Flash ahhhh 580ex

[fatrat]

Im finding that when i use the 580EX as a balanced fill flash it seems a bit harsh and also in lower light conditions i want to bring out the background more(not have a dark background) and blend the fill flash on the subject more..
I hear one of the best things about the 580EX is that you can ajust the beck ground and foreground exposure seperately, anyone know how to get the best results of of a flash gun

[tim]

In that situation shoot in Av mode and perhaps dial the FEC down a bit if you want, but it's not necessary. Av meters for the background (ie exposes it properly), and the flash lights up the persons face correctly, just like magic.

[PacAce]

In that situation shoot in Av mode and perhaps dial the FEC down a bit if you want, but it's not necessary. Av meters for the background (ie exposes it properly), and the flash lights up the persons face correctly, just like magic.
Yes, what Tim says is true. Just be wary of the shutter speed the camera selects for you, though, or else you might end up with some blurred pictures. If the shutter speed is slower than you can hand-hold the camera you'll need to use a tripod to keep the picture from getting blurred by camera movement. However, the tripod won't help with subject movement so if the shutter speed is slow, make sure to tell the subject to hold the pose for a second or so after the flash has gone off (unless you're using 2nd curtain sync).

[fatrat]

oh thanks, do i leave the flash it E_TTL 2 mode, what is FEC Ambient emposer compensation??

[tim]

Yep ETTL2, and FEC is flash exposure compensation. Have a read of your manual to work out how to use it on your camera.

[MDJAK]

I just read my 580ex flash manual. (shamed to admit I've never taken the time to read a flash's manual before.) I sat in my office and continually shot the same subject (a can of compressed air with my small brown refrigerator in the background) from about four feet away.


I continually changed the flash compensation by third stops to see the difference. It was a great learning experience.

However, at the auto show yesterday, I tried the AV mode and was getting very dark pictures, to the point that I put the flash away, raised the ISO and shot away.

[fatrat]

did you try just raising the ISO a little and still use the flash??
Thx for your help guys
Now if i want to expose the back ground more in AV mode but leave the subject(foreground) the same exposure, seeing as AV mode exposes for the backgound would adding exposure comp via the Camera expose the background more but leave the for ground the same>?