Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Low Light, and Tight Spaces

Ballistics · Oct 20, 2011

I took some pics of my teammates and figured the flash would serve well but when I tried to bounce the flash it was as if the ceiling absorbed it in one spot so I just went with the 50mm 1.8 which was to tight but the fastest lens I own. Here's what I came up with.

1 by Compressed Memories, on Flickr

2 by Compressed Memories, on Flickr

3 by Compressed Memories, on Flickr

4 by Compressed Memories, on Flickr

This is the first time ever shooting in this gym and the first time shooting this sport. It's a relatively small school so angles were tough to get, especially since I was using my 50mm.
What would be the reason why I couldn't bounce the flash?

Kerbouchard · Oct 20, 2011

Most likely, your flash isn't powerful enough to cover the distance. How high were the ceilings? Secondary reason could be the ceilings were black...can't really bounce flash off a dark ceiling.

Ballistics · Oct 20, 2011

The walls are probably 7 or 8 ft high maybe? I have the yungnuo 467.

gsgary · Oct 21, 2011

Your flash is not powerful enough to bounce for this sort of shot, here's one where i used a 400watt studio light with a large reflector fitted bounced off the high ceiling

Iso 1250 (to keep the background same exposure as restlers) 1/250 (max sinc) F4

Ballistics · Oct 21, 2011

Does the fact that the walls are all black affect anything?

Kerbouchard · Oct 21, 2011

Yes.

Ballistics said:
Does the fact that the walls are all black affect anything?

Ballistics · Oct 21, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
Yes.

Ballistics said:

Does the fact that the walls are all black affect anything?

Click to expand...

I guess that's my main issue then. What can I do?

Kerbouchard · Oct 21, 2011

Black absorbs light. That is what makes it black.

If you can't bounce, you will need to use direct flash with exposure compensation turned way down. Or if using your flash in manual, turned to a low power.

Ballistics · Oct 21, 2011

Kerbouchard said:
Black absorbs light. That is what makes it black.

If you can't bounce, you will need to use direct flash with exposure compensation turned way down. Or if using your flash in manual, turned to a low power.

Exposure compensation?

Edit: Nevermind I found it in the flashes manual. How would I use the meter regarding direct flash?

ulrichsd · Oct 21, 2011

I think the thing that would help these the most is paying more attention to the background. #3 is the strongest shot because the background doesn't distract from the subject (with the exception of the kid sitting on the right). The soda machines and mirrors completely draw away attention.

jake337 · Oct 21, 2011

The cieling was black but What color where the walls? I see some black and a mirror. Can you trigger your flash off camera?

Derrel · Oct 21, 2011

Jack the ISO value UPWARD is you need to bounce flash off of a black ceiling...or try bouncing the flash off of something light-colored that you can tack to a wall...or forget bouncing the flash...

Ballistics · Oct 21, 2011

The ceiling isn't black, the walls are. It's a drop ceiling and no mirrors. The mat space has 3 walls of black mats.

Maxum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy - Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York Not too many options.

Ballistics · Oct 21, 2011

jake337 said:
Can you trigger your flash off camera?

Yes I can.

ulrichsd · Oct 21, 2011

Ballistics said:
The ceiling isn't black, the walls are. It's a drop ceiling and no mirrors. The mat space has 3 walls of black mats.

Maxum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy - Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York Not too many options.

In 2 I thought that was a mirror between the black and red mats, but obviously having a mirror by a wrestling mat wouldn't make any sense at all. Still, I think the black mat background is better than the pop machine and coat rack...