Please could you help me re exposure?

[CharlotteA]

Hi all,

I'm new :)

Wonder if you could help me out here...

I'm using a Canon 20d. I have a 580EX flash. I want to take a photograph into the light, but I want both the subject and the background properly exposed. I'm guessing I use fill in flash for this...

Thing is, I don't actually *know* what settings to use on my camera or my flash.

If I dont use flash and I shoot into the light I usually use exposure compensation and manage to get the subject properly exposed, but the background is always over exposed.

Please could someone explain in baby language *how* you expose for both? I'd be really really grateful.

Thanks
Charlotte

[BestVisuals]

There's really nothing you need to do. I regularly use ETTL flash outdoors with no modifications and get great fill light.

If, however, you find the background is overexposed, you merely change the ambient exposure bias using the big wheel on the back of the camera. This will not change the flash fill at all.

If you do want to change the flash fill amount, there is a special button on the top of the camera that alters the flash amount only - you'll see a lightning bolt on the LCD screen when you've made modifications.

This can get to be a detailed discussion, so feel free to PM me and I'll send you my phone number for you to call me if you like.

Note that when indoors, I suggest you change custom function 14 to get better flash exposure. I can tell you about that as well if you choose to PM me.

[CharlotteA]

.. Thank you... what if I *don't* want to use flash - how would I do it then?!

Many thanks, I'm sorry for such basic questions.
Charlotte

[BestVisuals]

The ambient exposure control (the big wheel on the back of the camera) controls the amount of exposure you want. The ambient exposure control is totally independent from the flash control, so it's the same.

By the way, I sent you a message reply.

[cosworth]

Stick your camera in M mode and meter for the background. Set the flash to ETTL and shoot. You'll be suprised at how nice the shot looks.

[CharlotteA]

Sorry, I shall reply to you now :) x

The ambient exposure control (the big wheel on the back of the camera) controls the amount of exposure you want. The ambient exposure control is totally independent from the flash control, so it's the same.

By the way, I sent you a message reply.

[CharlotteA]

I've just had a play with it :)

I did two things:

Firstly, I took a regular shot - using my husband as a model sitting against a window. Obviously he was a sillhouette.

Then, without flash, I upped the exposure compensation and took a shot - he was then exposed correctly, but the background was blown out.

Then I used flash, and both the background and the subject were correctly exposed..

BUT, what if I didn't want to use flash at all? Is it possible to get both the subject and the background correctly exposed without using flash?




The ambient exposure control (the big wheel on the back of the camera) controls the amount of exposure you want. The ambient exposure control is totally independent from the flash control, so it's the same.

By the way, I sent you a message reply.

[CharlotteA]

Thank you :) I just tried that after your suggestion and it worked just right - both subject and background correctly exposed.... but if I didnt want to use flash at all, is it possible to get both subject and background correct exposed in that situation... ie when shooting into the light - subject against a window kind of thing?

Thanks ever so much for your help... :)

Charlotte

Stick your camera in M mode and meter for the background. Set the flash to ETTL and shoot. You'll be suprised at how nice the shot looks.

[cosworth]

BUT, what if I didn't want to use flash at all? Is it possible to get both the subject and the background correctly exposed without using flash?


Welcome to photography where we all want the impossible for $1.

The dynamic range of your eye and the camera are not the same. You will be using flash or light facing subjects.

[CharlotteA]

Thanks Cosworth :)

I appreciate your help - I was wondering if I was wanting the impossible!!

Many thanks - this place is great - I joined litereally about an hour ago and I've had such help already.

I hope to learn and then I can help others.

Charlotte x


Welcome to photography where we all want the impossible for $1.

The dynamic range of your eye and the camera are not the same. You will be using flash or light facing subjects.

[CharlotteA]

I've just looked at your site - you have some truly gorgeous images on there - wow!! :)


Welcome to photography where we all want the impossible for $1.

The dynamic range of your eye and the camera are not the same. You will be using flash or light facing subjects.

[Mark_Cohran]

Another tip - if you put your camera in Tv or Av mode, your flash will automatically act as a fill flash. If you have too much fill for your taste you can dial in some Flash Exposure Compensation (+) and if you have too little you can dial in negative FEC.

Mark