Any advice on how to master my 580EX????

[mycelestialdream]

I just received my new 580EX and am excited to know all about it. I looked throught the manual and it seems lacking to me. Of course im new to this so i need all the help i can get. Can anyone recommend any online sites or books that help you learn to get the most from your flash? Thanks!

[corinto]

Start here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907

[tim]

Specifically here: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46599

[corinto]

Well, I think that is a bit overwhelming for a starting point.

But, to each his own. :):):)

[SuzyView]

That 580EX manual is bigger than my 20D one. There is a lot to learn and the buttons mean something on the back of the flashes. To shoot better, got to do the time, especially with the lighting.

[nation]

Have a look at Curis' excellent primers on flash photography:

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=171657

[Curtis N]

Celestial Dream,

Successful flash photography requires a basic understanding of a few important concepts involving light, how the flash works, and how your camera meters separately for ambient light and flash. It can be enough to make your head spin at first.

The link Corinto provided (the EOS Flash sticky thread) contains some good reading. Start with Flash Photography 101, and when you have time, print out and digest the EOS Flash Bible. Links to both are in my signature. If you have specific questions from these documents, feel free to ask! :D

[SuzyView]

Great links, Curtis. You the man!

[AndersonPhotography]

The ETTL system is so good that as a beginner you don't have to overthink your approach too much. Just set your 20D on AV and the flash on ETTL and let the technology do the work. In the mode described above you can adjust the ambient lighht by adjusting your shutter speed and the flash will automatically adjust the flash exposure to balance out the fill. Then, when you get more comfortable and adventerous you can start dialing in your own adjustments. But I rarely have to make any adjustments to the flash itself because it gives me the look I want!

[subtle_spectre]

The best way to understand the 580, like so many other things, is to use it....a lot! Practice inside...outside, into the sun, away from the sun...push all the buttons and turn all the dials.

The, when you think you have all that down, get another one and start over with multiple flash units!

[AndersonPhotography]

The best way to understand the 580, like so many other things, is to use it....a lot! Practice inside...outside, into the sun, away from the sun...push all the buttons and turn all the dials.

The, when you think you have all that down, get another one and start over with multiple flash units!


This man speaks the truth!

[Curtis N]

Just set your 20D on AV and the flash on ETTL and let the technology do the work.Let's be careful with generalizations like this. It's not quite that simple.

Using Av mode indoors is just what a lot of people try to do, and they get horrendously long shutter speeds and then come here and ask for help.

Outdoors in the sun, Av mode with an aperture too wide can lead to terribly overexposed images when the flash slows down the shutter to 1/250.

Flash photography requires understanding why both of these scenarios won't work, so that you can figure out how to work around them.

[AndersonPhotography]

Let's be careful with generalizations like this. It's not quite that simple.

Using Av mode indoors is just what a lot of people try to do, and they get horrendously long shutter speeds and then come here and ask for help.

Outdoors in the sun, Av mode with an aperture too wide can lead to terribly overexposed images when the flash slows down the shutter to 1/250.

Flash photography requires understanding why both of these scenarios won't work, so that you can figure out how to work around them.

Im sorry I was also posting in another forum on a similar subject matter and that person was aking about shooting at sunset. In that case this technique works well...sorry for the confusion

[Curtis N]

I was also posting in another forumThere are other forums? ;)

[mycelestialdream]

Thanks to all of you guys....it seems eveyone requests the flash bible, I've got it taged in my favorites to go over....boy is it alot! I'll take curtis's advice and start with the 101 section. I've tested it indoors with the flash in Ettl and AV mode and my photo was completely washed out (flash pointed right at subject 2 feet away). When i bounced it off the ceiling, i got very nice results! I have alot of monkeying around to do! Thanks again to everyone! you guys are awesome.

[Curtis N]

I've tested it indoors with the flash in Ettl and AV mode and my photo was completely washed out (flash pointed right at subject 2 feet away). When i bounced it off the ceiling, i got very nice results!When you're really close, the flash unit's minimum power output may be too much depending on your aperture and ISO. Av may not be the best choice for indoor flash, because the camera will try to expose for ambient light.

Keep reading. It'll sink in eventually. :D

[Lord_Malone]

Here's a simple solution that I always recommend. It really helps you understand your flash and how to employ it. The import thing is that you understand your flash in order to master it. ;)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=414626&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Once you're done watching the video, then go and read the pages upon pages of the flash bible if you want.

[tim]

Well, I think that is a bit overwhelming for a starting point.

But, to each his own. :):):)

Sure, but you need to understand the camera, the flash, and light to use flash effectively. The book "understanding exposure" is also a must-read for anyone who doesn't understand light or exposure.

The best way to understand the 580, like so many other things, is to use it....a lot! Practice inside...outside, into the sun, away from the sun...push all the buttons and turn all the dials.

The, when you think you have all that down, get another one and start over with multiple flash units!

Yep, after you've read the flash bible and understanding exposure the practice will be all the more effective :) Because I understand the concepts I can use my gear in pretty much any situation even if i've not encountered it before. Plus i'm just damn good ;)

[lakiluno]

Another vote for Tim being Damn good!

[corinto]

I think better to start with more basic, smaller texts (like the very good Curtis's tutorials) so that he will be able to concentrate in what is imortant in the "Bible". This one is full of technicalities, very important in the long end but of lesser relevance and overwhelming to the beginner student (don`t I know!).