I think there is great value in learning how to effectively use both TTL and Manual. If you think of TTL as "auto mode for flash" and just leave it at that, you're doing yourself a great disservice. TTL like anything else is a tool and tools need to be learned. Manual has a serious weakness where being 1 foot away from your "optimised flash exposure distance" to your subject will greatly change your exposure. TTL solves this problem because it can take into account the distance you are from your subject and increase output to to properly expose. Now TTL is not perfect obviously, if someone is wearing light clothing but has darker skin, you'll get some funky results with TTL, but neither is manual a perfect solution either. There are trade-offs and benefits to both. So you should learn how to use both so that when you're in situations where setting and forgetting in manual is not useful, knowing how to use TTL with your camera will help with that.
Completely agree with you! And also: if you’re shooting with a flash in different lighting scenarios at an event, it’s pretty hard to keep the camera settings AND the flash settings correct so TTL is the perfect solution for that.
I wholeheartedly support your viewpoint; TTL is the most suitable choice for event photography characterized by fluctuating lighting, whereas manual mode is ideal for studio settings or environments with stable lighting and consistent subject distance.
Getting more into event photography and recently have a gig requiring flash. Thank you for this breakdown and I especially appreciate the closing "this on camera set up is enough" sentiment. I was watching another one of your videos where you talked about having around 4 more off-camera speed lights. It was definitely tough to remember that we have to start small sometimes. Thank you!
John this is gold info I never thought of turning down the flash and just stick it in manual, did some tests and omg this is a way easier approach especially for post production thanks so much for sharing!
Mr John Branch I am a photographer from Trinidad & Tobago. I have to personally thank you for recommending the magsphere. I did a wedding yesterday it took my photography to a different level . A magsphere is 700.00 dollars in my country our foreign exchange rate is 7.00 dollars to one American dollar .
Thank you John! Do you adjust your zoom often at a wedding reception? In what situation at a wedding reception would you adjust the zoom, and how would you adjust it?
Wedding photographer at a reception about 1995. I have a Metz flash on a grip - bracket with my Bronica SQ-A and Portra 400 (120) film. I need to get a photo of the bride's grandmother who is in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank. I know that if f I point my flash directly at her she will be a ghost. So I flip the flash head 60 degrees up and use my left hand as a bounce card by placing it flat on the back of the flash head. I trigger the camera with my right hand. I can feel the heat of the flash on my finger tips above the level of the flash. The pink tone of my hand is transmitted to the subject. In the proof she looked better (much pinker skin tone ) than she did in real life, esp under harsh lighting. True story.
@@jbivphotography thank you for a reply! Been watching your stuff for a few years, I started doing weddings in 2022 and have contracted this whole time with different companies. Your videos have been a good listen before big days for me unbeknownst to you lol
I already signed up a few months ago. Can’t wait for that course. I‘m usually a non-flash-photographer but of course I use them when it comes to the party and most of the reception.
That’s awesome to hear. If you’re already signed up you should be able to get access to the sections as I upload them. So keep an eye out for that and emails about its status as well. I’m working now on getting the actual flash examples finished up. That in my opinion is the most important part.
@@jbivphotography Oh cool! Can’t wait. And thanks again for your encouragement of going all primes … just sold my 70-200 2.8 and got an 135 1.8 and a 50 1.2. Yeah, in some situations I lose a little flexibility but it’s just so much fun to have so much more light available. I love that video of you talking about your choice of lenses.
John: thank you for all you do for new photographers, I had the pleasure to meeting you at Imaging USA. You’re such a wonderful person, thank you again , ❤
I've found a prime lens manual works it's always similar distance from subject so injust make tweaks with iso or aperture. Then if I was using like a 24 to 70 ttl is a must
Hello John , do you know that the XH2s can shoot flash with electronic shutter? I discovered that few weeks ago. Thanks again, Hugs from Portugal/ Lisbon
Not necessarily. It really depends on your camera and its noise range. You'll need to know what your limit is, however, raising your ISO a little bit is not going to ruin your image especially if your flash power is providing enough light.
I cover the type of flash in the full course but I've been using the v860ii for a LONG time now. I haven't upgraded to anything else because these work great for me. I think the v860iii would be great as well since I use the ii's now.
@@jbivphotography thanks for the reply John I am going back to Ghana for gd so I am buying equipment the lens I after is. The 55/200 n the v860 iii Do you have that lens?
You need to do the most recent firmware update for your 100 ii. Out of the box it didn’t work with any Godox flashes or triggers. It was weird. But the firmware update will totally fix that.
Wow you find the Magmod comes off easily? In my 10 years of using them I never found that to be the case. I personally haven’t used the V1 but I did notice they had that round mod which basically serves as the same purpose. It’s probably pretty useful.
@@jbivphotography Yer I don't know why, I think when they are resting down by my side, they just seem to come off quite easily when brushing against my leg. They just feel quite clunky. I love the V1 I purchased recently and yer the round mod works so well and sticks on like glue.
• Just wondering do have you ever set up a canon selfie at reception with a 4X6 and a QR code to promote your business and does this sound like a good idea
Question: I like to shoot with auto-ISO (which I got with a limit set at max 2000 ISO) in manual mode. Ofcourse with shutterspeed as lengthy as possible. lon Normally this works great in all circumstances, but Im wondering what will happen in combination with Flash in TTL mode? Would it first pick the flash intensity or the ISO setting? Or both? Anyone has experience with this?
You don't use TTL because it's always guessing? Hmm. Most of the time the flash will guess right, then you push the TCM button (on Godox) and it sets the TTL setting to Manual automatically.
using this rubber ball on the flash, you will get your camera's hot shoe broken in less than 5..8 weddings.We, as a team, used to use it and we had to send our cameras on maintenance for out hot shoes to be replaced. It helps, but destoys the camera...so its a big NO GO!
@@jbivphotography hmm I dont know what to say. Maybe the problem on us is that most of our weddings and partys are outside and because we dont have a ceiling, we have to point the flash direct on the subject, so the weight of the flash with the ball is forward and not vertical, applying a lot of force on the hot shoe
What about group photos? I found 1/16-1/8 is not enough to light them up when you stop down to around f/5.6 or more. And some fuji cameras ISO 1600-2000 is not enough. So we really need to push some light sometimes. For lithium-ion powered flashes its still faster to recycle at 1/8 power.
In this course I talk about how to use the flash in manual. The purpose of the course is to not confuse the learner with having to know EVERYTHING about the flash and more so focus on getting amazing results and a good process.
1/30 second using flash is too slow, even though flash goes very fast. You can have under exposure photo but you can’t have blurry photos. I think you need full frame for this as you try with crop sensor and don’t want to raise iso and of course lower your shutter speed.
When I’m saying 1/32 I’m talking about the flash power. Not the shutter. Your shutter should be a sync speed which varies from cameras but is usually around 1/250.
I'm 75 use flash inside and outside. I use to shot weddings, events, and portraits as a part time gig. When inside I've shot 1/30 shutter speed with flash alot and never had any problems (still don't) at any of the venues I've shot in.
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I think there is great value in learning how to effectively use both TTL and Manual. If you think of TTL as "auto mode for flash" and just leave it at that, you're doing yourself a great disservice. TTL like anything else is a tool and tools need to be learned. Manual has a serious weakness where being 1 foot away from your "optimised flash exposure distance" to your subject will greatly change your exposure. TTL solves this problem because it can take into account the distance you are from your subject and increase output to to properly expose. Now TTL is not perfect obviously, if someone is wearing light clothing but has darker skin, you'll get some funky results with TTL, but neither is manual a perfect solution either. There are trade-offs and benefits to both. So you should learn how to use both so that when you're in situations where setting and forgetting in manual is not useful, knowing how to use TTL with your camera will help with that.
Completely agree with you! And also: if you’re shooting with a flash in different lighting scenarios at an event, it’s pretty hard to keep the camera settings AND the flash settings correct so TTL is the perfect solution for that.
You beat me to it. TTL is a game changer once you know how to use it. Not learning will make you think manual is the best option.
TTL is cool... But in spite of knowing how to use it... I still go with what works for me.
I wholeheartedly support your viewpoint; TTL is the most suitable choice for event photography characterized by fluctuating lighting, whereas manual mode is ideal for studio settings or environments with stable lighting and consistent subject distance.
John, I really like the tempo of your instructional voice. Makes learning easy. Nice job!
That’s awesome to hear! Thank you for the feedback 👏👏
Getting more into event photography and recently have a gig requiring flash. Thank you for this breakdown and I especially appreciate the closing "this on camera set up is enough" sentiment. I was watching another one of your videos where you talked about having around 4 more off-camera speed lights. It was definitely tough to remember that we have to start small sometimes. Thank you!
John this is gold info I never thought of turning down the flash and just stick it in manual, did some tests and omg this is a way easier approach especially for post production thanks so much for sharing!
Mr John Branch I am a photographer from Trinidad & Tobago. I have to personally thank you for recommending the magsphere. I did a wedding yesterday it took my photography to a different level .
A magsphere is 700.00 dollars in my country our foreign exchange rate is 7.00 dollars to one American dollar .
That's amazing! 🙌 I'm so glad the MagSphere made such a difference for you.
Thank you John! Do you adjust your zoom often at a wedding reception? In what situation at a wedding reception would you adjust the zoom, and how would you adjust it?
Wedding photographer at a reception about 1995. I have a Metz flash on a grip - bracket with my Bronica SQ-A and Portra 400 (120) film. I need to get a photo of the bride's grandmother who is in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank. I know that if f I point my flash directly at her she will be a ghost. So I flip the flash head 60 degrees up and use my left hand as a bounce card by placing it flat on the back of the flash head. I trigger the camera with my right hand. I can feel the heat of the flash on my finger tips above the level of the flash. The pink tone of my hand is transmitted to the subject. In the proof she looked better (much pinker skin tone ) than she did in real life, esp under harsh lighting. True story.
Thank you so much! I’ve been struggling with flash and you just simplified the whole thing. You’re the greatest!
Easiest and clear understanding for learning flash more as I’m not savvy for flash photography made super simple
That's awesome to hear. I try my best to make everything super easy to understand.
@@jbivphotography thank you for a reply! Been watching your stuff for a few years, I started doing weddings in 2022 and have contracted this whole time with different companies. Your videos have been a good listen before big days for me unbeknownst to you lol
Thank you for keeping your video AI-plastic-music free!!! A delight!
You're Welcome.
I already signed up a few months ago. Can’t wait for that course. I‘m usually a non-flash-photographer but of course I use them when it comes to the party and most of the reception.
That’s awesome to hear. If you’re already signed up you should be able to get access to the sections as I upload them. So keep an eye out for that and emails about its status as well. I’m working now on getting the actual flash examples finished up. That in my opinion is the most important part.
@@jbivphotography Oh cool! Can’t wait.
And thanks again for your encouragement of going all primes … just sold my 70-200 2.8 and got an 135 1.8 and a 50 1.2. Yeah, in some situations I lose a little flexibility but it’s just so much fun to have so much more light available. I love that video of you talking about your choice of lenses.
love this! Thanks for sharing! I love sending your videos to my apprentice photographers and this is such good info for anyone starting with flash!
That's awesome to hear. I really hope it helps them out. Having basic flash training is HUGE for starting wedding photographers.
John: thank you for all you do for new photographers, I had the pleasure to meeting you at Imaging USA. You’re such a wonderful person, thank you again , ❤
It was great meeting you. I'm glad you enjoy all of the content.
Hi John, great video, can you please provide the name of the mag mount and sphere you used for the flash
if your using manual flash, would you have to make sure you stay within the same distance from the subject?
Thank you, this preview helped ease some of the aprehnsion with using on camera flash.
Thank you for your videos, youve no idea how much ive learned from them ❤❤
That’s awesome to hear. I hope it’s been very helpful!
I've found a prime lens manual works it's always similar distance from subject so injust make tweaks with iso or aperture. Then if I was using like a 24 to 70 ttl is a must
This is very true.
Damn…… you’re my teacher man 😎
Thanks! You made it so simple 💯✌🏾
Glad you enjoyed it. I hope it was helpful.
Hi, what should the WB be more at?
So much useful information here, thanks !
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome prequel !!!
I’m definitely going to sign up for your flash education.
Can you please talk about shooting using a flash bracket.
Great info
I'm happy you found it helpful 👍
When you change your camera orientation from landscape to portrait, do you change the position of your camera mounted flash?
I do sometimes but not all of the time. It depends on the shooting situation. But generally you can quickly switch your flash to shoot upright.
Hello John , do you know that the XH2s can shoot flash with electronic shutter? I discovered that few weeks ago. Thanks again, Hugs from Portugal/ Lisbon
So even if I raise the iso I will still have a sharp image because of the light from the flash ? Great videos John.
Not necessarily. It really depends on your camera and its noise range. You'll need to know what your limit is, however, raising your ISO a little bit is not going to ruin your image especially if your flash power is providing enough light.
At 6:09 you mentioned that you don’t gel your flash. What do you set for the white balance in your camera? “Flash”? 5500ish?
Hi John you did not tell me which model flash and what did you think of the Godox V850III or the Godox V650III Camera
I cover the type of flash in the full course but I've been using the v860ii for a LONG time now. I haven't upgraded to anything else because these work great for me. I think the v860iii would be great as well since I use the ii's now.
@@jbivphotography thanks for the reply John I am going back to Ghana for gd so I am buying equipment the lens I after is. The 55/200 n the v860 iii
Do you have that lens?
Great Video!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Just got my GFX 100ii, a few lenses and my Godox x Proii-F. Won’t trigger the strobes. Any ideas? Thanks.
You need to do the most recent firmware update for your 100 ii. Out of the box it didn’t work with any Godox flashes or triggers. It was weird. But the firmware update will totally fix that.
@@jbivphotography thanks. Didn’t do anything with firmware 1.2. If I go to flash menu it just says shoe flash off.
@@isoawe1888 Interesting. I know the update helped me with the issues I was having with Godox flashes.I hope you figure everything out.
Make sure your id and Chanel is the same on your trigger and flash
What are your thoughts on the Godox V1's and having the sphere mod that comes with it? I find with the mag mods that they can come off quite easily.
Wow you find the Magmod comes off easily? In my 10 years of using them I never found that to be the case. I personally haven’t used the V1 but I did notice they had that round mod which basically serves as the same purpose. It’s probably pretty useful.
@@jbivphotography Yer I don't know why, I think when they are resting down by my side, they just seem to come off quite easily when brushing against my leg. They just feel quite clunky. I love the V1 I purchased recently and yer the round mod works so well and sticks on like glue.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Have you ever used the Magmod Bounce 2 on your wedding shoots.?
I haven't. I tend to rock with the Sphere alone.
• Just wondering do have you ever set up a canon selfie at reception with a 4X6 and a QR code to promote your business and does this sound like a good idea
I haven't. I thought about getting into photo booths but as of now I just stick with the event photography side of things.
Does Squarespace have a protected client gallery page for downloads and payment?
They do not. A better service for that would be pic-time.
Question: I like to shoot with auto-ISO (which I got with a limit set at max 2000 ISO) in manual mode. Ofcourse with shutterspeed as lengthy as possible. lon Normally this works great in all circumstances, but Im wondering what will happen in combination with Flash in TTL mode? Would it first pick the flash intensity or the ISO setting? Or both?
Anyone has experience with this?
Great refresher. Thank you for making such great content!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
You don't use TTL because it's always guessing? Hmm. Most of the time the flash will guess right, then you push the TCM button (on Godox) and it sets the TTL setting to Manual automatically.
TNX
You’re welcome. I hope this was helpful!
using this rubber ball on the flash, you will get your camera's hot shoe broken in less than 5..8 weddings.We, as a team, used to use it and we had to send our cameras on maintenance for out hot shoes to be replaced. It helps, but destoys the camera...so its a big NO GO!
I’ve never had my hotshoe break and I’ve been shooting like this for 10 years.
@@jbivphotography hmm I dont know what to say. Maybe the problem on us is that most of our weddings and partys are outside and because we dont have a ceiling, we have to point the flash direct on the subject, so the weight of the flash with the ball is forward and not vertical, applying a lot of force on the hot shoe
Shutter/ flash sync speed, ISO 100-200, F4-5.6, TTL. Go.
I hate TTL so much.
You are halarious. You killed me 😂
@@jbivphotography😂
@@ahmedsassi8362 why?
Why don't you show photo samples of what you are talking about?
This is part of a larger course. In the rest of the course there are photo examples and more.
What about group photos? I found 1/16-1/8 is not enough to light them up when you stop down to around f/5.6 or more. And some fuji cameras ISO 1600-2000 is not enough. So we really need to push some light sometimes. For lithium-ion powered flashes its still faster to recycle at 1/8 power.
"hey bro I'm too hot" 😂
😂😂😂
Hey, my name is Jon Branch!😮?
😱😱
@jbivphotography I literally searched for "beginner photography basics" and your page came up. Then I noticed your name is same as mine 🤯🤯🤯
Now if you two look exactly alike then we have a problem 😅
If it turns yellow, soak your magsphere in distilled water with hydrogen peroxide to whiten it back.
Great tips. Thank you for sharing! I'll have to give that a try.
Love the sound effects you make. Bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh.
😂😂😂
I wouldn't buy the course, he didn't even mention the flash is TTL (so it CAN read info from the camera, non-TTL flashes don't do that!)
In this course I talk about how to use the flash in manual. The purpose of the course is to not confuse the learner with having to know EVERYTHING about the flash and more so focus on getting amazing results and a good process.
1/30 second using flash is too slow, even though flash goes very fast. You can have under exposure photo but you can’t have blurry photos.
I think you need full frame for this as you try with crop sensor and don’t want to raise iso and of course lower your shutter speed.
When I’m saying 1/32 I’m talking about the flash power. Not the shutter. Your shutter should be a sync speed which varies from cameras but is usually around 1/250.
I'm 75 use flash inside and outside. I use to shot weddings, events, and portraits as a part time gig. When inside I've shot 1/30 shutter speed with flash alot and never had any problems (still don't) at any of the venues I've shot in.
At 06:00, I use a white sock to cover the flash.
Nice