In this video I show exactly how to shoot a sparkler exit on a wedding day including what camera settings I use, and what gear. Sparkler send offs can be a bit intimidating due to low light and how fast the part of a wedding day moves. So these are my tips for how to photographing low light exits with sparklers. I show a few different options in this video – with and without flash so you can decide what stylistic look you like best for yourself.
Film by harrisonweddingfilms.com
▽ GEAR SHOWN IN VIDEO ▽
Nikon Camera Body D610:
Nikon 50mm 1.4:
Nikon Sb910 flash:
Pocket Wizard Triggers:
Genaray Video light:
SET UP 1 | NO FLASH AT ALL
ISO 2000 50mm lens F/1.8 1/160 SEC
SET UP 2 | JUST USING VIDEO LIGHT
ISO 2000 50mm lens F/1.8 1/160 SEC plus video light on low
SET UP 3 | ON CAMERA FLASH ONLY POINTED UP WITH BOUNCE CARD FORWARD
ISO 1000 50mm lens f/2.0 1/125 SEC and flash at 1/16th power
SET UP 4 | ON CAMERA FLASH PLUS OCF
ISO 500 50mm lens f/2.0 1/125 SEC flash on camera 1/32 power & flash OFF camera 1/32 power
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Nikon Camera Body D610:
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Nikon 50mm 1.4:
Nikon 60mm 2.8 Macro:
Nikon 85mm 1.4:
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Nikon Sb910 flash:
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Genaray Video light:
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Film by harrisonweddingfilms.com
Hair something blu beauty
Flowers Floret and Vine
Venue London Town Gardens
Planning Rebekah Coxe
Great advice and tips!!! When I do exits, I for sure use the flash in the background, I've also through a speed light in a small diffuser (24×24) , held it high, tilted it down to give some nice soft fill. It is tricky when I'm flying solo, but when I do have an assistant with me, they walk right along beside me.
… Never shot with sparklers, but shooting it at night, I probably would have use a stroboscopic technique — capturing a little blurred motion along with the sparkles. — Anyway, just a thought, continued success!
What type of video light did you use?
Saved my life
Just what I was looking for. But I would go with higher Shutter Speed like 250.
Thank you so much for sharing your valuable knowledge! This video is very well done, love it! Thanks again!
I don't do sparkler exits anymore! 2 photographers I know got burned in the eye. One went color blind in the his eye!
Thank you so much for this! Great way to explain. I've shot with sparklers before but now I need to give them more detail! You've shown me how!
OH GOD THESE ARE DREAMY Thanks so much for this. I love your videos
I shot a wedding that the bride wanted both sparkles and Christmas lights above running across the walkway. It was a bit challenging due to different temperatures and frequency of the lights; they don't usually light up at the same time and you can have dead spots on a single strand. I used an on-camera flash and one on the back at a lower angle to prevent unintentional camera flare. I worked out great.
Awesome use of the video light! I don't have one of those and may have to consider adding one to my bag…
This was extremely informative and just what many of us want to watch and learn! I applaud you for being a very generous photographer with your knowledge and your enthusiasm and you wrote replies to almost all of those who commented, a class act! Definitely following you on FB has taught me a ton of things, and your videos are really great! Thanks!
Nice video
loved this video, your tips are so helpful. Keep up the good work and making great videos for us to learn 😀
Joy, I normally never leave comments but you are the first photographer I've been following on YouTube. I have been on a marathon of your videos because of your wonderful advice and tutorials. I've been searching for a sparkler video like this for weeks now. I shoot my first sparkler exit next week and I am SO glad you posted this. Keep up the great work!!
I have never shot a sparkler exit but it would be allot of fun to do it one day 🙂 Thank you for the tips!
I've always loved sparklers and have been mesmerised by how photographers can capture the many designs that you can create with the type of light it gives off. I absolutely love these types of videos. Well done Joy!
Can't wait to try these tips!! I've only done one sparkler exit and am hoping to do more. 🙂
I borrowed a video light for an evening wedding and it was really helpful
Awesome tips!!! I second shot a sparkler exit once, the main photoggrapher used your technic with the flesh behind. It was super nice.
I tried to do one as well but the people had only super small sparklers that turned off really fast and I had to use my kit lens so it didn't look at all how I wished :/
But I can't wait to try again!
Awesome pics by the way!!!
It was so helpful to see the different outcomes you got! Would love to see one on different outcomes using indoor flash (on/off camera, using 1 vs using more) in high ceiling venues in action just like this! Love your videos Joy
This is such a great video!!! I hope to book my first wedding very soon.
Ive always admired your videos! Thank you for great tips! Sparklers are my favorite to use!!
I love this video!!! Thanks so much for the information! I have done it with and with out flash and they didn’t turn out as good as your so thanks so much for the info!!!
I love this and all your videos the pictures are amazing
this was seriously so helpful, thank you! I’ve been asked before about doing sparkler exits but wasn’t quite sure how to go about it so this really helped a lot! ❤️