Using flash

[planetc]

I have a club Christmas bash this evening and have no idea what the light will be like,so might be resorting to the use of flash. I have dug out my old 380ex but to be honest I have no experience of using flash seriously. Should I stick to P and let the camera figure it out for me? Any quick tips would be appreciated. One of my buddies has just bought himself a 100d and I'll be gutted if he takes better pictures than I do lol

[Nathaniel]

Re: Using flash

Don't know what camera you have got but I'd use auto ISo,autoWB,manual mode, AV around 5-5.6 & TV around 125 to 160- depending on the lens you have got. I will also review my pictures after each take. It is probably best to take sharp and in focus picture and ignore noise.

[planetc]

Re: Using flash

I'm OK with the camera itself Nat, as long as the light is good enough. I'm just lacking in flash related knowledge if it's not.

[Stan]

Re: Using flash

You will want the flash to act as a fill so probably best to shoot P and the flash set to ETTl

Review after each shot and adjust the flash exposure compensation as needed

Stan

[planetc]

Re: Using flash

Thanks Stan, I did a little reading and what you have said makes sense and fits with what I have learned so far.

[planetc]

Re: Using flash

Turns out that getting decent exposures wasn't so bad, focusing was a challenge though. The meal turned out to be in a really well lit room so an iso increase was all that was needed for portraits. I took a selection of group shots with different flash exposures so I can pick the best. The disco was a nightmare!

[PhotoStory]

Re: Using flash

I don't know if this is right, but what I've done is in the past is find my exposure without flash, drop it by 1/3-2/3 stops, set the flash to ETTL and alter the flash exposure compensation as appropriate.