Learn the differences between using a flash with an ND filter versus using high-speed sync! Check it out and tag me on IG with your results!
Gear Used (Amazon affiliate links):
Westcott Manny Ortiz Beauty Dish
Westcott FJ400 Strobe
Westcott Universal Flash Trigger
Westcott Bowens Speedring
Haida Variable ND Filter
Sony A7IV
Sony 50mm f/1.2
Sony Battery Grip
Roller Stand or B&H
#ocf #flashphotography #portraitphotography
Thanks to Westcott for sponsoring this video.
Model: Katelyn Tuck
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Comments
42 responses to “Flash Photography For Portraits: ND Filter vs High Speed Sync Technique”
The question is, which do you prefer for shooting portraits wide open with flash? ND or High Speed Sync? Sound off in the comments below!
Brilliant video thanks.
ND filter shots were better exposed because the shots at HSS the flash should have been reduced slightly in power.
Why do you want to shoot at 1.2 wide open? Lack of sharpness, ease of distorting image by finding wrong focal point, etc
Nice video, as I do have high speed sync and plan on getting the Nikon 85mm 1.2 with Z8 contemplating the ND for that lens specifically for this.
I preferred the ND based on the colors as the pink top was perfect to express this. Also the softer light on the face as well.
Both shots a greats and in a pinch one way other the other will make it happen.
This is very helpful. I struggle with off camera flash. This video put a lot of things in perspective for me. Thanks a lot!
With ND will save the power of the flash
Very informative, I understood……………great video. I watched it after watching your most recent ND filter video. The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fall into place for me.
Hi Miguel: Another great tutorial!! Love your explanation of the two techniques really makes it easy to understand. Think my next purchuse will be an ND filter.
Excellent tutorial simple and effective
Very nice video.
It's good to point that with HSS we are loosing about one stop of light from the flash so if you want to overpower the ambient light in a more sunny day ND filter is the way to go.
Very good lesson. Take care…
my nikon d5600 dont have hss but i do have nd filters this is a great technique – thanks for info
I think ND looks better, and also faster to get the right shot.
For portraits, I'd always go with nd filters. It's just more manageable for a photo shoot. The only times i use hss is for things in motion.
I find the use of ND combined with flash created a lot of shadows
Great Information Thank you Sir from INDIA
I'm not sure what's going on here, but she looked good in all the photos!
The subject is good at what she does. Great vid, it was helpful.thanks.
Can we get a link to the stand?
Model Katelyn Tuck reminds me of Gal Gadot!
I got into OCF around 2020 so I've never worked with equipment that didn't have HSS. I feel like the ND filter would just be one more thing to worry about…
Beginner here: I don't think you can really do wanna pull over the other? It just depends on the time of day and location. However I did like the speed sync these photos.
I bought an ND filter after this video but notices the camera struggles to focus well having the ND filter
The problem with HSS with flashes is that the power is really draining the batteries. With ND filters you don’t have to fill you pockets with batteries. As well, you will discover additional uses for your ND filter.
Nice work Miguel; alot of shooters mangle this topic- you didn't. Love the results. Old dude here/67; been using an old school (portable) Norman 400B flash unit for years + ND filters. I have a Big Stopper, 1-10 as needed. AF on my Nikons/DSLRs can sometimes wander, specific focus points….but WHEN it works, it works fine, and unlike HSS units….my flash doesn't have the continuous pulse- which eats up about half it's power. Plus a diffusion panel, etc. IF I went HSS, it would have to be high-power: 800+ watts min. Distance, Diffusion, Design eat up the Output.
ND filter is amazing !
Great Video!!
The photos looked edited. Thts Wht they look like with no editing?
HSS has more color in the background and more contrast. I vote HSS. But I am going to by Haida PROII. You can always use a good ND filter.
Advice …..if you use Hoya Solas Professional IRND filters you'll have perfect results .
No color cast and amazing results .
I use the 1.2 ( 4-stops)
4:55 great exposure 👍🤝
You're NOT fat.. you're bald.
for me the model is wayy too bright for the background
ive used HSS alot with capturing certain food photography photos.
Budget is my limitation. Great vid man 🤙
Great model…;)>
Now I know that I have chosen wrong profession.
Cool! I've never used an ND filter with flash….time to experiment ! Thank you….
ND looks better for me.
Another benefit of using an ND filter over HSS you can use a flash meter right?
Equipment DOES matter, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, that is if you want to improve and master photography for yourself.
HSS and ND filters both have their place
but a crappy (cheap) speedlite will NOT beat out the sun , and specially not in High speed sync. and an ND filter (cheap filter) will affect your image quality slightly.
so the answers are to purchase (equipment doesn't matter right?) equipment that can solve the above.
a 200 W or above strobe , with HSS capability , costs more money. but you will be able to shoot in higher sun blowout situations. the drawback is that you lose power for every stop that you increase in the shutter speed setting.
an ND filter you can use, also assuming that you want to keep your aperture setting, without going into shutter speed settings faster than your camera's maximum sync settings usually 1/200 or 1/250 depending on the camera. so if you want to keep your strobe's or speedlite's power, the ND filter will make the image darker and you expose the subject only using the power of the strobe.
the good ND filters(that don't slightly blur the image , its slight but you can tell with filter off and filter on) , and strobes that have these capabilities, generally cost more money
Be ready to Invest. you're not going to get it from incapable equipment. unless you want to take a badly exposed image, and fix it in post.