Fill flash correct exposure

[yarnos]

Okay i want to enchance my images to ensure i get correct exposure using my 580ex flash outdoors on a sunny day.

Setting up Ambient exposure

The first thing i do is set my camera to M mode then drop down to ISO 100 and set my speed to 1/250s then aim at the sky and take an image look at my histogram and reduce(adjust) my aperture (f8,f9,f10 etc...) as i check my histogram to correctly expose the sky

Now its time to set up my flash exposure this is where i need some advise :oops:?

How do i setup my flash settings ?

How do i take shallow depth of field images using the fill flash? my understanding is that you need to increase (adjust) the aperture (f5.6,f4.0,f3.5,f2.8 etc...) but doing this will overexpose the image...

Can i please get some basic clarification?

cheers

[Rudeofus]

Now its time to set up my flash exposure this is where i need some advise :oops:?How do i setup my flash settings ?

Why don't you try auto settings (E-TTL) and go from there? If the results are not what you like, you can use FEC to alter flash output.

How do i take shallow depth of field images using the fill flash? my understanding is that you need to increase (adjust) the aperture (f5.6,f4.0,f3.5,f2.8 etc...) but doing this will overexpose the image...
Use high speed mode for this (called either HSS or FP mode)

Can i please get some basic clarification?
That's what a manual is for. All the things I mentioned above are described in great detail there ;)

[bagtagsell]

If you are getting f/8 at sync speed at iso 100 a flash wont help you get lower DOF. The flash will only bring up subject to f/8.

[Curtis N]

You're on the right track putting the camera in M mode to adjust the ambient exposure. If you're metering the sky, you probably want to keep the histogram spike near the right edge to make the rest of the background realistic.

Then put your flash in E-TTL mode, start with FEC at 0 and go from there. Test, chimp and adjust FEC as needed.How do i take shallow depth of field images using the fill flash?Enable FP Flash (high speed sync) on the flash, then open your aperture to get the shallow DOF and speed up the shutter to expose the background as before. Pay attention to the distance scale on the flash unit, since your range will be limited.

[Just Be]

Would it be necessary to change the metering mode? To what?

[Curtis N]

Would it be necessary to change the metering mode? To what?First, keep in mind there are two separate metering modes to consider. One for the ambient, and one for the flash.

For the ambient, choose your weapon. If you fill the frame with sky, it doesn't matter. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but simply understanding the different metering modes and choosing the one that fits what you're trying to do. It's a personal preference thing.

As for the flash, there is Evaluative or Average E-TTL mode, which you choose via custom function on the camera. Outdoors with distant backgrounds I highly recommend Evaluative E-TTL mode. Of course you can use Flash Exposure Lock if you choose, which is like spot metering the flash exposure.