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    Fill flash and flash settings

    As I've mentioned a few times previously, I have a wedding to shoot early next month . I am hoping for a bright day but as we know, June doesn't always mean good light.

    I'm guessing that at some point I'll need to use an external flash camera mounted, certainly inside the church if that is allowed, but also outside to balance light and shade. Having never really used my flash gun at all, where do I start?

    As time will not be on my side I cannot try some test shots during the day to find the right manual settings for a given condition. So either Av or Tv, ideally Av to control the background focus.

    So, do I use E-TTL along with Tv mode set to the sync speed? Or can it be controlled in Av mode as well? Or do I ditch E-TTL and use a manual flash power? As you can tell, I am a real newbie at this and don't really know where to start.

    Peeps, anything you can suggest and explain as simple as possible will be greatly appreciated.

    The pressure is on and obviously do not want to screw up their day with badly lit shots. So to ease my pressure, I have passed it to you
    Alan.

    7D2, 24-105 L / 70-200 F2.8 ii L / 50 F1.8 prime / Sigma 10-20 F4-F5.6

    Website www.alanreeve.co.uk

    Please take a look https://www.flickr.com/photos/82149274@N07/sets & https://www.facebook.com/reevephotography

    #2
    Re: Fill flash and flash settings

    you won't be allowed to use flash in the church until the signing & walking down the isle

    as for settings I use AV as I wanted to control DoF and most of my outdoor shots all used fill in flash

    as for pressure ....yep, you'll be glad when its over
    :- Ian

    5D Mk III, 24-105 / 70-200 f2.8 L / 100-400 Mk II / 100 macro / 16-35 L / 11-24 L / 1.4 & 2x converters and a bad back carrying it all ;o)

    :- https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosespana/

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Fill flash and flash settings

      Originally posted by Tigger View Post
      you won't be allowed to use flash in the church until the signing & walking down the isle

      as for settings I use AV as I wanted to control DoF and most of my outdoor shots all used fill in flash

      as for pressure ....yep, you'll be glad when its over
      Thanks for your comments Ian. But what settings do I use on the camera and flash gun? Shutter? Power etc?
      Alan.

      7D2, 24-105 L / 70-200 F2.8 ii L / 50 F1.8 prime / Sigma 10-20 F4-F5.6

      Website www.alanreeve.co.uk

      Please take a look https://www.flickr.com/photos/82149274@N07/sets & https://www.facebook.com/reevephotography

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Fill flash and flash settings

        For your out door fill flash, you will want some way to diffuse the flash as not to create harsh face shadows or that deer in the headlights look.

        For outdoor, depending on the sun and how it is casting the shadow, have it behind the subject then using the fill flash. Try to avoid the combo of light and shade especially dappled light.

        Tom

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          #5
          Re: Fill flash and flash settings

          Originally posted by Parsen66 View Post
          Thanks for your comments Ian. But what settings do I use on the camera and flash gun? Shutter? Power etc?
          I've just had a look and most of mine were taken at 1/125 f11 - the power setting on the flash I adjust as needed, the closer to people the less power, groups increased
          :- Ian

          5D Mk III, 24-105 / 70-200 f2.8 L / 100-400 Mk II / 100 macro / 16-35 L / 11-24 L / 1.4 & 2x converters and a bad back carrying it all ;o)

          :- https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosespana/

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Fill flash and flash settings

            Originally posted by tesarver View Post
            For your out door fill flash, you will want some way to diffuse the flash as not to create harsh face shadows or that deer in the headlights look.

            For outdoor, depending on the sun and how it is casting the shadow, have it behind the subject then using the fill flash. Try to avoid the combo of light and shade especially dappled light.

            Tom
            Originally posted by Tigger View Post
            I've just had a look and most of mine were taken at 1/125 f11 - the power setting on the flash I adjust as needed, the closer to people the less power, groups increased
            Thanks for your imput guys, much appreciated as ever. Been playing with my flash and it does not support high speed sync so limited to 1/250, not ideal. Just ordered a newer version that does
            Alan.

            7D2, 24-105 L / 70-200 F2.8 ii L / 50 F1.8 prime / Sigma 10-20 F4-F5.6

            Website www.alanreeve.co.uk

            Please take a look https://www.flickr.com/photos/82149274@N07/sets & https://www.facebook.com/reevephotography

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Fill flash and flash settings

              lost me there why is 1/250 a problem ?
              :- Ian

              5D Mk III, 24-105 / 70-200 f2.8 L / 100-400 Mk II / 100 macro / 16-35 L / 11-24 L / 1.4 & 2x converters and a bad back carrying it all ;o)

              :- https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosespana/

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                Originally posted by Tigger View Post
                lost me there why is 1/250 a problem ?
                During my testing, shooting in Av with the flash set to E-TTL at F4 the shutter speed was 1/250 but it was flashing in the viewfinder. I've interpreted that as the shot will not be properly exposed because the flash can't sync any higher than 1/250. Am I right or wrong? The flash I've ordered will sync up 1/8000 in high speed sync mode. So in better light the shuttled speed will exceed 1/250 and for correct fill flash I'll need more than that.

                This is of course assuming I'm right lol
                Alan.

                7D2, 24-105 L / 70-200 F2.8 ii L / 50 F1.8 prime / Sigma 10-20 F4-F5.6

                Website www.alanreeve.co.uk

                Please take a look https://www.flickr.com/photos/82149274@N07/sets & https://www.facebook.com/reevephotography

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                  I'm no flash expert, heck I haven't used the flash since the wedding, but I had the camera on AV, turned the flash on and the flash adjusted the speed to /125 and I used F11 - all the photos came out fine and it was a bright sunny day
                  :- Ian

                  5D Mk III, 24-105 / 70-200 f2.8 L / 100-400 Mk II / 100 macro / 16-35 L / 11-24 L / 1.4 & 2x converters and a bad back carrying it all ;o)

                  :- https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosespana/

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                    Originally posted by Tigger View Post
                    I'm no flash expert, heck I haven't used the flash since the wedding, but I had the camera on AV, turned the flash on and the flash adjusted the speed to /125 and I used F11 - all the photos came out fine and it was a bright sunny day
                    Hmmm and was the flash set to TTL? We need help from someone that knows mate.....no offence
                    Alan.

                    7D2, 24-105 L / 70-200 F2.8 ii L / 50 F1.8 prime / Sigma 10-20 F4-F5.6

                    Website www.alanreeve.co.uk

                    Please take a look https://www.flickr.com/photos/82149274@N07/sets & https://www.facebook.com/reevephotography

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                      yep ...1/200 f11 iso 100 - full bright sun, had I not used flash I would have had heavy shadow across the faces


                      :- Ian

                      5D Mk III, 24-105 / 70-200 f2.8 L / 100-400 Mk II / 100 macro / 16-35 L / 11-24 L / 1.4 & 2x converters and a bad back carrying it all ;o)

                      :- https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosespana/

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                        Hmmmm wonder why the 1/250 was blinking then?
                        Alan.

                        7D2, 24-105 L / 70-200 F2.8 ii L / 50 F1.8 prime / Sigma 10-20 F4-F5.6

                        Website www.alanreeve.co.uk

                        Please take a look https://www.flickr.com/photos/82149274@N07/sets & https://www.facebook.com/reevephotography

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                          I used aperture priority....making sure the shutter speed didn't exceed 1/250 (in fact I think I set that as a max in the menu)....then set the flash to TTL and add or reduce output to suit.
                          Otherwise I set manual exposure with 180 sec and set the flash on manual and just adjusted its output to suit. That works great providing you have fairly constant light.
                          If outside if you can find a bright background -or even the sky...expose for the background in manual....and set manual flash to expose the subject which looks great.
                          The Church I shot at allowed flash for the bride entering and walking up the isle, first kiss and register.....but not during the vows part.
                          Brian Vickers LRPS

                          brianvickersphotography.com

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                            I have a good book which covers the RPS course I did...Im away until Friday but i could forward the details.
                            Id recommend going on the course....this is the one I did...
                            Brian Vickers LRPS

                            brianvickersphotography.com

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Fill flash and flash settings

                              If you are blinking at 1/250, then you have reached the max sync speed for the camera and it's telling you that the exposure is not correct. Normally, I setup the Highspeed Sync in the camera menu for the external flash control and not on the flash itself.

                              Tom

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