The hardest thing to do with flash on a location portrait session is to use it in a way that adds to the photo but is almost imperceptible to the viewer. Known as fill flash or fill light, the art of getting it right is to use as little flash as possible but enough flash to lift the shadows.
Portrait photographer Gavin Hoey steps out of his studio and into the garden for a photo session with a timeless look. The classic styling leans itself perfectly to a gentle touch of fill flash but, how is it done? Gavin starts by using on-camera TTL fill flash to get the photos but as he shows, the look isn’t as subtle as he’d like.
Next Gavin switches to off-camera flash for his fill light. Using a small Flashpoint speedlight he takes you through the process of setting up high-speed sync flash and dialing in the perfect power.
Finally, Gavin switches his flash and softbox choice to something a little larger. The Flashpoint XPLOR400 PRO flash and the Glow ParaSnap 36″ Octa softbox allows Gavin to move the light further away but maintain the soft, fill flash look.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:05 Do you really need Fill flash?
1:56 On camera TTL Fill flash
2:52 Camera settings for Fill flash
4:04 Working out the Fill flash power
6:47 Speedlight Fill flash photo session
7:50 Setting up Fill light with a studio flash
9:11 Studio flash as a fill light on location
10:29 Conclusions and Subscribe
Gavin Hoey is a freelance photographer, content creator, OM SYSTEM ambassador, and trainer who specializes in all things photography.
With over 25 years of experience, Gavin’s photography career has grown from a part-time job writing articles for photography magazines into a full-time career creating video tutorials and live streams. More often than not he can be found photographing, filming, and editing in his small home studio.
Gavin is a highly creative and talented photographer who believes that anyone can take amazing photos. Now in his 11th year with Adorama TV, sharing that belief with over 1.2 million subscribers is an honor he never takes for granted.
Whether it’s portrait or macro photography, studio lighting, or post-processing, Gavin is passionate about creating simple, entertaining, and educational content. In fact, the only thing he enjoys more than talking about photography is actually doing photography.
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
OM SYSTEM OM-1
Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.2
Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
Flashpoint Xplor400 Pro
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
Flashpoint Zoom Li-on III R2 TTL Speedlight
Glow HexaPop 24″ II Octagonal Softbox
Glow ParaPop OTA-C Softbox Adapter
Glow OTA Adapter Handle
Glow ParaSnap 36″ Octa Softbox
Lexar Professional 1667x 64GB SDXC UHS-II/U3 Memory Card
#lightingtutorial #photographytips #adorama
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Model Jade Lyon
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Comments
28 responses to “Fill Flash On Location | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey”
I think they should upload the videos with higher quality, since it doesn't look as good when the video is played
Great video!
Thank you!
I think the gear list is wrong – listing the round OTA-C adapter instead of the Glow ParaPop OTA-S Speedlight Mount For OTA Adapter.
Just ran across your page and I love it . Really you're the best I've seem. And i love how you explain things
Well done Gavin, I knew the theory but this very instructive video helped me to fine-tune the process. Because it's all about the details. Thanks so much!
Wow, what a great lesson! Exactly what i am needing. Thanks so much Gavin and Sam!
Good to see you again! The pictures look very natural, well done!
Can you tell what lightning tripod this is?
What is your white balance settings pls?
Great photographer.
Excellent informative video. Why didn’t you use a light/flash meter?
Great video as usual. Question – any way to estimate the fill flash based on the ambient?
Great video… very useful. I shot with Jade earlier in the year in the Highlands and used my speedlight and softbox, which worked really well. Best wishes Jono
❤ love the video
beautiful set of images
I never use a flash, so if I did, the settings would really throw me. Like using such a fast SS, well, maybe also because my lens don't go nearly to 1.4. That's something I wish all these videos would feature, is using "lesser" lenses like many of us have to do.
Gavin, what are you using to record your EVF? I would like to record mine during games.
As usual, a great informative video. One question though, when you went from the speed light to a full flash you mentioned it would be a Xplor400, but when the pictures came up with the information on screen, it listed the flash as a XPLOR 300. Which one was it?
I love Gavin's videos, but of late, they are only basic. I hope we get to see some new techniques and advanced level videos again.
Great video Gavin. The background looks cluttered in the video but the images show what can be achieved with careful positioning of the model and photographer. Great light too! I also like the meandering fresh cut path.
Great video and tips on
Thank you
Great as always Gavin. Well done
Love these videos by Gavin! He keeps it real and fun.
Good video Gavin, but remember….the tires are only flat on the bottom 😉
Can i simulate the output of the xplor 400 with three speedlites and a bed sheet?
How heavy should the sand bag be?
Great Video! As always, your results are amazing!!! I do have on question: I appeared that Hi Speed Sync was not turned on, yet you took most of your pictures at speeds upwards of 2000. Did I miss something?