So. You want to go out and shoot pics of the kids trick-and-treating at Hallowe’en?
Challenges, challenges.
- It is dark. Backgrounds get very dark.
- Slow shutter speeds result.
- But bright bits are too bright.
- And flash can blow out everything.
- There is nothing to bounce that flash off.
There is no single answer, but there are strategies. And your strategies will centre around:
- Avoiding blur. Fast lenses will help, as will correct exposure (if the picture is dark, you need to make it appear dark enough, which means faster shutter speeds.)
- Being aware of the light. It is, and should look, dark.
- But also, avoiding the bright parts of the images from getting overexposed.
- Equalizing flash and ambient parts of the image.
- Perhaps diffusing your flash.
So these tips will help:
- Use high ISO: 800 or 1600.
- If possible, fast lenses (low “f-numbers”).
- And if possible, wide angle lenses – these are easier to focus and to use at slow shutter speeds.
- You can use White Balance set to the “wrong”setting to get more eerie light (try “daylight” or even “cloudy”).
- Expose to make the image dark (exposure compensation, minus, when most of the picture is dark, or manual exposure mode).
- Consider using a monopod.
- When using flash, considering turning that down (using flash exposure compensation, minus).
- Consider using a gel on the flash – perhaps a slight CTO gel.
- Consider turning your camera upside down and bouncing the flash off the ground, for ghoulish effect!
The good news: you have a few days to practice!
Michael