Advice needed re fill in flash for outdoors

[AlexinS.A.]

Tomorrow I have an outdoor model portfolio shoot to do. Most of my work of this nature has been in an indoor studio with very controlable lighting. Tomorrow however I will be using a fill in flash to compensate for shadows on the models face etc and I am wondering what camera settings to use.

I normally shoot outdoors in Aperture Priority mode to control the DOF I want but my concern is that when I use a fill in flash, that the shots will be very over exposed due to the flash lighting up the subjects face.

Any advice would be very welcome.

[Fastfwd13]

I find that on my camera staying in Av mode will force the flash to send only enough power to fill and not change the exposure.

Before I had my ttl cable what I did was to check the exposure with Av and then go to manual with the same settings and play with the flash power until I got what I wanted.

[TeeJay]

Generally, in Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority (or Manual) modes, the camera will automatically calculate the amount of fill flash required based on ambient lighting.

Should you prefer to reduce/increase the results simply dial-in some Flash Exposure Compensation to raise or lower the amount of fill.

TJ

[AlexinS.A.]

Thanks for replies but I will be using an off camera flash (430ex) and a shoot through umbrella triggered by Cactus V4 triggers and I think tthe flash then loses its TTL capabilities and just blasts at full power. Think I must go outside now and set up model teddy bear to practice on!

[Fastfwd13]

I have the 580 so maybe it's not the same but even in manual I can lower the power output of the flash. I usually end up somewhere near 1/4 - 1/8 or power.

[CliveyBoy]

I think tthe flash then loses its TTL capabilities and just blasts at full power.
Press the Mode button on the flash to select M mode, then press Set, followed by + or - buttons to get from 1/1 power to 1/64 power. Press Set again to lock it in.

[AlexinS.A.]

Hey thanks very much all for your great responses!

[TeeJay]

You may find this Canon Masterclass of interest....

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/masterclass/canon_flash.do

TJ

[Dermit]

Alex,

Your biggest challenge in shooting outdoors with flash during daylight is balancing the flash with the ambient light. Manual control on the flash is a good way to go since it will deliver consistent results as you dial it in. One of the problems you are going to have is you will bang into the max sync speed real fast with such bright available light. Which will lead you to stop down the aperture a bunch which will give you too much DOF for most people's taste. A shoot through umbrella is probably going to eat up too much power of your flash. Depending on the ambient light you may be able to shoot direct flash, or even reflect off an umbrella instead of shot through. Another thought would be to use high speed sync mode on the flash so you can use larger apertures and balance with the ambient. Also you may have to move the flash very close to the subject to get what you want. Go experiment with that teddy bear. Make sure you use similar setting as you will be shooting in. And report back here with any question, and successes you have.

[SequinMiner.com]

I get stuck outdoors a lot (events) in bright sun and canopies. When I encounter really horrid mixed conditions I'll often stay on camera both with/without a bracket, set the aperture (usually wide open as possible for bokeh) in Manual mode both camera and flash and drag the shutter WAYYYYYYY down. Give yourself a buffer with an asa 400 and jockey the shutter to find the sweet spot ;) Plus this lets you stay super mobile... ;)

Take a look at the Petersons Open House Gallery link http://www.sequinminer.com/Events/Petersons-Demo-EventOpen-House/9919368_92xt4#679110109_KeSCg for flash on camera under canopies, in limo's, showrooms and direct sunlight.

Note: Gallery is worksafe but its a bikini bike wash so best at home.