Tips for a 1 light setup...

I just purchased a 580 ex ii and 40" softbox for it. I've used it a few times on ETTL and definitely see an improvement with my images (especially sharpness). I would like to take advantage of more of the settings in the flash (assuming ETTL is like shooting on auto and probably a no-no according to you pros). I keep it directly to the right of my camera, would that be the best place when using only 1 light? I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips when using only 1 light or possibly any reading material/videos that would help me learn some of the settings on the flash. I've read the manual already

Give a search for Zack Arais and his One Light DVD workshop, it's the main reason why I gave lighting a more serious look.

I would suggest putting your flash on manual mode (as well as the camera) to get consistent results when taking photos.

Learn to control specular highlights and you can make one light look like two.

Check out lighting 101 on the strobist blog for hints on this and just about anything else you might need to know.

1. Don't be afraid to move that light well off the axis of the camera and have the subject look towards it.

2. Make sure you have plenty of separation (tonewise) between your subject & BG. You usually don't want to lose your subject in the BG. This can be accomplished with sunlight as a key light behind the subject (even through a window) or a lighter/darker BG than the subject (or both).

3. Experiment with reflectors to fill some of the dark shadows on the subject. Remember to position the reflector so it is taking some of the light from the flash & directing it towards the subject. The closer the reflector to the subject, the more fill.

Joe McNally's book, Hot Shoe Diaries, has a lot of examples and discussion of one flash off-camera lighting as well.

Thank you for the replies everyone, I will look into the info you gave me. Just to clarify, I only have the flash on ETTL camera isn't on auto I only shoot Manual!

dancinmyazoff wrote in post #14288647
Thank you for the replies everyone, I will look into the info you gave me. Just to clarify, I only have the flash on ETTL camera isn't on auto I only shoot Manual!

That's the way I usually do it (although I often use 2 off-camera flashes controlled remotely by the pop-up on my 60D. Yes, ETTL plus M for the camera usually works very well.

+1 for the strobist blog and DVDs. I haven't read the hotshoe diaries yet, but its definitely on my list.

SJRobbins wrote in post #14339334
+1 for the strobist blog and DVDs. I haven't read the hotshoe diaries yet, but its definitely on my list.

Sketching Light, McNally's newest one, is also excellent. Hot Shoe Diaries is probably the one to read first.

Beauty dish!

dancinmyazoff wrote in post #14286002
I just purchased a 580 ex ii and 40" softbox for it. I've used it a few times on ETTL and definitely see an improvement with my images (especially sharpness). I would like to take advantage of more of the settings in the flash (assuming ETTL is like shooting on auto and probably a no-no according to you pros). I keep it directly to the right of my camera, would that be the best place when using only 1 light? I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips when using only 1 light or possibly any reading material/videos that would help me learn some of the settings on the flash. I've read the manual already

ETTL does have a place, but if you are shooting in a situation where you are in control of the light, most serious photographers will recommend that you use full manual settings on both the camera and flash. Check the link in my signature for a tutorial on using manual flash.

The biggest advantage with using off camera flash is that it is off the camera. Don't think that there is only one position for it. IF you always have the flash in the same spot, all your photos will end up with the same light. And that would be boring. Try different positions, play around. It's digital, after all, and pixels are free.

Dustin Mustangs wrote in post #14286167
Learn to control specular highlights and you can make one light look like two.

Check out lighting 101 on the strobist blog for hints on this and just about anything else you might need to know.

Layman's terms can you please explain what you mean. Also some picture would be real nice.

Here is a lighting exercise on my tutorial site that describes how I emulate north window light with a speedlite, umbrella and reflector.

While using OCF in manual has many advantages there are also compelling reasons for using TTL flash.
For example, you can setup a lighting scheme that includes three groups A, B and C using Canon speedlites. Once you have the A:B ratio and group C set, if you want to change the F stop for shallower DoF all you have to do is change the aperture setting on the lens. ETTL takes care of the exposure for you.

Flash Exposure Compensaton (FEC) can also be used to accomplish this within a three stop range. Six if you work from -3 to + 3 by carefully setting up the lighting.

I use single light setup for all my on-location shots. ETTL is great if you want fast shots and to capture the moment. Before I got wireless ETTL triggers, I have always used a light meter with the 580exii set on manual. It only took 5-10 seconds to take a reading and adjust your camera accordingly but it ruins the "spontaneousness" of a fun shoot. With wireless ETTL, I can tell my subjects to pose and take the picture without skipping a beat.

We shot this with one 580exii, ETTL, through a Qbox 24.

bobbyz wrote in post #14340106
Layman's terms can you please explain what you mean. Also some picture would be real nice.

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …2-specular-highlight.html