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Using a flash: how to achieve motion with flash
Old 06-26-2011   #1
filmfan
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Using a flash: how to achieve motion with flash
I will be shooting an event pretty soon and have decided to learn how to shoot some photos with blurry motion using the flash to freeze the action. I want some light trails and motion blur by using something like f/16 and 1/2 to 1/15 second shutter and then blast the flash at the end. How do I achieve this effect? I am thinking of the dance floor after it gets dark. I will be using either a Nikon F5 with a wide lens or my Hexar AF. Which flash should I rent and what settings do I use? Is there a go-to exposure combination and flash setting to use in this situation and for this effect that works in very dim lighting?
Thanks.
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Last edited by filmfan : 06-26-2011 at 16:19.
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Old 06-26-2011   #2
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As you're probably talking electronic flash (anyone use flashbulbs any more?) the flash is so fast that it doesn't matter what shutter speed you use. There is the technique called "dragging the shutter". To do this, you use a much slower shutter speed than that required for flash. As you say, 1/2 to 1/15 is OK. The problem is that you need enough ambient light to register on the film while the shutter is open. If the scene is very dark, just the exposure from the flash will register. If there is some strength of ambient light, you will achieve the blurred motion from that exposure. Hope this helps.
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Old 06-26-2011   #3
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You need to use a slow shutter speed as suggested but also you need a flash capable of second curtain sync which syncs with your camera on the second shutter curtain. This is because otherwise the flash fires as soon as the first shutter is open. The result would be properly exposed person but with the trail infront of their movement. With second curtain sync the flash fires just before the second curtain starts to close. So if you use 1/4 second speed, then you will get a 1/4 second of trail from ambient light before flash fires and it wil be behind the direction of motion giving the motion trail I think you are looking for.

a basic flash unit may not be capable of second curtain sync. Depends on your camera sending the signal and the flash unit being able to interpret it.
Last edited by tlitody : 06-26-2011 at 16:50.
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Old 06-26-2011   #4
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Yes, "dragging the shutter" is what I am looking to do. The following photo is an example:


So do I just meter the scene normally and then shoot the flash? How do I add in exposure compensation for the flashed object in the foreground? (given my camera has a rear curtain option to fire the flash at the end of the exposure)
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Old 06-26-2011   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by filmfan View Post
Yes, "dragging the shutter" is what I am looking to do. The following photo is an example:


So do I just meter the scene normally and then shoot the flash? How do I add in exposure compensation for the flashed object in the foreground? (given my camera has a rear curtain option to fire the flash at the end of the exposure)
I don't know exactly how you set your camera and flash to do this. The amount of exposure from the flash is controlled by the aperture and not the shutter speed so I think the shutter speed can just be set to whatever you like providing it is not faster than the maximum sync speed. I mean it should be set to speed to give correct exposure for ambient light with no flash but base it on the fstop you are using for flash. So if you are using f5.6 then work out what the correct shutter speed is for that if you were not using flash.

If you are just looking to give some fill flash in a partially lighted room then set flash compensation to 1, 2 or 3 stops epending on how dark it is.
Last edited by tlitody : 06-26-2011 at 17:29.
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Old 06-26-2011   #6
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With the F5 I believe you can use any flash since you can set the camera to fire the flash on the second or rear curtain...

I use the SB-25 on my F5 and set the flash for rear curtain & TTL only mode...I then set the shutter speed to 1/8 or slower and the aperture around 4.0 - 5.6
With the TTL setting the flash will fire for a proper exposure and the slow shutter speed will allow for the motion blur and then the flash will stop the action for your (subject) in focus stopped action look...

You also need to check that your slow shutter speed doesn't over expose your shot...if it does then stop down the lens...
Play with different shutter speeds to find the right amount of movement you're looking for...the TTL mode should give you the correct exposure no matter which f-stop (with-in reason)
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Old 06-26-2011   #7
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Well I believe that if I use my Hexar AF with HX-14 flash, I can set the camera on "A" mode and just shoot away... I hope so anyways
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Old 06-27-2011   #8
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If you are going to be using the HX-14 flash you have several options.

Please read pages 9 and 10 of this pdf file:
http://aparatyfoto.republika.pl/k_hexar.pdf
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