This is The Digital Story Podcast #994, April 8, 2025. Today's theme is, "I Would Not Have Survived this Wedding Without Fill Flash." I'm Derrick Story.
Opening Monologue
Dateline: Sunday, 2pm, outdoor ceremony on a cloudless day. To say that it was bright outside would be an understatement. The sun was beaming in at an angle. Those sitting in the audience could dawn hats and sunglasses. Those at the alter could not. This is what separates iPhone snap shooters from event photographers. And in this week's TDS Photography podcast, I'll explain how I pulled it off. I hope you enjoy the show.
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I Would Not Have Survived this Wedding Without Fill Flash
Before I get to Sunday's wedding, I want to share an anecdote from my working past. For years wedding photography was my primary source of business revenue. Every season I would bring on a second shooter to make sure I covered all the bases.
One year I brought on a very capable photographer, one who has gone on to a successful career. But we ran into a problem; she did not like using fill flash for events. She was a natural light only photographer.
I was able to persuade her to use the flash for the gigs that she worked with me. But she didn't like it. I compromised by agreeing that she only had to use the fill light in situations that would otherwise be compromised by harsh natural light.
I thought her work with the flash was quite good. But after one season, we parted so she could pursue other opportunities. I wish she would have let me work with her more on fill flash photography. Because in my view, when done properly, it has a very natural look.
Since that time, I've read others who are adamant about not using fill flash. I smile and think of my friend who worked one season with me. And I say to myself, "If only they would let me show them how..."
Fast forward to Sunday's wedding. I wanted to use the Nikon Zf. This would be the first time I've chosen this camera for a major event. But it's been such a joy to work with, I wanted to see what we could do together.
Since I hadn't used it for events, I didn't have a serious flash for it. I decided to purchase the NEEWER Z1-N TTL Round Head Flash Speedlite for Nikon with Magnetic Dome Diffuser. I liked it because it was affordable ($169), powerful (76 watts) and had a big battery (2600mAh rechargeable lithium). I made a good call. That flash on the Nikon Zf served me well in every lighting condition.
The first big test was the outdoor ceremony bright sunlight. The contrast was amazing! The Zf was flash sync up to 1/200th of a second. So I set it in Program mode with flash on A-TTL and made a couple test shots. After reviewing them, I dialed back Flash Exposure Compensation to -1.3. The fill light was powerful enough to even out the contrast, but stayed balanced with the background. The shots look great.
Next came the group shots. I found a great spot in a stand of Redwoods with mild backlighting. I dialed back Flash Exposure to -1.6 and turned on the Skin Softening filter built-in to the Zf, set to the lowest level. Picture Control was set to Auto. Everything else remained in Program exposure and I-TTL for the flash. Beautiful!
Finally, the reception. Now I switched to Manual Exposure, 1/30th at f/5.6 and set the flash to -1.0. This provided beautifully exposed backdrops for all of the events such as first dance and cake cutting. Once again, fantastic.
I had purchased a second lithium battery for the flash and switched them out at the beginning of the reception. I did the same with the battery for the Nikon. That got me through the entire event.
I did so some natural light photography, such as for the flowers, food, and a few window-lit portraits. But everything else had some level of fill light.
The illumination emitted from the Neewer Z1-N round head was quite pleasing for people shots. I used the included magnetic dome diffuser the entire time because it was quite friendly to skin tones. The 5600K color temperature wasn't too cool, especially when matched with Nikon's excellent Auto White Balance A1 (to keep overall atmosphere). And the powerful lithium battery provided fast recycling time and long life. The flash and the Nikon worked together in beautiful harmony.
I'll be handing over the entire shoot to the bride and groom by the end of this week. I know they'll love them because I was sharing pictures on the back of the Nikon's LCD all during the reception.
Theresa, my wife, was the officiant for the ceremony. She was looking over my shoulder last night while I was sorting the pictures. She said, "I usually don't like pictures of myself, but you really made me look good."
I know she would have not said that if I insisted on shooting that ceremony with natural light only. And once again, I thought of my photographer friend from the past.
PS: The Nikon Zf mirrorless is an awesome camera for event photography.
Camera Industry News
We asked camera companies why their RAW formats are all different and confusing on TheVerge.com.
10 documentary shorts every photographer should watch on YouTube on DigitalCameraWorld.com.
Smiling in Profile Pictures Can Make a Difference, Study Finds on PetaPixel.com.
Virtual Camera Club News
TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.
New Workshop!: Sony Creative Master Class led by Rob Knight, starting on May 8th, 2025.
This all-new class is designed to help you make the most of your Sony camera. We will dive in to the features, custom functions, menus, and MORE. Each online class will include presentations and tutorials based on years of professional photography experience using various Sony cameras and lenses, PLUS plenty of time for your questions about the system.
Workshop Updates!
Creative Camera Techniques led by Derrick Story, starting on June 5, 2025.
In addition to the full slate of goodies I have planned for iPhone photographers, Fuji cameras, Nikons, and more, I'm adding creative techniques for the new OM System OM-3. Photographers will be able to pick and choose techniques based on the camera system they shoot with.
Sonoma County Autumn Adventure Workshop, led by Derrick Story, starting on Nov. 4, 2025.
We will be returning to Safari West African Wildlife preserve, and visiting the world famous Coppola Vineyard, home of amazing wines, rolling vineyards, Academy Awards, an authentic Tucker car, and more.
You can reserve your place of each of these events by visiting our Workshops Page.
Schedule a My TDS Moment Recording Session
If you want to participate in our 1,000th Podcast Celebration, here's how it's going to work. I've set up a Meeting Calendar for Friday appointments. If there's an open slot, you can sign up for it. On that date, we will connect via Zoom and I will record your TDS Moment. I hope you can join us in the festivities!
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.
