Midday sun on the cobblestones of the West Village, with harsh shadows and blown highlights on my model's face. Or a low-lit Brooklyn speakeasy where every watt counts. Those are the lighting problems that used to make me compromise on a shot just to get something usable. I shoot on the move in this city, so I look for gear that is powerful and still portable. That changed when I got the Godox AD800 Pro.
First impressions of the Godox AD800 Pro
The package arrived at my studio in Dumbo. I was skeptical. An 800Ws strobe that claims to be portable? I've been burned by that promise before. But the build quality was the first thing I noticed. It's solid and weighty without being huge. The main unit, the flash head and the separate battery pack all feel robust enough for a busy day on the subway or the sidewalks of Times Square. It isn't tiny, but it's compact for the power it delivers.
The controls are laid out logically, and the LCD screen is bright and clear even in harsh sunlight. That matters when I'm directing a model and dodging taxis at the same time.
Power
At 800Ws, this unit has real power. I've carried generators and big pack-and-head systems in the past, and they were a nightmare for street work. My old 600Ws strobes were decent, but they often struggled against the midday sun reflecting off the glass towers in Midtown, or to shape light in an open location like Governor's Island.
The AD800 Pro gives me headroom. I can knock the sun down enough to make good portraits at high noon in Battery Park. It also drops to 1/256th power, so I can use it as a subtle fill indoors or in dim light.
Battery life
A strobe that dies mid-shoot with a client waiting is the worst case. The AD800 Pro's battery pack is big. Godox claims 450 full-power flashes, and in my experience that holds up. I've done full-day shoots, from dawn in Brooklyn Bridge Park to dusk on the Lower East Side, and never swapped the battery. That means no spare packs in the bag, and I can watch the model instead of the battery indicator. A typical NYC shoot has multiple locations, quick changes and delays, so this matters.
Working with the rest of my Godox kit
I've used the Godox system for years because everything talks to everything else. The AD800 Pro works with my Godox X-Pro trigger, my AD200s and my V860II speedlights. I control all of them from one trigger on the camera, adjusting power, groups and modeling lamps.
With an AD800 Pro as the key light and an AD200 as a hair light or background accent in a gritty alley in Bushwick, I can change settings without walking to each strobe.
Street scenarios
Overpowering midday sun
Say we're on the High Line in bright sun with harsh shadows. The ambient light gives my model raccoon eyes and blows out her highlights against the sky. I set the AD800 Pro to full power, often with a large parabolic modifier, and turn day into my own night. I lower the ambient exposure to bring back detail in the sky and background, and the strobe lights the subject. The image looks like it was shot in a studio. It works well for fashion editorials where detail and precise lighting matter.
Dim alleys and interiors
In a dim bar in the East Village or a shadowy corner of an industrial area in Long Island City, I bring the power down for soft, moody light that fits what's already there. Fast recycle times let me catch quick poses, and softboxes or beauty dishes refine the output. I've also used it off-camera to imitate window light in a dark brownstone interior.
Portraits against the skyline
One of my favorite uses is a portrait against the NYC skyline, from Brooklyn Bridge Park or from Liberty State Park looking at Manhattan. The AD800 Pro lets me expose the subject properly and still hold the background. With High-Speed Sync (HSS) I can use faster shutter speeds to freeze motion and wider apertures for bokeh, even in bright conditions. I no longer have to choose between a well-exposed model and a well-exposed background.
Why it stays in my kit
The Godox AD800 Pro solved the trade-off between power, portability and reliability for my NYC shoots. It's rugged enough for the street and powerful enough for any scenario I've faced, and it fits my workflow. It has worked across all five boroughs. If you're a serious photographer working in challenging light like New York's, I recommend the Godox AD800 Pro.
Full disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the link above.
To book a photoshoot, go to Dante's Models at dantet9.com. For photographers building their skills, our free tools are at dantet9.com/tools.
Cover photo by BruceEmmerling on Pixabay.
