Fast aperture + sunlight + flash?

[DocFrankenstein]

When I shot my gf, I wanted a shallow DOF in some shots. I also wanted the fill in flash.

I couldn't do it. :? At fast apertures, the shutter speed is too high to sync with the flash. If stop down the lens, I won't get the DOF I want.

How do u shoot like that? I can see either using an ND filter or a reflector.

Any other techniques?

[Scottes]

With a different flash, I'd guess. The 420, 550 and 580 EX all support "Hi-Speed Synch" where the flash puts out multiple, low-intensity flashes. These flashes are synched in a way to completely exposed the sensor when the shutter is too fast for normal synch.

I don't think the 285 can do this.

[Persian-Rice]

It's called a neutral density filter.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I assume you have allready dropped the ISO down to your lowest setting?

[CyberDyneSystems]

It's called a neutral density filter.

The Good Doctor mentions ND.. then asks if there are any other techniques.. :)

[Persian-Rice]

It's called a neutral density filter.

The Good Doctor mentions ND.. then asks if there are any other techniques.. :)

Oops missed that last bit. Eitherway, a ND fliter will help

[Vegas Poboy]

The flash you have is fine, give more detail on camera settings, time of day and position of the sun. It will be easier to trouble shoot.
Are you looking for fill flash look sett the camera or flash 1 1/2 stops less than the ambient lighting. to start.

[snibbetsj]

Instead of using a flash, why don't you use some continuous lighting to fill-in her face. If the sun is bright, something like a simple krypton light available at Wal-Mart might be the answer.

Jeff Stebbins

[jcsorensen]

You could also use a reflector as simple as a large piece of foam board or one of those silver shades people put in their windshields to reflect the hot sun out of their parked cars. Use the reflector to fill the shadows--no guess work because you are seeing the immediate results of the reflected light.

[DocFrankenstein]

With a different flash, I'd guess. The 420, 550 and 580 EX all support "Hi-Speed Synch" where the flash puts out multiple, low-intensity flashes. These flashes are synched in a way to completely exposed the sensor when the shutter is too fast for normal synch.
DOH! So that what the high speed sync is! Should've done more recearch before buying a flash. :?

I don't think the 285 can do this.
It can't :(

I assume you have allready dropped the ISO down to your lowest setting?
Yes.

The flash you have is fine, give more detail on camera settings, time of day and position of the sun. It will be easier to trouble shoot.
Are you looking for fill flash look sett the camera or flash 1 1/2 stops less than the ambient lighting. to start.
It wasn't anything important. I just took her to the park and shot.

It was almost sunset. Around 5:30... so the sun was yellow and fell on the subject directly. I was using 50mm/1.8 and I wanted the minimum DOF... but ran into this problem. ISO 100, underexposed by 2/3 of a stop... aperture priority.

Yeah... I guess a reflector would be easiest. The problem is, I was intrested in testing the 50/1.8 instead of making a portrait. But I definitely didn't expect to run into that problem.

I guess next time I'll have to hire my little bro to hold a reflector. :shock:

[Vegas Poboy]

One question I forgot to ask you, what settings are you using on flash? If I remember right keep your camera on Manual for the dof & adjust your flash to manual and make your adjustment according to your guide # on the flash. The flash is good I know a few Pro's who still uses it for day to day jobs.

[Adam Hicks]

I really like the reflectors for this (although I've only needed mine a few times.) I have the 22" collapsable photoflex disk that's silver on one side and gold on the other. I think it was something like $30-$40 but it feels really well made and the material is super reflective, while being very soft and easy to collapse into it's carrying case.

Of course you could go to Wal Mart and buy a silver sunshade for your car and it'll do the same thing!

Adam