Using on-camera flash, creative techniques, and ambient light, I captured a recent event in a way that reflected not just how it looked but how it felt to be there.
Hosted at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, the event presented both challenges and creative opportunities. With 300 attendees, a live band, and a bustling dance floor in a ballroom with towering ceilings and low ambient lighting, the setup can be intimidating for photographers. However, by embracing the conditions and adapting my approach, I was able to create a diverse set of images that not only documented the event but also captured its energy and atmosphere.
Table of Contents
Working with On-Camera Flash in a Challenging Lighting Environment
Ballrooms like the one at the The Queens Hotel can be particularly challenging for event photography. With ceilings too high to easily bounce flash and dim lighting dominating the space, traditional lighting methods can fall short.
To address this, I used a diffusion dome on my on-camera flash, angling it slightly to produce softer, balanced lighting where it wasn’t simple to bounce the flash effectively. This setup still produced a relatively small light source but at least softened the light a little and helped evenly illuminate my subjects while maintaining a natural look, even in the low-light environment.
For these more straightforward shots, I paired the flash with a shutter speed of 1/200 second. This ensured crisp, clear images that highlighted the event’s key moments without motion blur—a perfect solution for posed shots and candid moments alike.
Introducing Creativity with Slow Shutter Speeds
To capture the liveliness of the party, I switched things up for more creative shots. By reducing the shutter speed to around 1/2 second while keeping the flash engaged, I was able to blend sharp subjects with dynamic motion blur. This technique worked brilliantly on the dance floor, where the combination of colourful ambient lighting and movement created a sense of energy and excitement.
The flash froze the subjects in the foreground, while the slower shutter captured the swirl of lights and motion around them. This contrast gave the images depth and vibrancy, immersing viewers in the action. I experimented with various camera movements during the exposures, twisting the camera for example, which really ramped up the energy in the final images.
Embracing Ambient Light
For a few shots, I turned off the flash entirely to let the ambient lighting take center stage. This approach was particularly effective when the stage lighting or decorative colours cast interesting patterns and tones across the room. Without the flash, I could highlight the moodier, more atmospheric side of the event, adding variety to the final image set. This was particularly useful when using the ambient light to create silhouettes of attendees – sometimes moving my position slightly to allow a small amount to wrap around the subject’s face.
A Range of Techniques for a Balanced Result
By combining these approaches, I delivered a comprehensive collection of images that reflected the multifaceted nature of the evening. The balanced shots captured faces and details clearly, while the creative and ambient-light images added texture and atmosphere.
Key settings I used included:
- 1/200 second shutter speed for crisp, balanced shots with the angled flash with diffusion dome.
- 1/2 second shutter speed combined with flash for dynamic motion and energy.
- Flash off to showcase the ambient lighting and the venue’s festive atmosphere.
Bringing the Party to Life
The Queens Hotel ballroom, with its towering ceilings and challenging lighting, could have been a limitation. Instead, it became an opportunity to experiment with a range of techniques that enhanced the storytelling. Guests mingling at the photobooth, dancing under stage lights, or laughing with colleagues all became part of a vivid narrative during the night.
Through careful use of on-camera flash, creative techniques, and ambient light, I was able to deliver images that didn’t just show what the night looked like but also what it felt like to be there. Challenging lighting doesn’t have to hold you back. With thoughtful use of tools like diffusion and creative techniques like slow shutter speeds, you can turn limitations into opportunities. Experimenting with these methods can result in images that not only document an event but bring its spirit to life.
Can I Help Capture Your Next Event?
If you need a photographer for an upcoming event get in touch to find out how I can help. I’d love to work with you!
