How to: Shot Runway Show [Part 2]

In Part 1, we discuss the basic setting of Shutter Speed and Aperture. In Part 2, I would like to share briefly the other important setting including the use of flashgun.

Let’s get going….

ISO Setting

I keep my ISO setting as low as possible. This save a lot of my post processing works later on. Keeping ISO below 800 is recommended for most DSLR.

There are 2 schools of thought, some like to keep higher ISO to capture the subject without using the Flashgun. An image with flashgun effect looks harsh in their opinion. My take on this is? By carefully setting the flashgun output power, one can still achieve a natural image, it depends on how you set and use your light..!

Metering mode:

This image was using the spot metering so that the subject's face are well expose..

The only metering mode I use for my stage works are spot metering. Actually it doesn’t matter too much as always apply Manual Exposure setting so it does not matter to me.

For most of the stage event, a good starting point is 1/200, f2.8, ISO 400, Manual Falsh setting at 1/32 output power. Try fine-tuning the setting just before the shows to get the right exposure.




The benefit of using Manual Exposure mode is that the exposure for the entire event stayed consistent. At time, I may dial the shutter speed button if there are drastic changes of the lighting to increase or reduce the exposure by 1-stop.

White Balance Setting:

In most of today’s advance DSLR, the AWB (Auto White Balance) is quite accurate in normal scene. However, the fashion shows event often introduce mixed lighting and sometime light with difference color gels. So, AWB may not be able to handle such situation accurately.

The above image was taken using a slightly cool temperature (blue tone)....I think it's done at 3200K or there about...

My personal preference is to set the temperature color (Measured by Kelvin value) manually. What kindof value, well, depends on the situation!

Try and error approach is what I normally use unless I carry my "soft" Gery Card with me. For a good start, setting Kelvin value to 3200 is a good start for me; I like a more blue tone apply to my images.

The best approach is to use the industry grade grey card to determine the 18% grey scale and set you camera with it. But, how many of us willing to invest and carry such Grey Card with us all the time?


Flashgun Setting:

The latest flashguns introduced by the camera manufacture today are so advance that its can accurately and automatically adjust the output in accordance to your exposure setting to produce well expose images. (TTL technology in the case of CANON 580 EX II Flashgun)

I try to use the light from my flashgun to remove/ minimize the shadow on the model face...not much luck I guess...!

My personal preference however is dial to Manual setting and starts with the output of 1/32 and adjusts it according to the situation. It’s almost impossible to cover the entire scene with just a 1/32 output inmost circumstance, that is where I have to determine where will be my sweet spot and I will only fire my shutter when the Models reach that spot.

Many photographer uses the “Bounce” technique during a fashion show event. Well, bounce the light is good for portrait photography if we do not have the remote setup but bouncing the light source during a fashion show is (In my opinion) useless. The ceiling height is more than 20 meters in most of the mega shopping mall…how to bounce back the light?

I hope this article help you getting the basic of runway photography. Please do leave your comment here and share your thoughts with me.