First Time Using Off Camera Flash

[JimH]

Originally Posted by BeckyC

I metered the ambient with my meter on ambient mode and the shutter speed at (a too slow) 1/125. The meter gave me an ambient reading of f/8. Next I changed my meter to flash mode, kept it at 1/125 but what should my goal have been for the f/stop? I believe I ended up at f/11 but adjusting the flash output.

Following the rule of 1 to 1 1/2 stops, you were on the right track (and metering correctly too).

After making the exposure, chimp the image and the histogram for confirmation, then decide if you need to stop down the flash. If you have your flash set to do 1/3 stops instead of half, I would meter 2/3 of a stop or f/14 in your scenario. If the exposure goes to far into the shadows, split the difference with a 1/3 stop or f/13.

I too thought the faces might have been just a tad to bright - but these are certainly keepers!

[Not4wood]

Did you use a difusere over the Flash as well?

If you did, you might have to compensate a bit as well. Play it by ear and like what was mentioned, you must keep an eye on the histogram to make sure your exposing correctly. I think the correct phrase is "Expose to the Right".

[BeckyC]

Thanks Jim. I get what you're saying, but I printed your tips so I won't forget. And knowing that I was on the right track helps a lot. I wasn't keeping an eye on the histogram. I always forget that when I'm working with small children.

[BeckyC]

Mark,
I was using a shoot thru umbrella.

[billgovier]

I've had good luck with off camera flash withe the flash on ETTL and the camera on manual.
As long as you don't exceed the flash sync shutter speed, you are OK.
The aperture is what the flash on ETTL "cares"about.
You could have used f11 at 1/160th or so on the camera and left the Canon flash on ETTL, as long as you have the off camera cord.

But flash meters are good or better.
It's good to know both ways so that you are ready if all you have is your camera and flash and no flash meter.

Practice, practice, and read that exif data so you know what you did!

[patterfr]

You'd have to look up the whole description, but it's the electronic shutter and has to do with max sync speed.shutter can't close and open faster than that(oversimplified)....but in this particular series then, I was wondering how one would go about a faster than 250 shutter speed using off camera flash, is that even possible?. I mean without closing down aperture or lower ISO?

[billgovier]

http://dptnt.com/2007/10/flash-sync-speed/

Check it out!

[BeckyC]

Bill,
I'm using pocket wizards. Do they work with ETTL?

[billgovier]

Originally Posted by BeckyC

Bill,
I'm using pocket wizards. Do they work with ETTL?

NO, BACK TO THE FLASH METER!
That's not a bad thing.
The camera makers have done a great job on flash, and multiple flash, off camera flash, especially Nikon, (I shoot with Canon right now, but have used both), but all the pro's use a flash meter/ambient meter.
I got out of the business end, but still play. It's too much fun to give it up all together.
Bill

[BeckyC]

I know what you mean about it being too much fun to give up. I work full time in as an office manager for an oncology group. But my true love is photography. I usually have a shoot every weekend. I just always feel like I have so much to learn.

[KellyL]

Becky,

I think overall you did a nice job, but something is off about the exposures, as has been mentioned. Your images are tack sharp, for that you should be proud, but the first one looks too flat...not flat lit, mind you, but I lose a sense of depth with the background. I know that someone here has addressed that issue, but my mind gets all messed up when I think about more light, less light, wider aperture, less aperture, stepping up and stepping down. Sometimes it is crystal clear and sometimes it is looking at a crystal ball full of mud.

[BeckyC]

Kelly,
I think I know what you mean. They almost look they are sitting in front of a scenic backdrop. They look 3D but the background looks flat.

[JimH]

Originally Posted by Not4wood

Did you use a difusere over the Flash as well? If you did, you might have to compensate a bit as well.

If you are using a flash meter it will give you an accurate reading for diffuser or other modifiers like your umbrellas or softboxes. As you have already done. set the meter to the shutter speed and adjust the manual intensity of the flash unit until you get the desired f/stop.

Originally Posted by Not4wood

you must keep an eye on the histogram to make sure your exposing correctly. I think the correct phrase is "Expose to the Right".

I would agree with this advice provided you are using a calibration target, know how to set your camera to use an image from said target for custom WB (& exposure via histogram) and favor highlights.

[Rodeoshooter]

Originally Posted by BeckyC

Mark,
I know Strobist very well. It's a great site. But since David Hobby never seems to use a flash meter, I still need help. I guess where I get lost is when it comes to metering ambient, then knowing exactly where my flash settings should be. For instance, with these group images I metered the ambient with my meter on ambient mode and the shutter speed at (a too slow) 1/125. The meter gave me an ambient reading of f/8. Next I changed my meter to flash mode, kept it at 1/125 but what should my goal have been for the f/stop? I believe I ended up at f/11 but adjusting the flash output.

Becky,

If you have enough flash power you can use 1/8th of a second for your exposure. Remember the shutter speed controls the ambient light and the flash controls the aperture. This can be adjusted by increasing the f-stop (stopping down) and slowing the shutter speed to adapt to the stopped down f-stop. So if you have a daylight scene that is 1/250th of a second at f-8 you could go to f-11 at 1/125th of a second and get the same results. You just need the additional power to boost the f-stop to compensate for the for the slower shutter speed. Additionally, if you can go faster than 1/250th of a second you can go a more wide open f-stop which requires less power from the flash. Sounds confusing but it works the same as the f-stop shutter combination for any exposure. Just need to figure out how to meter the flash.

Really simple concept to put into action with awesome results. The best part is you won't have the ETTL exposure problems when metering black or white objects. The camera is not thinking for you. You are actually doing photography on your own.

As far as the comment by one of the guys about the ETTL shutter speeds, the top of the line Canon cameras will for the most part sync at any shutter speed the camera has if the Canon flash is used. For example my EOS 1D will sync at 1/16,000ths (16 thousands of a second) with the 430, 550 or the 580 flash. Which allows you the freedom to do anything you want.

[BeckyC]

Thanks so very much. You guys are awesome!!!

[k9ofkaos]

Well after reading all that, you got some great tips.

I was going to comment about how great these images looked, especially if it was your first time using off camera flash. I'm really looking forward to seeing more.

[BeckyC]

Thanks Mojo!!! I'm doing an outdoor engagement session this weekend. I'll post the results. I'm going to try to follow the tips I've received here.

[JimH]

Originally Posted by BeckyC

I'm doing an outdoor engagement session this weekend. I'll post the results. I'm going to try to follow the tips I've received here.

Any way to drag the kids into the backyard or something and try them out beforehand? Getting through a session and trying to remember something not quite familiar could lead to errors. (not that I would know first hand or anything )

[billgovier]

Chimp your pics, even with a light meter. The histogram is not perfect as it is taken from the .jpeg but it is helpfull. (You shoot RAW, I hope).
You can cure many ills if you shoot RAW, but try to get it right in camera!

Bill

[BeckyC]

Jim,
Yeah, I can get them out for some practice. It's my nephew and his fiancee. They are at my mercy. I'm doing it for free and for practice.

Bill,
I ALWAYS shoot RAW, but I'm not a big fan of editing, so I want to get it as close to perfect as possible in camera.