Tips for Christmas Day? My family expects!

[paulhillion]

As usual on Christmas Day all the family will be gathered & as I'm considered by my Aunts & Uncles as a 'professional photographer' with 'that' camera it'll be me taking various shots of a multitued of family combinations. I intend to have with me of course my 20D with the 17-40L attached topped off with the 420EX & my new omni-bounce thing (if you think I need it?)

Any advice or tips on what settings I might use would be most welcome. In the afternoon I'll be shooting indoors with a nice white ceiling & a good amount of window natural light. That evening I'll be in a fairly dark room with dark walls & ceilings. For the evening shots I could pop on the 50mm 1.4 or even my Tamron 28-75 2.8?

Happy Christmas to one and all, can I just take this opportunity to thank the people responsible for this forum for all their hard work and also to all you guys for all the fantastic advice you provide.

Cheers!

PS. I treated myself to a lovely new 'Gitzo' carbon fibre monopod today - I can highly recommend it, fantastic piece of kit! I'm tempted to trade in my Manfrotto tripod & go with a carbon Gitzo!

[sGu]

ceiling bounce would give very nice look to your image, if you have large group of people in shot, i say stick with 17-40mm at all times. You'll find flash give you quite good results even in dark rooms.

Also you don't wanna use large aperture if you want everyone in shot to be sharp.

One thing i'd highly recommend you to get is Canon off camera shoe cord 2, that way you have more control of light direction, and allow you to be creative ;)

[paulhillion]

Also you don't wanna use large aperture if you want everyone in shot to be sharp.
Maybe f8?

One thing i'd highly recommend you to get is Canon off camera shoe cord 2, that way you have more control of light direction, and allow you to be creative ;)
Just when my wallet thought it was safe! ;-)

[paulhillion]

One thing i'd highly recommend you to get is Canon off camera shoe cord 2, that way you have more control of light direction, and allow you to be creative ;)
Can you recommend one or provide a link so I know what sort of thing to maybe order?

Cheers!

[sGu]

Here is the link (http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatItemDetail&ac.item.itemNo=321-663K&ac.cat.CatTreeSearch.detail=y&type=SPDSEARCH) to what it looks like, you can also get it from warehouseexpress.co.uk.

This is also the only cord allows ETTL/ETTL II to be off camera. Basically you can either mount your flash on a monopod/tripod or handheld, point at any direction you like while taking a photo.

F8 should be fine, considering they won't be too far away from each other.

Wallets are never safe for photographers ... never ...

[paulhillion]

Couldn't get the link to work, I'll have a look at warehouse. What better to do when past midnight then shop for camera gear!

[sGu]

What better to do when past midnight then shop for camera gear!

Spend time on POTN, posting away!

If you go to www.calumetphoto.com or maybe even Jessops, search for "off shoe camera cord", this would be the only result. On warehouseexpress, you'll probably have to look under flash then flash accessories for it, but it's definitely there :D

Sorry Paul, if this lowers your account balance even more :p

[Groundworxs]

I would consider playing with a few settings over the next couple of nights. I agree use the bounce and do you use the omni it gives a nice light spread. Try setting your flash to go off one stop under your aperture so it does not over power your scene. Also try the flash set to manual but zoom the flash out beyond your max focal length. If you are using the 17-40 zoom the flash out to beyond 40 this creates a nice light fall loff. Frame your subjects by placing something of interest in the foreground of your view finder. This will create tension and depth. Relax enjoy and capture the moment.

Happy and safe Holidays to all!

[paulhillion]

Spend time on POTN, posting away!

If you go to www.calumetphoto.com or maybe even Jessops, search for "off shoe camera cord", this would be the only result. On warehouseexpress, you'll probably have to look under flash then flash accessories for it, but it's definitely there :D

Sorry Paul, if this lowers your account balance even more :p
Sorted! Got one on eBay - thanks!

[phili1]

Go to custom functions set AV flash to 1/250 set you aperature to F5.6, put your omni bounce on slightly tilted up shoot 1 picture review it if it is to dark set your flsh EV - 1 stop. Thaty should do you for most of youre shots and give you good DOF. Bring batteries becuase that will eat up batteries.

[scottbergerphoto]

I like to include some ambient light in my indoor flash shots so I do the following:

1: Camera in Manual Mode, t=1/60 to get ambient light but not so slow as to get camera shake, f/8 for good dof
2. Flash in ETTLII, tilted up at ~60 degrees to a white ceiling.
3. Check the histogram and dial in FEC as needed.

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837).jpg

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834).jpg

Happy Holidays,
Scott:)

[phili1]

I use that to Scott, nice pictures.

[psk4363]

Best tip? Stay as sober as you can!

Merry Xmas,
Barry

[charlesu]

I have an off-shoe cord but have heard they have high failure rates. Just keep an eye on the results. I haven't had mine fail but it doesn't get overused, either. Also consider the STE-2 which lets you go off-shoe wirelessly and can control multiple flashes. It's very cool and no worry about wire length or high failure rates.

[charlesu]

I like to include some ambient light in my indoor flash shots so I do the following:

1: Camera in Manual Mode, t=1/60 to get ambient light but not so slow as to get camera shake, f/8 for good dof
2. Flash in ETTLII, tilted up at ~60 degrees to a white ceiling.
3. Check the histogram and dial in FEC as needed.

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837).jpg



http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834).jpg

Happy Holidays,
Scott:)

Good advice Scott.

[paulhillion]

Best tip? Stay as sober as you can!

Merry Xmas,
Barry
Actually I've just been doing a rough calculation on how much I've spent on camera gear over the last year! Just in the last week I've aquired a 70-200 2.8L, a 20D grip, a 2Gb CF card & a Gitzo carbon fibre monopod - I think I need a drink!

Thanks Scott for your advice, I'll probably end up going with that kind of setup.

Have a great day tomorrow everyone, whatever you're doing.

[markubig]

I like to include some ambient light in my indoor flash shots so I do the following:

1: Camera in Manual Mode, t=1/60 to get ambient light but not so slow as to get camera shake, f/8 for good dof
2. Flash in ETTLII, tilted up at ~60 degrees to a white ceiling.
3. Check the histogram and dial in FEC as needed.

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837).jpg

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834).jpg

Happy Holidays,
Scott:)
Hey Scott -

How would you recommend I do this with my 300d and 420 ex, where I do not have any FEC at all. Right now, I can't afford a 550/580 and I'm still iffy about trying to do the firmware hack.

what I have been doing is getting the pics exposed as best I can, and then using PSE3.0 to fix them. The time in post-processing is killing me though . . .

Thanks!

[triangle]

Originally Posted by scottbergerphoto
I like to include some ambient light in my indoor flash shots so I do the following:

1: Camera in Manual Mode, t=1/60 to get ambient light but not so slow as to get camera shake, f/8 for good dof
2. Flash in ETTLII, tilted up at ~60 degrees to a white ceiling.
3. Check the histogram and dial in FEC as needed.

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802837).jpg

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834 (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/37802834).jpg

Happy Holidays,
Scott:)

Scott, what lens did you use for these shots? Also, where can I find your tutorials on flash? I saw a suggestion to go there from another post. (Just got my 580 today! - oh yea:cool: )


Thanks, Happy Holidays to all!
:D

[scottbergerphoto]

Hey Scott -

How would you recommend I do this with my 300d and 420 ex, where I do not have any FEC at all. Right now, I can't afford a 550/580 and I'm still iffy about trying to do the firmware hack.

what I have been doing is getting the pics exposed as best I can, and then using PSE3.0 to fix them. The time in post-processing is killing me though . . .

Thanks!As you don't have any FEC on the 300D or 420EX, and you don't have Manual Mode on the 420EX, you don't have many options. Just try to avoid major no-no's like trying to go beyond the reach of the 420EX, or bouncing off too high a ceiling, or using too low an ISO. Unfortunately, post processing is your only savior. Shoot Raw to get the most from exposure correction.
Regards,
Scott

[scottbergerphoto]

Scott, what lens did you use for these shots? Also, where can I find your tutorials on flash? I saw a suggestion to go there from another post. (Just got my 580 today! - oh yea:cool: )


Thanks, Happy Holidays to all!
:DI used my favorite people lens, the Canon 24-70 f/2.8, with my 1D Mark II.
You can find the flash info in the EOS Flash Sticky at the top of the EOS Digital Cameras Forum.
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46599
Regards,
Scott

[brunzie]

I like to shoot manual on my flashes. If I had the rebel and a 420, I would shoot as Scott recommended at 1/60 F8. I would stay away from bounce on large groups and go direct or put on an omnibounce. I like to plug my camera into the TV and let everyone look at them. If they are dark, go to f5.6 or move up your ASA . Start at ASA 200 and if they are dark(see histogram), go to 400 or 800. These pictures should be fine for up to 8x10s at ASA 800 if you need it. I've shot groups of 25 with the built in flash that were perfectly exposed at ASA 400 on a 17-40 mm lens so the 420 ex should work fine. Don't go less than F5.6 on groups or you may lose your depth of field. Individuals may be shot at wider f stops.

[paulhillion]

Well the big day is now over & apart from the batteries running out in my 420EX (good old Mum came to the rescue!) all went well & everybody has gone to bed happy & content. Just thought I'd share this photo with you as I was quite pleased with the way it turned out, the room was very dark & so I think the 20D/17-40L/420ex handled the job quite well, taken at 1/40 sec f8 & ISO 1600, I only had one chance to take it as everybody wanted to get on with the eating & drinking!

http://photobucket.com/albums/v116/hillion/?action=view&current=IMG_1779.jpg

Hope everybody had a good as day as I've had, all the best for a hopefully perfectly exposed 2005!

[triangle]

Well I am extremly pleased with the advice given here and with my new 580EX, this made for some of the best pictures I have taken since purchasing my DRebel about 2 1/2 months ago. I hope everyone's holiday shooting was as successful as mine. Thank you very much for the advice and for these forums, I have learned so much in the past 2 weeks. I am quickly advancing in my photographing skills thanks to these forums and everyone's willingness to train up newbies such as myself. I am including a few shots with the settings I used, I would welcome input. I also have one question and would like your response Scott.

Originally Posted by scottbergerphoto
I like to include some ambient light in my indoor flash shots so I do the following:

1: Camera in Manual Mode, t=1/60 to get ambient light but not so slow as to get camera shake, f/8 for good dof
2. Flash in ETTLII, tilted up at ~60 degrees to a white ceiling.
3. Check the histogram and dial in FEC as needed. When I tried the f/8 as suggested I was not happy with the results, so I bumped it down to 5.6-4.0 throughout the Christmas Eve & Day. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong to not acheive the results you had suggested or was the lighting maybe I was in? Please critique the following pictures any input will be appreciated. :D


f/4.0, 1/60 , 100 ISO, AWB, 580EX Flash bounce, 70-300mm Lens


http://www.trianglephotography.com/events/personal/les.jpg



f/5.6, 1/60 , 200 ISO, AWB, 580EX Flash bounce, 18-55mm Lens


http://www.trianglephotography.com/events/personal/group.jpg

AE MODE, f/5.0, 1/60 , 100 ISO, AWB, 580EX Flash bounce, 70-300mm Lens, Exposure Compensation -2/3

http://www.trianglephotography.com/events/personal/girls.jpg

[WestFalcon]

Your last shot lacks depth of field. You should have shot that one at f8 or f11 and chnged your ASA to 800 to get adequate power if you bounced it. Try to get at an angle so all faces are equal distance to the flash. That last shot is tough for even the most experienced photographers. Good luck. Brian

[markubig]

When I tried the f/8 as suggested I was not happy with the results, so I bumped it down to 5.6-4.0 throughout the Christmas Eve & Day. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong to not acheive the results you had suggested or was the lighting maybe I was in? Please critique the following pictures any input will be appreciated. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/santa/icon_biggrin.gif
I had similar problems like you have in the last picture (two in focus and one blurred). It looks like your depth of field is too shallow. f8 or even f11 might have been you a deeper DOF to get everyone in focus. Otherwise, they looked like good pictures.


1: Camera in Manual Mode, t=1/60 to get ambient light but not so slow as to get camera shake, f/8 for good dof
2. Flash in ETTLII, tilted up at ~60 degrees to a white ceiling.
3. Check the histogram and dial in FEC as needed.

I shot at f/8 and 1/60 - 1/125 most of the day yesterday. Thanks, Scott for helping me in time to get some good shots. I did need some post-processing, but i didn't have any problems with camera shake, subject/motion blur, or DOF.

[triangle]

Thanks for the quick responses. I do see the dof problem and realize what you are saying about bumping up my f stop when I have multiple subjects in a row such as that. (Makes mental note;) ) I thought that it made for a unique picture but comments from the family was that the two sisters behind the first were out of focus.

Originally Posted by WestFalcon

Your last shot lacks depth of field. You should have shot that one at f8 or f11 and chnged your ASA to 800 to get adequate power if you bounced it. Try to get at an angle so all faces are equal distance to the flash. That last shot is tough for even the most experienced photographers. Good luck. I have a question about running the ISO up that high, I shoot alot of sports and do it most of the time at 1600. The grain gets to be an issue sometimes at this range and I did not want any grain to be in our personal pics. What is the safest and most effective ISO setting for indoor shooting, in a fairly lit room with using bounce flash for fill before getting grainy? To me 800 sounds a bit high, but maybe I am mistaken. Can you post an example of some indoor poratrait shots indoors using flash with 800 ISO? Thanks