A flash turns a crowd into a living painting when it catches the right slice of light. I keep it simple: a handheld LED strobe on the back of my camera, set to high‑speed sync, with a wide‑angle lens. I shoot in RAW so I can push the contrast later. The flash should be a single burst that freezes the motion, letting the ambient light play in the shadows and give that raw, electric vibe you’re looking for.

Keep the flash at a moderate power, like 1/4 to 1/2 of the strobe’s max. That way you don’t wash out the crowd but still get that punchy burst. Use a shallow aperture—f/8 to f/11—so you can stay in focus on the people but still give some depth. And if the crowd starts moving too fast, bump the shutter to 1/200 or even 1/500; it freezes the motion and gives that crisp, electric feel. Remember to keep an eye on the battery—flashes eat juice fast—and have a spare pack on standby. Then just let the scene play out and capture the raw rush.