Nikon D3300 / TT685II-N settings for bar / club etc photos?

[Elliot Bridgewater]

I am a beginner and have no real interest in learning too much about cameras.

I use my camera, a Nikon D3300 (with Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens), in auto mode (minus flash) and it works well enough in daytime photos. I like using spot focus, the background blur looks nice.

I want to start taking it to family events that take place in evenings, such as wedding parties, grandkid's discos etc, as smartphones camera LEDs are rubbish in low light environments.

I recently bought a Godox TT685II-N to 'replace' the camera's built-in flash.

I have the flash in i-TTL mode and camera in auto (with flash).

Is this all I have to do? Or do you suggest changing settings on the camera and/or flash?

All I want is to pick up the camera and go, not mess with settings every time I want to take a photo.

 

[Will Thompson]

The only other settings you might need to adjust to your liking would be exposure compensation (EC), flash exposure compensation (FEC) & possibly auto ISO if your camera has it.

EC for background lighting and FEC for subject lighting.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I am a beginner and have no real interest in learning too much about cameras.

I use my camera, a Nikon D3300 (with Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens), in auto mode (minus flash) and it works well enough in daytime photos. I like using spot focus, the background blur looks nice.

I want to start taking it to family events that take place in evenings, such as wedding parties, grandkid's discos etc, as smartphones camera LEDs are rubbish in low light environments.

I recently bought a Godox TT685II-N to 'replace' the camera's built-in flash.

I have the flash in i-TTL mode and camera in auto (with flash).

Is this all I have to do? Or do you suggest changing settings on the camera and/or flash?

All I want is to pick up the camera and go, not mess with settings every time I want to take a photo.

I think Will knows more about Godox flash than most of us!

Think about a backlit shot on the beach. Those controls allows you to not have the camera tricked into overexposure of the sky as you attempt to illuminate a person with their back to the bright sky.

I would practice and perhaps you might want to post the trials here to see how it all progesses. I agree with using spot focus.

Some important reminders on differences in EC & FEC in Canon v Nikon cameras!

Beware the with Canon, EC is generalized exposure and is independently controlled from FEC, the flash exposure adjustments.

In your Nikon system, the two are linked. So when adjusting overall exposure (ie background + everything else) this also adjusts the flash adjustments too!

Asher

 

[Unnamed Photographer]

I am a beginner and have no real interest in learning too much about cameras.

I use my camera, a Nikon D3300 (with Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens), in auto mode (minus flash) and it works well enough in daytime photos. I like using spot focus, the background blur looks nice.

I want to start taking it to family events that take place in evenings, such as wedding parties, grandkid's discos etc, as smartphones camera LEDs are rubbish in low light environments.

I recently bought a Godox TT685II-N to 'replace' the camera's built-in flash.

I have the flash in i-TTL mode and camera in auto (with flash).

Is this all I have to do? Or do you suggest changing settings on the camera and/or flash?

All I want is to pick up the camera and go, not mess with settings every time I want to take a photo.

To make your setup more effective for low-light family events, you're on the right track using i-TTL mode with your Godox TT685II-N flash. Here’s a simple approach to improve your results:

1. Camera Settings: Keep the camera in auto mode for simplicity. However, if you're facing low light, consider switching your camera to a higher ISO setting (such as ISO 800 or 1600) to help capture more light.
2. Flash Settings: i-TTL mode should work well for automatic exposure, but you can also adjust the flash power manually if needed for softer or more intense lighting.
3. Avoiding Shadows: Angle your flash upwards or use a bounce umbrella or diffuser if possible to soften the light and avoid harsh shadows on your subjects.

This setup should give you good results without needing to change settings constantly.