HSS Portrait Secrets with Canon R5 II: Soft Fall Light & Bokeh

Want to master stunning fall portraits using High-Speed Sync (HSS)? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to mix flash and ambient light for perfect outdoor lighting with soft bokeh and vibrant skies using the Canon R5 Mark II. The first 500 people to use my link https://skl.sh/johngress11241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium! Join me in this outdoor fall photoshoot with Sophia, where I reveal my top secrets for capturing stunning high-speed sync (HSS) portraits using the Canon R5 Mark II with the prime RF 85mm f/1.2 and RF 70-200mm f/4 zoom lens. This vlog-style video also features footage captured on the DJI Air 3, Pocket 3, and the new Osmo Action 5, showcasing DJI’s latest technology. 🔑 Key Secrets for Perfect Outdoor HSS Portraits: 1. Depth of Field: Start by deciding on the desired depth of field and choose your f-stop accordingly to achieve beautiful, shallow depth of field and bokeh. 2. Background & Sky Exposure: Set your shutter speed and ISO to expose the background and sky correctly, staying at ISO 100 whenever possible for optimal dynamic range and minimal noise. 3. Strobe Power Adjustment: Adjust the power of the strobe until your subject looks well-lit on your camera screen. Watch as I walk through my one-light setup using the Elinchrom FIVE with a 100cm Deep Octabox. I share practical tips and tricks for balancing flash and ambient light to create flattering, short lighting with the sun as a natural hair light, perfect for beginners and seasoned photographers alike. Learn how to achieve full-body portrait shots with beautiful background separation and the soft bokeh, professional look everyone aims for. In order to use High-Speed Sync, you need to have a compatible light and a trigger capable of HSS. 📸 Camera Gear Used: 📸 Canon R5 Mark II Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM  Amazon https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm B&H https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM  Amazon https://amzn.to/2Z4GOd5 B&H https://bhpho.to/3HkgKNY 📹 Video Specs Breakdown 📹 This video was filmed using three DJI cameras to capture diverse perspectives and high-quality footage, all equipped with DJI ND filters. The DJI Air 3 drone, with its 70mm lens, provided compressed, scenic shots, including the Chicago skyline, during the opening sequence. The DJI Pocket 3, fitted with ND and Black Pro Mist filters, captured smooth, stabilized medium shots, while the new Osmo Action 5, clipped to my jacket and using RockSteady stabilization mode, provided dynamic, hands-free POV footage. All cameras were set to daylight white balance and manual exposure to handle the backlit conditions, although this led to some underexposed footage at the start. The footage was recorded in 10-bit D-Log M format and graded for a polished, professional result, with ungraded clips shown at 05:13 (for the Pocket Camera) and 11:08 (for the Action 5). I recorded a live view feed from my camera using my iPad and the Canon Camera Connect mobile app. During the video, I overlaid straight-out-of-camera JPEGs on the live view feed while shooting, and I also showcase the final retouched version of the photos at the end of each look. DJI Air 3 Drone Fly More Combo with RC 2 Remote Controller  Amazon https://amzn.to/4forhqd B&H https://bhpho.to/3AGlKMH DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Amazon https://amzn.to/3Z2xfrk B&H https://bhpho.to/4er3Dbr DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Amazon https://amzn.to/4fHBhe4 B&H https://bhpho.to/3NOSDdq This Video was captured by Seed Lynn. 🔥 Your Turn! 📸🔥 Let me know your favorite photo in the comments and if you’d like to see more of these vlog-style videos! 💡 Lighting Gear Used💡 Elinchrom FIVE Amazon https://amzn.to/3Um6V61 B&H https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ Matthews Beefy Baby Triple Riser Steel Stand with Rocky Mountain Leg Amazon https://amzn.to/3Cs7W9j B&H https://bhpho.to/3Cs85JT Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - Fundamentals 02:23 - 3 easy steps to follow when shooting HSS 04:23 - First Look 11:35 - Second Look 13:53 - Third Look 14:28 - Fourth Look 18:23 - Final Thoughts #CanonR5MarkII #HSSPortraits #FallPhotography #FlashPhotography #OutdoorPortraits This video is sponsored by Skillshare Click here for a full list of all the gear I use in the studio - https://johngress.com/gear/ Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a commission — at no additional cost to you.