Nikons "auto FP" flash feature...

[James J]

I need to know if this feature (which is flash sync going over 1/250 shutter speeds, same as HSS for canon shooters) is actually good for portraits in bright ambient light?

I've got the chance to do some fashion style model photos for my university but currently I don't have an off camera flash system, so instead I'd rather shoot at a large aperture to fit in with my own style. My understanding of autoFP is that I can use my SB-900 speedlight as a fill light + catchlight for that sort of model shot.

My question is, does it actually work well? My girlfriend isn't here for me to test it on and the shoot is tomorrow morning :O

 

[An Exception]

I'd go with a cheap reflector personally. Bare flash catch lights don't look good imo, and neither do the harsh specular highlights it creates. I sometimes see wedding photographer use on-camera flash as fill, but it doesn't look any good, at least for me anyway.

 

[James J]

I'd go with a cheap reflector personally. Bare flash catch lights don't look good imo, and neither do the harsh specular highlights it creates.

Good idea as I've already got a very good reflector anyway and its easy to carry along with me. At the moment I don't know what sort of direction I can give, if any, in regards to the models, as some guy whos doing the interview has quite specific ideas of what he wants.