favorite flash setting

[zunimoon]

i'd like to get your input on your flash setting(s) when shooting weddings. i've shot a few weddings, but not many and i've always had my flash on E-TTL. i'm a novice when it comes to flashes, but my photos have come out satisfying to my eye, but i just thought i'd put the question out there to see if there's a "better" setting or just get your input on the other settings you use.

thanks,

[amonline]

Professional mode. :D

[tim]

Often just fill flash - FEC -1 or 0. Otherwise I run in master/slave mode, 1:4 ratio, FEC 1 set on camera body, flash zoomed to 50mm sometimes.

[Banbert]

Switched Off is my fave setting for the flash :)

We try and use refelctors instead where we can although sometimes its just not possible to do without flash unless you want big black eye sockets.

[s8langwo]

My general use for flash is outdoors as fill. I am usually at -1 FEC to get close to ambient. Find the high speed sync helps when shooting at larger apertures.

I don't often use flash during weddings and only when necessary at receptions.

Kevin

[JJacula]

I like to go with whatever works.

[zunimoon]

wow, thanks for all your feedback. i normally prefer shooting without a flash too. i like natural lighting as my main source, but at receptions when it's darker, that's when i use it.

i'm going to try the FEC -1 and see how that goes today.

[NathanJK]

I almost always shoot ettl. However, I'm going to experiment more with shooting with the flash on a manual power setting in the future.

[Big Mike]

I keep the flash in E-TTL but change the FEC all the time.

[jerrybsmith]

Set your camera to manual, shutter to 125, apature to 5.6, and the flash to ETTL, Adjust the ISO high enough to bring in ambient light to taste and you will get 95% of the shots you want. Lower the shotter speed below 60 to get a bit of motion during the dancing part or when the party heats up and it will add to the effect.

[zunimoon]

wow jerrybsmith, you've got me all excited. i have another wedding booked next saturday and i will definitely try this. thx!

[Mikester]

Jerrybsmith, I also like to use what you are talking about. Sometimes I go even slower shutter like 1/50 or even 1/40 (for the conga hee hee) and then I set my camera to fire the flash at the 2nd curtain. It has a nice motion blur and then the flash locks a nice clear subject at the end. It really looks cool. Not sure if the rebel can do that but it might.

[jerrybsmith]

I forgot the 2nd curtain part but that is an important one to show motion while freezing the action when the flash fires. I have mine set to that all the time and take it down to 1/15 often. As with any new setting, try them out first to make sure they are what you want. You don't want to experiment at the wedding.

[amonline]

Jerry, you have a great professional website. It's smooth, attractive, inviting and relaxing. I can see why you are successful. Very nice work. :)

[jerrybsmith]

Thanks Amonline!

[mezorn26]

Set your camera to manual, shutter to 125, apature to 5.6, and the flash to ETTL, Adjust the ISO high enough to bring in ambient light to taste and you will get 95% of the shots you want. Lower the shotter speed below 60 to get a bit of motion during the dancing part or when the party heats up and it will add to the effect.


you apply this philosophy to most of the ceremony/reception?

it seems you would be a getting a great deal of underexposed shots no?

[zunimoon]

what is the 2nd curtain and how do i see if my camera can do that...or is that something you set on the flash? :S

[Mikester]

Check your manual. My cameras have them on the parameters menu. Very fast to switch back and forth. I did a wedding tonight even and loved it. I brought the sutter way down and love the motion.

[zunimoon]

very cool! i'm glad i started this thread because i'm learning so much. do any of you have examples of photos using the 2nd curtain sync? i'd love to see them!

[Mikester]

Here is a dramatic example. 1/2 second. But for fun dances I love it.

[unqimg]

what is the 2nd curtain and how do i see if my camera can do that...or is that something you set on the flash? :S


You have a 350D and that does support 2nd curtain. However, make sure you also set your flash to 2nd curtain or it wont work. I see you use a 430EX. Read your manual as to how to set your flash to 2nd curtain sync and you can get that effect.

Jerry, was your settings you specified for indoors/outdoors or what? I have never heard anyone give off cam settings as a cureall for 95% of shots. Can you expand a bit more on what you are talking about?

Gwyne and Mark

[jerrybsmith]

you apply this philosophy to most of the ceremony/reception?

it seems you would be a getting a great deal of underexposed shots no?

I don't use these setting for the ceremony at all because I don't want to add blur to those images. I have Canon equipment so setting my 580EX to ETTL with these camera setting forces the flash to compensate for correct exposire. Adjusting the ISO to a higher number brings in ambient light and takes some of the work off the flash. I take a few practice shots and check the histogram to make sure the exposure is correct, then leave it alone. Like I said before, this setting adds a little motion blur which looks nice for the dance pictures. I don't recommend a low shutter speed if it's pictures of the couple and of people.

[mizuno]

'Off'.

[zunimoon]

unqimg, i checked my manual and it does have a custom function for the 2nd curtain, but i'll have to check my manual about how to set that on the flash.

mikester, thanks for posting the pic. i'm shooting a wedding this weekend and will try it out. :D

[nairud]

Regarding settings, i hope the question i'm about to ask fits this thread.

I'm having a wedding reception assignment soon in 1st January but that's the first one that i'll be shooting. When you guys talk about flash, what angle is your flash pointed to? 90? 75? 45? or direct flash? Any diffuser used?

If comparing both overseas and local styles in malaysia, let's have a look at AndyLim's (http://andylim.com/weddings/albums.php) site, what angle and flash settings do you think he's using?

I know in certain situations flash is not needed but inside the house itself, i think it's best to use flash. I wouldn't wanna get a bad rep for my first wedding shoot :P

[unqimg]

unqimg, i checked my manual and it does have a custom function for the 2nd curtain, but i'll have to check my manual about how to set that on the flash.


Actually, I had a 430 at my house and checked. There is a button, 3rd button-top row with the High Speed Sync lightning Bolt next to an H and then 3 Arrows that look like a fast forward you would see on a VCR. That button needs to be selected until you see the 3 arros appear on your LCD. Those arrows represent 2nd curtain sync. Easy Peasy!

[zunimoon]

thanks unqimg!

nairud, that's a good question too. let's see what response we get.

[mezorn26]

I don't use these setting for the ceremony at all because I don't want to add blur to those images. I have Canon equipment so setting my 580EX to ETTL with these camera setting forces the flash to compensate for correct exposire. Adjusting the ISO to a higher number brings in ambient light and takes some of the work off the flash. I take a few practice shots and check the histogram to make sure the exposure is correct, then leave it alone. Like I said before, this setting adds a little motion blur which looks nice for the dance pictures. I don't recommend a low shutter speed if it's pictures of the couple and of people.



WOW! The 580ex is that intuitive that it adjusts to the cameras settings?

Using my sigma 500 super it clearly did not. So in other words, it will properly fire the appropriate flash amount based upon the camera settings in ETTL II mode?

[mezorn26]

^^^