Fill Flash Help

[Sxton04]

I have read the many comments on fill flash and have become confused with the varied answers. I would like to flush my brain and focus on my question. Subjects will be under a slatted pergola and will be affected with some light on their faces. Shooting from approx 20 ft; will be shooting outdoors at 3:00pm with sun coming from the side. Using Canon 40D with 580exII. Thanks in advance.

[thebrewer]

Just shoot how you normally would (AV,TV,M), meter as if you did not have a flash. The flash and camera will do the work.

[Sxton04]

Thanks, this is the type of answer I was hoping for. I have heard this before but other comments were clouding the issue; to many suggestions. Thanks again.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by thebrewer

Just shoot how you normally would (AV,TV,M), meter as if you did not have a flash. The flash and camera will do the work.

Indeed, the camera and flash will do the basics.

To influence them: use EC (exposure compensation, 'the big wheel' on your camera) to control the environment (minus = darker, plus = brighter) and use FEC (flash exposure compensation, 'the big wheel' on your flash) to control the fill light (minus = less fill, plus = more fill)

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[Sxton04]

Thanks Max. But wouldn't adjusting EC and FEC counteract?

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Sxton04

Thanks Max. But wouldn't adjusting EC and FEC counteract?

No, but you can make 'odd images' with them: in general, people do not want the 'fillflash' to be very noticeable: to make it less prominent, you could up the environment (EC plus)and down the fill (FEC minus).

But for a special effect you could also want a 'rabbit caught in the headlight' look: in that case, down the environment (EC minus) and up the fill (FEC plus)

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home