Please go to nightclubphotographer.blogspot.com for the updated and more comprehensive version of my free nightclub photography tips.
Nightclub Photography Tips:
Quick Reference Guide
Camera Gear
Remember that good photography doesn't necessarily depend on the best camera gear, but the photographer behind the camera. Keep my suggestions in mind as you browse through some of the camera equipment from the links provided below.
Digital SLR
You need to have at least an entry level digital SLR. If you have to choose between getting a better DSLR camera body or a better lens, get the entry level DSLR and buy a better lens. Entry level DSLRs are quite affordable and packed with features these days.
Zoom Lens
In a nightclub environment, your lens needs the flexibility to shoot wide shots of big groups and close up shots of one person. The ideal lens for nightclub photography is a fast (f/2.8) zoom lens in the 17-50mm focal length for a cropped camera body.
Flash
The built in pop-up flash in your DSLR is not good enough for nightclub photography. Avoid using it at all cost. Get an external flash unit where you can tilt and swivel the flash head so that you can can bounce the flash off the ceiling or walls.
Memory Cards
Memory cards are pretty cheap these days too. Make sure you have enough when you're shooting so you should be using at least a 1GB card.
Recommended Gear
Canon
- Canon EOS 7D
- Canon EOS 60D
- Canon Rebel
- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS Lens
- Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC Lens
- Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS Lens
- Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash
- Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash
Nikon
- Nikon D5000
- Nikon D3100
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 Lens
- Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC Lens
- Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 Lens
- Nikon SB-900 Speedlight Flash
- Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Flash
Accessories
I use the Black Rapid Strap RS5 because it has compartments for extra storage. It has zippered pockets with a phone compartment roomy enough to accommodate even larger smart phones. The zippered pockets can hold extra memory cards and business cards.
I normally don't shoot using a filter, but I do in nightclubs. I would much rather clean the filter with a napkin than clean the front element of an expensive lens with just a napkin. Use a filter and a lens hood when shooting in nightclubs to protect your lens.
The Sto-Fen Omnibounce is a small, versatile, lightweight, and very affordable flash diffuser.
Camera and Flash Settings
I assume that you're already familiar with photography and you know how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affect the final image. If not, please read some introduction to digital photography books to get a better understanding and appreciation of how the camera settings work to get the desired final image.
Exposure Settings
Mode: M (Manual)
I shoot 100% on manual mode.
Aperture: f/3.2 to f/5.6
I usually shoot at f/3.2 for individuals and up to f/5.6 for large groups.
Shutter Speed: varies (usually somewhere between 1/2 - 1/40 sec)
It depends on the room I'm in and what mood I'm trying to capture.
Play around with the aperture and shutter speed settings till you get the results that you like.
ISO: 800
You only really have to worry about noise if you don't get a good exposure. My pictures don't have much noise since I'm getting pretty good consistent exposure. If your pictures are underexposed and you try to fix them later in Photoshop, you'll find that's when you get a lot of noise.
Camera Settings
White Balance: Flash
Nightclubs are typically pretty dark so your external flash unit would probably be the main light source. Having the white balance set to flash would get you accurate colors so that you don't have to spend a lot of time doing color corrections during the post processing.
Picture Style Parameters:
Sharpness: +1
Contrast: +1
Saturation: +1
Color Tone: 0
I set my parameters to lessen the post processing. I pretty much get good results straight from the camera.
Flash Settings
External Flash Unit: TTL
I don't use any flash exposure compensation. You might want to try rear/2nd curtain sync if your flash/camera body is capable of doing it. The results you'd get would be a bit different from 1st curtain sync.
The flash is bounced off the ceiling or wall at various angles when I'm shooting with the flash on the camera.
The flash is held with my left hand and positioned it at different angles when I'm shooting with the flash off the camera. The flash is pointed directly at the subject and not bounced off the ceiling or wall.
FAQs
Got questions about nightclub and nightlife photography? Nightclub Photography FAQs has the answers! Check it out!
- Off Camera Flash
- Help
- Speedlight
- Prices
- Social Dancing Photos
- Sweet 16 Party
- Age
- Nikon SB50 Flash and Post Processing Images
- Lens for Nikon D5100
- Flash for Nikon D3100
- Focus Lock
- Nikon 1 J1
- Camera Setup
- White Balance
- Printing Nightclub Photos on Site
- Nightclub Photography Settings
- Background Light Effect
- Websites for Selling Nightclub Photos
- Nightclub Photography Rates
- Camera Settings - which one to keep fixed and which ones to play around?
- Fujifilm FinePix S2750 for Nightclub Photography
- Nightlife Photo
- Settings for Nikon D5000
- Bouncing the Flash and Taking Pictures in a Crowded Room
- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 VS Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L
- External Flashes
- Gear Recommendations for a $500 - $800 Budget
- Strobe Effect
- Nightclub Photo Albums
- Selling Nightclub Photos
- Canon 17-40mm f/4L Lens
- Post Processing