Runway Model Shoot

[jcore]

Was in right place at right time on Batam island (off the coast of Singapore) and was invited to shoot runway model event. So much fun.



My first time shooting models and had to use built in flash. I took about 500 photos and most were slightly blurry. Question is how to best configure camera (1/60th seems too slow and even jacked-up ISO to 1600). Maybe just need extra flash?

Camera Canon EOS 30D
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 85 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Red-eye reduction
Software Elements Organizer 8.0
Metering Mode Partial
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Canon Flash Mode Red-eye reduction (On)
Focus Mode AI Focus AF
Metering Mode Partial
Flash Exposure Comp -1/3

[chicagojohn]

Originally Posted by jcore

Was in right place at right time on Batam island (off the coast of Singapore) and was invited to shoot runway model event. So much fun.

My first time shooting models and had to use built in flash. I took about 500 photos and most were slightly blurry. Question is how to best configure camera (1/60th seems too slow and even jacked-up ISO to 1600). Maybe just need extra flash?

Camera Canon EOS 30D
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 85 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Red-eye reduction
Software Elements Organizer 8.0
Metering Mode Partial
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Canon Flash Mode Red-eye reduction (On)
Focus Mode AI Focus AF
Metering Mode Partial
Flash Exposure Comp -1/3

I don't shoot models, but I would suggest you get at least a good speed flash, maybe one with TTL capability. You can use it on or off camera.

You would want to be at 1/125 at a bare minimum, and that would be fine for a strobe. That is because a higher intensity stobe will enable you to decrease your exposure value to a point where ambient light is virtually insignificant. So at 1/125 with a high intensity stobe, you might shoot at, say f/11 where if you took the same shot without the strobe, it would look almost black. And the thing is, the strobe is acting in about 1/1000 second, which will stop action of a model on a runway for sure, so it doesn't matter that your shutter speed is only 1/125 since ambient light capture will be minimal at the f/number you are using. At only f/4.5 and ISO 1600, you are capturing enough ambient light to blur your image at 1/60, I think.

Photography is an expensive hobby. I have a Vivitar 383 speed light that is TTL compatible and can crank out a lot of light at full power, probably an f/11 at relatively close range. So you might think about something like that for starters, possibly off-camera. I use it as a fill light on a light stand and it provides great light output.

Next steps involve various higher output strobes, gear, and money.... I'm sure you can read all about it on-line.

[jcore]

Thanks. I did experiment some with TV mode, where you can force up to 1/250 for my 30D. You're right, it's expensive (and addictive) ..

[digitalfrog]

Fashion shows in fashion weeks actually do not allow photogtaphers to use flash, but then the lighting is often quite good.

I avoid shooting under 1/320th of a second, and that's with a monopod.

We often underestimate a lot the speed of a model walking, and especially that hands and feet travel real fast !