Shooting large fish in low light
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Maybe this has been discussed before but I need a refresher. I’m having trouble getting good shots without blowing the fish out with a flash. The Musky pic I posted in the fishing board is an example of a fish of a lifetime that I almost blew because of OE (thank goodness my shutter is faster then my flash refresh). Now in all fairness this was a day when it was raining and I was very concerned about getting my camera wet so I rushed a few shots. Looking back I realized that I made these errors.
1. The camera was on center metering and Travis had a dark jacket on.
2. I shot it in Manual, jpg not RAW
3. For whatever reason the flash wouldn’t fire off to the side in wireless mode ( I didn’t take time to figure out what was wrong, it was raining).
4. I didn’t have my best lens out,,, again, it was raining.One thing I learned was toilet paper is great for removing water droplets from the camera. Much better then a towel. I’ll have a roll in a plastic bag from now on in case I run into this situation again.
Please share your comments on how to get good shots of big wet bright and shiny fish!!
Mike I’ll try to offer a few thoughts. I’ll also include a few samples
Remember there are no hard and fast rules.1. The camera was on center metering and Travis had a dark jacket on.
Always, always, always ask yourself when looking at something and picturing the pre image….what is it your exposing for????? There are a multitude of possible area’s/scenario but I’m going to try to keep it simple.
Are you taking a picture of a subject that represents maybe 25% of the frame? Or, are you taking a picture of a “scene” where the something represents 25% of the frame. In the former expose for the subject and dont sweat the scene. In the later expose for the scene and dont sweat minor problems with the “subject”. In this case yes over all the image might be a bit underexposed, but the Musky is well exposed. Dont sweat the clipped shadows too much.
2) Always shoot raw
3) Can’t help you. I will say that using remote flash for our kind of shooting is probably impratical. Takes too much time setting up in most instances, consider getting a decent or good flash bracket instead.
4) Rain is rain, you can shoot in it. I’ve shot in light rain and heavy rain…You just need to take some precautions, and if your uncomfortable don’t risk it.
If your sweating about the rain, your not having fun. Photography first and foremost should be fun…even if your trying to generate sales/business. When it stops becoming fun even for a day (rain)……….
Sunrise and backlit. Flash directed at him
Same fish 30 seconds later. Moved in closer, directed the flash head up.
In the rain images.
No exposure bias
negative FEC.
NOTE. Do I care that the anglers skin is hot???? No, the Browns the subject…
In the rain, very close,
under exposed TWO and 1/3rd stops
NO FEC
In the rain this time
Lens is wide open
ISO 100
1 full stop underexposure, ..wanted it DARK
no flash
Five different ways to tackle the same problem
Thanks for the great advice John. Pics 2 and 3 are exactly what I’m looking to capture and interest me the most of these shots. Mind sharing the lens you used for those? The clarity and color is amazing.
The boaters in the heavy rain were taken with the 85mm f1.8 wide open. Note, that lens is not weather sealed.
The rest were with the 24-70 f2.8 L which is weather sealed.
iso 400 f2.8
iso 400 f2.8
iso 100 f4.0
iso 100 f4.0
iso 100 f2.8
One more in the rain approach
iso 100
f2.8
Not flashed
Exp Bias + 1/3 ( low iso, + exp = more saturation)
One other thing you can try.
First want to emphasise. If your not trying to freeze motion which in fish portrait and grip and grins your not….SLOW the exposure down as much as you can without introducing shake…This will help with colours. Low ISOs
If your at 70mm or 50mm the average person will avoid shake at 1/focal length. If your at fx, 1/500th and ISO 640…knee cap the ISO.
As I and Zack have mentioned don’t direct the flash at the subject unless the distance to subject warrants it. Their reflective nature will create hot spots where you dont want them (on the fish).
Diffusers are great. There are a variety to choose from.
I use both a GF light sphere and a stofen.Depending your flash head you can actually direct the output back and away from the subject…Basically up and behind you. I don’t normally do this, but will do it when night fishing so as to reduce the deer in the headlights look and reflections from scales
I used my Zeiss lens for the Musky shots and normally it shoots wonderful shots with great color and pretty sharp. However this lens has a sloppy focus ring that is to easy to bump while holding the lens and will skew the focus pretty badly. I’m certain this is what happened because when I use my G lens the cameras focus is always dead on. This lens has done this to me before so I just need to realize it and keep my big ole fingers away from the focus ring. It will take nice shots so I’m having a hard time replacing it with a 24-70 2.8 G.
Zeiss images, what do you guys think, is it a keeper?
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