C&C Please: Balancing ambient exposure

[dshankar]

I'm having difficulties balancing the ambient light when I shoot facing the sun, or a bright sky.

For example, here's a set of shots from yesterday:

#1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2894328418_742548ca7c_b.jpg

#2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2893440875_1f23a925d4_b.jpg

#3 SETUP shot
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2893424693_50295fb990_o.jpg

Thoughts?

I was shooting in Manual, at f/5, 1/200th. To balance ambient, do I just need to use a smaller aperture, and increase flash power?

Strobist info:

Main flash: 580 EX II, 1/2 power, camera left.
Fill flash: 220 EX, 1/4 power, camera right.
Sun in the background, as ambient and rim light.
Both triggered via Pocket Wizard Plus IIs with Pocket Wizard Multimax on camera.

The rest of the pics can be found at: www.flickr.com/dshankar/

[leninglass]

#3 shot , Not to be harsh but I dont think you got that right. Try having the sun at 45 degrees from you and the flash 45 degrees to your left facing the model and the other at 45 degrees at the right facing model at half power.

[roentarre]

Yes, the last shot seems nicest of the lot. Great post

[breathless]

I was shooting in Manual, at f/5, 1/200th. To balance ambient, do I just need to use a smaller aperture, and increase flash power?

Balancing flash with ambient is a good technique to have under one's belt. When practicing certain techniques, try to keep the technical aspect as simple as possible, so that you can concentrate and understand the tests, more easily. I would suggest 1 flash off camera, 1/1, and manual camera settings to start.

Flash distance to subject is the only parameter which determines flash exposure(f/stop.) The ambient exposure, subject and background exposure, is controlled by time. Further research on "inverse square law" will help you understand more clearly on flash exposure.

Flash position(height and angle and distance) contributes much to the quality, mood, message, effect of the final image. With people, it's not often that the flash come from below(photo #1, #3), unless to achieve a special effect. For normal people pictures, the flash will be somewhat higher than the face. Research "classic portrait lighting patterns" to learn more on that topic.

photo #2 feels very comfortable, acceptable, non-technical. But, it seems from your question, you're looking to achieve some detail in the sky(?) If so, the simple answer is more flash power, less time.

Much luck and have fun! :)

[dshankar]

#3 shot , Not to be harsh but I dont think you got that right. Try having the sun at 45 degrees from you and the flash 45 degrees to your left facing the model and the other at 45 degrees at the right facing model at half power.

#3 was just to show my setup. And it turned out funny with the hair ;)
The rest of the shots were exactly like you said: Sun 45 degrees (approx), 45 degrees to right and left were two flashes.

I was shooting in Manual, at f/5, 1/200th. To balance ambient, do I just need to use a smaller aperture, and increase flash power?

Balancing flash with ambient is a good technique to have under one's belt. When practicing certain techniques, try to keep the technical aspect as simple as possible, so that you can concentrate and understand the tests, more easily. I would suggest 1 flash off camera, 1/1, and manual camera settings to start.

Flash distance to subject is the only parameter which determines flash exposure(f/stop.) The ambient exposure, subject and background exposure, is controlled by time. Further research on "inverse square law" will help you understand more clearly on flash exposure.

Flash position(height and angle and distance) contributes much to the quality, mood, message, effect of the final image. With people, it's not often that the flash come from below(photo #1, #3), unless to achieve a special effect. For normal people pictures, the flash will be somewhat higher than the face. Research "classic portrait lighting patterns" to learn more on that topic.

photo #2 feels very comfortable, acceptable, non-technical. But, it seems from your question, you're looking to achieve some detail in the sky(?) If so, the simple answer is more flash power, less time.

Much luck and have fun! :)

That's where I get confused..I've balanced ambient before by using a faster shutter speed (i.e. LESS time) but I cannot SYNC if I go faster than 1/200 or 1/250.

How do I control time beyond 1/200th?!

[leninglass]

Ahh makes more sense! Thanks for clearing that up =) haha great shots still!

[breathless]

"That's where I get confused..I've balanced ambient before by using a faster shutter speed (i.e. LESS time) but I cannot SYNC if I go faster than 1/200 or 1/250. How do I control time beyond 1/200th?!"

Since the sync speed is limited, you'd need to bring up the flash power. Expose for flash, set shutter to max sync(1/125.)

How do you bring up flash power? Use 1/1(full power.) If necessary, move flash closer to subject. If not enough still, or flash is too close for the effect you're looking for, you've reached the limitation of your equipment.

[dshankar]

"That's where I get confused..I've balanced ambient before by using a faster shutter speed (i.e. LESS time) but I cannot SYNC if I go faster than 1/200 or 1/250. How do I control time beyond 1/200th?!"

Since the sync speed is limited, you'd need to bring up the flash power. Expose for flash, set shutter to max sync(1/125.)

How do you bring up flash power? Use 1/1(full power.) If necessary, move flash closer to subject. If not enough still, or flash is too close for the effect you're looking for, you've reached the limitation of your equipment.

But I need to also use a smaller aperture, right? 'Cause as it is, my subject is overexposed - bringing the flash closer on higher power will nuke her...

But I want that soft bokeh and background separation :( ... ND filter?

[breathless]

But I need to also use a smaller aperture, right? 'Cause as it is, my subject is overexposed - bringing the flash closer on higher power will nuke her...

But I want that soft bokeh and background separation :( ... ND filter?

"Expose for flash" means you'll have to adjust the aperture. Of course, with more flash, aperture should be smaller to achieve proper exposure. Smaller aperture and less time, equals less ambient exposure(darker background.)
ND filter will reduce exposure globally(both flash and ambient exposures), it may give you more room to play with the two exposures.