash

[Sunflair]

wow, such quick replies! I guess I've just found a great forum
I cant edit my signature yet, cause got too few posts. But my equipment is: Canon Eos 5d mark II, canon 550ex, 24-105mm f4, 85mm 1.8, 70-200mm f2.8, 17-40mm f4
I just googled "dragging the shutter", i guess its exactly what i've been looking for! Now i only need to figure out how to do it and whether i can do it.
Thanks all so far!!

[Schwettylens]

nice equipment!

[Geaux]

nice equipment!

thats what she said...

[Postman158]

rofl

[Sunflair]

jealous much?

[Schwettylens]

you have long and wide equipment.

[CNWPhoto]

Under expose the camera a bit, and trigger a flash at the end of the exposure with rear-curtain sync. The flash I'll add the light on the subject, and the underexposure will allow the club lights to shine through without making everything too bright.

[djacobox372]

I get a lot of shots just like this just by shooting a fast lens with no post-processing. The moving club lights and relatively low shutter speed create the cool lighting effects.