How to take club photos ?

kubota99 · Oct 24, 2011

Allright, here is my problem.

I tried to take take pictures in a club a few days ago, but couldn't find what settings to use... On my D80, I went full manual, 50mm nikkor f/1.8 + SB-600. Didn't quite work, I couldn't get the right aperture, shutter speed, or anything right... Pictures where too dark or just black, even with a fully open aperture!

I got fed up, took the D40 out, in auto mode, and it took wonders, well, kind-of.

Any tips on what settings I can use ?

For sure I can go stalk flickr and use the settings the pro's use, but yeah...
Thanks for the help ! If i need to specify anything, i'll be glad to!

Alex.

EDIT: Here is a link to my photo stream, 2 pictures taken from D80, 2 from D40. http://flic.kr/ps/PFk99

radiorickm · Oct 24, 2011

I looked at the link, but there is no EXIF information on the photos, so can't even guess. When you use the speedlight, especially in manual mode, watch the sync speed. Other that that, if it's too dark, add more light. (either open up aperture, increase flash power, or bump ISO) Good luck.

Heitz · Oct 24, 2011

Well, look at what settings your camera was using while in automatic mode. then set it to manual using those settings and experiment

joealcantar · Oct 24, 2011

I've never owned the D80 so really do not know the ISO limitations, I would crank that up to a decent range close to max and shoot aperature priority with your 50mm to help keep the camera shake down on slower shutter speeds. Once you find that happy medium (Without the flash) move the settings up just a tad and add some flash to see if it helps. There is no one "works everytime setting" , glance over the forum and see what folks are shooting and how. I've seen a few band shooters in here, nothing wrong with sending a personal message on how some of the shots were attained.
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Shoot well, Joe

KmH · Oct 24, 2011

When using strobed light (flash) the shutter speed controls the exposure of the ambient light, and the lens aperture controls the exposure of the strobed light.

Your camera has a shutter speed limt of 1/200. At 1/250 and faster, one or both shutter curtains block part of the image sensor.

The best recycle time of a SB-600 is about 4 seconds. Longer if you're not using the optimal battery type (NiMH). Recycle time can be shortened by using the SB-600 at less than full power. When you turn down the SB-600 power you have to open up the lens aperture to let in more light.

The settings you use are going to vary depending on how much ambient light there is in each scenen you shoot. In other words, just using some settings you glean off of Flickr likely won't work.

You do have the option of putting the SB-600 in iTTL mode and letting the camera and SB-600 make all the decisions. Be prepared for the camera and speedlight to often make the wrong decisions because both are actually just machines that don't have a brain. In other words iTTL is inconsistant, even when used by an expert photographer, which is why most pros use strobed light in manual mode most of the time.