10D + 420EX = Fill Flash

[mblanton]

I wish it were that simple. I have been taking sample pics outdoors trying to find a trustworthy method for getting consistent results with fill flash. So far it has been very hit and miss. Can someone give me instructions on how to up my odds?

Here is the exif data from my first shot:
File Name
jessica-1.JPG
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/2/2005 3:10:36 PM
Shooting Mode
Shutter Speed Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/500
Av( Aperture Value )
4.0
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
+1
ISO Speed
100
Lens
50.0 mm
Focal Length
50.0 mm
Image Size
2048x3072
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
On
Flash Type
External E-TTL
Flash Exposure Compensation
+2
Red-eye Reduction
Off
Shutter curtain sync
1st-curtain sync
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast +1
Sharpness +2
Color saturation +1
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB
File Size
4347KB
Custom Function
C.Fn:01-0
C.Fn:02-1
C.Fn:03-1
C.Fn:04-0
C.Fn:05-0
C.Fn:06-1
C.Fn:07-0
C.Fn:08-0
C.Fn:09-0
C.Fn:10-0
C.Fn:11-0
C.Fn:12-0
C.Fn:13-0
C.Fn:14-0
C.Fn:15-0
C.Fn:16-0
C.Fn:17-0
Drive Mode
Continuous shooting
Owner's Name
Camera Body No.
0620304115

Here is the exif data from my second shot:

File Name
jessica-2.JPG
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/2/2005 3:17:41 PM
Shooting Mode
Shutter Speed Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/500
Av( Aperture Value )
10
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
400
Lens
50.0 mm
Focal Length
50.0 mm
Image Size
2048x3072
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
On
Flash Type
External E-TTL
Flash Exposure Compensation
+1
Red-eye Reduction
Off
Shutter curtain sync
1st-curtain sync
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast +1
Sharpness +2
Color saturation +1
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB
File Size
2501KB
Custom Function
C.Fn:01-0
C.Fn:02-1
C.Fn:03-1
C.Fn:04-0
C.Fn:05-0
C.Fn:06-1
C.Fn:07-0
C.Fn:08-0
C.Fn:09-0
C.Fn:10-0
C.Fn:11-0
C.Fn:12-0
C.Fn:13-0
C.Fn:14-0
C.Fn:15-0
C.Fn:16-0
C.Fn:17-0
Drive Mode
Continuous shooting
Owner's Name
Camera Body No.
0620304115

Both of these shots were taken straight from the camera (no post processing). Please give me ideas on how I can improve my technique. Thanks very much and sorry if I posted too much information.

Mike

[PacAce]

If you are going to be using the flash for fill, you might want to consider using negative FEC instead of positive FEC.

[mblanton]

PacAce,

Can you explain FEC? How do I know whether to use it positive or negative?

Mike

[theman]

Flash exposure compensation = FEC

[PacAce]

PacAce,

Can you explain FEC? How do I know whether to use it positive or negative?

Mike
Your EXIF shows that your FEC was set to +1 stop more than what you used for EC. On you first shot, EC was +1 and FEC was +2. On your second shot, EC was 0 and FEC was +1.

Ordinarily, what you want to do is use fill flash to light up the part of the subject that's in the shadow so that that area does not come out too dark. If you set the flash to light up the shadow areas just as much as or more than the areas under the sun, your image will not only look flat since the shadows will be just as bright as or brighter than the part under the sun but it will also look unnatural. So, what you want to do is light up the shadow area with the flash but with 2/3 or more stops less exposure than the rest of the picture. You'll need to play with the amount of negative FEC to use until you get the result you want.

Make sure the sun lit area is properly exposed or maybe overexposed by a fraction of a stop if you want to show how bright that area is. Then set your flash exposure compensation so that the flash fills the shadow areas by the correct amount.

[scottbergerphoto]

From the EOS Flash Sticky:
The most consistent way to use fill flash is to take the camera out of the equation as far as determining how to adjust the relationship between ambient and flash. I suggest you:
1. Disable the Automatic reduction of fill flash in Custom functions.*
*If your camera doesn't have this Custom Function, put the camera in Manual Mode, and leave the flash in ETTL/II.
2. Set the camera to Manual mode and set your ambient exposure using the camera meter.
3. Set FEC on the camera body(not available on the body of the 420EX) to from minus 1 to minus 1 and 2/3.
4. Adjust the FEC up and down to see what you like.
The historical expert on this technique is the late Galen Rowell. You can learn alot about flash techniques from "The Nikon Flash Guide" by Thom Hogan.
Regards,
Scott

[mblanton]

Ok, I've read your posts and my instruction manuals and think I better understand what we're talking about. I am going to take some test shots today. I will make sure the EC is set to 0, and then I will try reducing the FEC by 2/3 and 1. I will post some results this weekend.

Should I disable the automatic reduction of fill flash in the custom functions?

Thanks everyone,

Mike

[scottbergerphoto]

Ok, I've read your posts and my instruction manuals and think I better understand what we're talking about. I am going to take some test shots today. I will make sure the EC is set to 0, and then I will try reducing the FEC by 2/3 and 1. I will post some results this weekend.

Should I disable the automatic reduction of fill flash in the custom functions?

Thanks everyone,

Mike
See #1 in my post above.
Absolutely!!!!!
Scott

[mblanton]

I took a few sample pics of my neighbors horse with the new information I've gained. I took this pic with the camera set in shutter priority mode (EC = 0, FEC = -2/3). Let me know where to go from here. I am pretty happy with the result.

Mike

[PacAce]

I took a few sample pics of my neighbors horse with the new information I've gained. I took this pic with the camera set in shutter priority mode (EC = 0, FEC = -2/3). Let me know where to go from here. I am pretty happy with the result.

Mike
That's pretty good. Keep playing with it and don't be afraid to experiment with other FEC values just to see what will happen. That way you'll know what works and what doesn't. :)