Nikon SB-800

[ffmedic245]

Does anyone have any tips on settings for a nikon SB-800. It always seems to light up the person very well but just about blackout the background. I know a new faster lens would help, but until then?

 

[SpeedTrap]

Faster lens will not help that much, you need to expose for the whole area and then adust your flash to add fill light. It can take a bit of practice.

 

[Antithesis]

Use a slower shutter speed and a diffuser. Just try to get it to the point where you can see your background, but not any movement around your subject.

Keep in mind that the hand holding rule kinda goes out the window with a flash, you just have to get the right shutter speed so it looks believable.

 

[notelliot]

i'd recommend bouncing the flash in this situation, when possible. angle the head so the beam hits a point right above the subject, so it falls behind and overhead.

if you can't bounce off of a ceiling, try a wall.

 

[plastii]

Does anyone have any tips on settings for a nikon SB-800. It always seems to light up the person very well but just about blackout the background. I know a new faster lens would help, but until then?

Here is a very interesting PDF file made by Nikon.
SB-800
Autofocus Speedlight

A collection of example photos​

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/SB800_techniques.pdf​

 

[airgunr]

The speed of the lens won't make a difference. You need to use a slow enough shutter speed to expose the background and then set the flash to "fill-in" the subject.

Depending on the type of camera check out your settings for front or rear curtain flash or possibly a fill flash function.

You may have to set the EV on the flash down 1 or 2 stops depending on the subject and distance from you.

Assuming your shooting digital, just try a couple of shots, adjusting as you go.

 

[JerryPH]

Does anyone have any tips on settings for a nikon SB-800. It always seems to light up the person very well but just about blackout the background. I know a new faster lens would help, but until then?

Learn to use the flash off-camera.

http://strobist.blogspot.com