Charater Meets, Flash or No Flash?????

[BigGreen73]

Here's where I am stuck. Because I have been trying to figure out if I should plan on using an external flash or not for character meets. I have read a lot of posts on the Dis and other sites and the opinions vary.

No flash. Outdoor with flash shouldn't be an issue. Indoor shots, use 35mm f1.8 or 16-50mm f2.8 lenses. Larger f-stop with slightly higher ISO. Still want a fast shutter to avoid shake/blur. My only fears are loosing some depth of field. Will I be able to get entire shot in focus?

Flash. Use outdoors to offset shadows and backlighting. Using flash indoors, can use almost any lens that I have. Can go with small f-stop for larger depth of field. Shouldn't have to worry shake/blur. Need to be careful not to wash out subject.

So if anyone has an last minute tips or comments, shoot!! We're off to WDW in 12 Days.

 

[rymahoney]

great question im wondering the same thing. We will be using a 18 200 for walk around and 35mm for dining and meet and greets. cant waite for response from experts

 

[Luvscrappin]

I used the canon 24-105 as my walk around lens and used an external flash for character meets both indoor and outdoor. They look great...really helped with the shadows

 

[BigGreen73]

I used the canon 24-105 as my walk around lens and used an external flash for character meets both indoor and outdoor. They look great...really helped with the shadows

Any particular settings you refer using for character meets? Aperature? Shutter Speed? ISO? Do you just go full auto?

 

[mabas9395]

External Flash if you know how to use it. No Flash if you don't.

Sorry to make it that simple, but I think a big piece to this question is how comfortable do you feel using an external flash? Using an external flash is more than just attaching it to your camera and crossing your fingers. Do you know about FEC, how to bounce, high speed sync, the right times do go full manual, etc?

A flash in the right hands can make almost any photo better, a flash in the wrong hands can ruin what should have been an easy shot.

 

[mom2rtk]

I use an external flash for all character shots, both indoors and out. That's not to say that you can't get some good shots indoors with a fast lens and no flash. I've seen som very good ones. But I just don't want to take a chance on missing the shot because the depth of field was too shallow, or because the shadows were too harsh. Many of the restaurants especially have terrible lighting. And honestly, many of the set-up character meeting spots have terrible lighting too.

I typically shoot in RAW so I can adjust the white balance later and mess with the exposure if needed. I set the ISO at a level I feel is appropriate for the lighting. I dial the flash exposure compensation down a bit so I don't overpower the subject. But then I put the camera in program mode for these shots so 1) I don't take a chance on missing the shot and 2) I can stay in the moment and enjoy the interaction instead of worrying about my camera settings.

Best of luck! I hope you get the shots you're after.

 

[BigGreen73]

I use an external flash for all character shots, both indoors and out. That's not to say that you can't get some good shots indoors with a fast lens and no flash. I've seen som very good ones. But I just don't want to take a chance on missing the shot because the depth of field was too shallow, or because the shadows were too harsh. Many of the restaurants especially have terrible lighting. And honestly, many of the set-up character meeting spots have terrible lighting too.

I typically shoot in RAW so I can adjust the white balance later and mess with the exposure if needed. I set the ISO at a level I feel is appropriate for the lighting. I dial the flash exposure compensation down a bit so I don't overpower the subject. But then I put the camera in program mode for these shots so 1) I don't take a chance on missing the shot and 2) I can stay in the moment and enjoy the interaction instead of worrying about my camera settings.

Best of luck! I hope you get the shots you're after.

I am most likely looking to shoot character pics in program or Aperature modes depending on the situation. Couple of questions. What lens is your lens of choice for character pics? what ISO do you find to be the best for the characters and how much do you usually dial down the flash comp?

Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

I am most likely looking to shoot character pics in program or Aperature modes depending on the situation. Couple of questions. What lens is your lens of choice for character pics? what ISO do you find to be the best for the characters and how much do you usually dial down the flash comp?

Thanks!

My Canon 17-55 f/2.8 is on my camera 90% of the time, including character meets.

My ISO varies a lot depending on where we are. Outside it's probably at 200. Indoors at a set character meet it's probably at 400. Some restaurants with poor lighting, I have had it up to 800. 1900 Park Fare alwyas seems to be the toughes for me. Very bad lighting in there as there are no outside windows.

I adjust the FEC depending on the circumstances too. I usually take a test shot or two in line or at the table at a character meal. I'll dial it down -2/3 or -1.0 typically.

I'm not a technical expert. I usually know just enough to be dangerous. I'm always trying to find a balance between getting the photos I want and somehow staying in the moment enjoying the experience.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Like others have indicated, whether to use a flash or not is totally dependent on the lighting conditions. A flash is just another option we have in our arsenal of tools. If you can get the shot that you want without then go for it, but if not then slap it on and go for it. Experience and a test shot can tell you what conditions you are dealing with and then dial it in from there.

 

[BigGreen73]

My Canon 17-55 f/2.8 is on my camera 90% of the time, including character meets.

My ISO varies a lot depending on where we are. Outside it's probably at 200. Indoors at a set character meet it's probably at 400. Some restaurants with poor lighting, I have had it up to 800. 1900 Park Fare alwyas seems to be the toughes for me. Very bad lighting in there as there are no outside windows.

I adjust the FEC depending on the circumstances too. I usually take a test shot or two in line or at the table at a character meal. I'll dial it down -2/3 or -1.0 typically.

I'm not a technical expert. I usually know just enough to be dangerous. I'm always trying to find a balance between getting the photos I want and somehow staying in the moment enjoying the experience.

This is what I am looking for. Just some thoughts based on experience and a starting point. I definitely know what your taking about with 1900 PF for sure. We did it for BF and Lunch, and the lightning is for sure. I shot 1900 PF with just my point and shoot and got soem good picks but some were kind of blah...

With an F2.8 lens (I have a 16-50mm f2.8) I am surprised that you are going to ISO 400 and even ISO 800 using an external flash.

Anyway, maybe if I share what character meals we're doing that will help:

1900 PF (dinner)
Akershus (BF)
Ohana (BF)
Crystal Palace (BF)
Cape May Cafe (BF)
Tusker House (BF)

We will also be doing MNSSHP. Characters are a must here for us as well. Other than that, it will be the usual indoor/outdoor meet and greets. Anyone know how the lighting is where Tink, Princesses, and Mickey are greeting now?

 

[photo_chick]

I tend to go no flash but that's more because I'm far too lazy to carry anything else around. Which is honestly the main reason I avoid using a flash like the plague. I also don't worry about getting the perfect shot at character meals. I spend so much time trying to get it right with my camera that when I'm on vacation I tend to let it go.

 

[BigGreen73]

I tend to go no flash but that's more because I'm far too lazy to carry anything else around. Which is honestly the main reason I avoid using a flash like the plague. I also don't worry about getting the perfect shot at character meals. I spend so much time trying to get it right with my camera that when I'm on vacation I tend to let it go.

Love the honesty. So what is your go to lens for taking character pics?

 

[hakepb]

The problem with flash: the characters know when you took the pic, so then they start moving on, regardless if your child was smiling and/or looking in the right direction..so I typically go with no flash.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

The problem with flash: the characters know when you took the pic, so then they start moving on, regardless if your child was smiling and/or looking in the right direction..so I typically go with no flash.

Very good point!

My Canon 17-55 f/2.8 is on my camera 90% of the time, including character meets.

My ISO varies a lot depending on where we are. Outside it's probably at 200. Indoors at a set character meet it's probably at 400. Some restaurants with poor lighting, I have had it up to 800. 1900 Park Fare alwyas seems to be the toughes for me. Very bad lighting in there as there are no outside windows.

I adjust the FEC depending on the circumstances too. I usually take a test shot or two in line or at the table at a character meal. I'll dial it down -2/3 or -1.0 typically.

I'm not a technical expert. I usually know just enough to be dangerous. I'm always trying to find a balance between getting the photos I want and somehow staying in the moment enjoying the experience.

Oh great... now I want a flash... I already bought that expensive lens you recommended! (And I love it, so thanks!!!) I was thinking about a flash already. I've been hanging out with a professional photographer this summer trying to learn some things, and she's been such a help, to be perfectly honest, and I've learned some about the flash and settings... even on my on camera flash.

And back to the OP, I've used on camera flash (because I don't have an off camera flash... yet...) AND I've tried without the flash. Sometimes I'll even do both.

 

[photo_chick]

Love the honesty. So what is your go to lens for taking character pics?

Depends on where the table is. If there's enough light I'm often using my trusty old 28-105. But if there's not enough light I'll pull out the 50mm. It's a little long for some places but it's small and light and not a heartbreak if it gets broken in my pocket so I've just learned to deal with it being long.