Flash Technique Tutorial Wanted.

[GovtLawyer]

Now that I've got my Rebel XT, 550 EX and 420 EX, I'm ready to start taking indoor shots with the added creative touch of a two flash system. However, as a former film SLR shooter with one non-dedicated flash and old 1980's technology, I'm a bit overwhelmed by the new system.

I'd like to exert some creative control, so putting everything on Auto or P is not my plan. Is there a tutuorial or book which anyone out there can recommend, which can help me through this process. A Canon specific workshop would be preferred, but I'm not too much of a dolt that I couldn't transfer more generic knowledge to my new system.

Any suggestions?

[Sam]

I have been looking for some good flash photography books and so far nothing looks like it will be much help. There is a lot of information in the sticky here on this forum, you could see if anything looks like it is what you are looking for.

If you find anything please let me know.

[tim]

As someone said on a previous thread, flash photography is a black art, not a science. I strongly recommend getting yourself a lighting book, and experimenting.

I'm not an expert or a pro, but i've learned a few things since I got my gear that might help you. There are two main ways I use my flash:
- In Av mode, as a fill flash when i'm taking a photo of a person on a light background, or to fill shadows.
- In M mode, when I want the flash to be the main/only light source. Set it on M, ISO 400 (ish), 1/200th (this sets background exposure), and F8 (or whatever you like really), and the flash onto ETTL. The flash will correctly exposure the picture, you can tweak with with the FEC settings.

Then you get into diffusers, like the Omnibounce, or the LightSphere II. The OmniBounce is great when you've a low ceiling and want to bounce the flash. The LS II is good indoors or outdoors, and lets you mix direct and bounced light, and because it's larger than the Omnibounce it provides a more diffuse light. If I could only have one, i'd use the LSII.

Then practice, practice, practice.

[chtgrubbs]

There are a ton of good books on lighting technique, but they are aimed at using studio strobes or modifying natural light. Maybe we should put together a group request to Canon to produce a manual or guide on the best way to utilize their dedicated system.

[RTMiller]

Here's a link to a site that might give you some ideas...

http://www.dg28.com/technique.html

[scottbergerphoto]

Have you looked in the Flash Sticky? :rolleyes:

[Point-N-Shoot]

<snip> Then you get into diffusers, like the Omnibounce, or the LightSphere II. <snip> If I could only have one, i'd use the LSII.<snip>

Tim...which LightSphere II diffuser do you use, the P4 (clear) or the C4 (cloud)...or both? Which one would work best for general portrait photography in a less-than-ideal-light enviroment (i.e. incandescent home lighting, late evening [red] sunlight, etc). I dont really ever shoot in dark lit rooms or at night, except when I'm trying to capture my daughters cheerleading at the night football games...and I'm thinking the 580EX isn't going to require a diffuser in that situation...right?

Thanks

[cntry]

GovtLawyer,
If you are looking for flash lighting techniques go here:http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/
There is a lot of good info.

[whiskaz]

- In M mode, when I want the flash to be the main/only light source. Set it on M, ISO 400 (ish), 1/200th (this sets background exposure), and F8 (or whatever you like really), and the flash onto ETTL. The flash will correctly exposure the picture, you can tweak with with the FEC settings.


Tim, why ISO 400 (unless you need to go that high to help expose the background and can't get a decent shutter speed without upping the ISO)?

[tim]

Tim...which LightSphere II diffuser do you use, the P4 (clear) or the C4 (cloud)...or both? Which one would work best for general portrait photography in a less-than-ideal-light enviroment (i.e. incandescent home lighting, late evening [red] sunlight, etc). I dont really ever shoot in dark lit rooms or at night, except when I'm trying to capture my daughters cheerleading at the night football games...and I'm thinking the 580EX isn't going to require a diffuser in that situation...right?

Thanks

I don't use a LightSphere and more, but the one I have is probably called the cloud. When I bought it there was only the standard LightSphere II.

Tim, why ISO 400 (unless you need to go that high to help expose the background and can't get a decent shutter speed without upping the ISO)?

ISO 400 doesn't have much noise, and it uses 1/4 the batteries of ISO100. The LS2 isn't efficient, so you need all the help you can get. Getting a bit of ambient light into the exposure is usually a good thing too.

[Kristy]

As someone said on a previous thread, flash photography is a black art, not a science. I strongly recommend getting yourself a lighting book, and experimenting.

I'm not an expert or a pro, but i've learned a few things since I got my gear that might help you. There are two main ways I use my flash:
- In Av mode, as a fill flash when i'm taking a photo of a person on a light background, or to fill shadows.
- In M mode, when I want the flash to be the main/only light source. Set it on M, ISO 400 (ish), 1/200th (this sets background exposure), and F8 (or whatever you like really), and the flash onto ETTL. The flash will correctly exposure the picture, you can tweak with with the FEC settings.

Then you get into diffusers, like the Omnibounce, or the LightSphere II. The OmniBounce is great when you've a low ceiling and want to bounce the flash. The LS II is good indoors or outdoors, and lets you mix direct and bounced light, and because it's larger than the Omnibounce it provides a more diffuse light. If I could only have one, i'd use the LSII.

Then practice, practice, practice.
Thanks for this... very helpful for those wha are new to using flash!

[steved110]

I found this site the most helpful in explaining how Eos flash actually works:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

But the real short cut is, stick your speedlite on the camera, set the camera to P mode, turn both on and start taking perfectly exposed flash pictures.

It really is that easy.

Once you are used to that, then try Av mode or manual mode, in order to alter the exposure of the background , knowing that with ETTL the camera tells the flash to turn off when the SUBJECT has been properly exposed.

[tim]

But the real short cut is, stick your speedlite on the camera, set the camera to P mode, turn both on and start taking perfectly exposed flash pictures.

It really is that easy.

Ma hahahahahahahahha :grin: :razz:

[Rhinotherunt]

I had recieved an email from their mailing list. Looks like they are going to release a new LS. I just checked Fong's website and it is not listed. The one in the email was called chrome. It had a silver lining on one side of the sphere. It will be interesting to see... I have the LS II clear. I like it, but use it mainly when I am using the flash as a main light.