Beginner lighting advice

Hello! I typically shoot with just natural light. I do weddings and have an on camera flash that I use when necessary, just bouncing it off the ceiling on automatic modes because I can't figure out how the settings on it work! I shoot with a canon 50D (about to upgrade to the 5dmkIII) and I believe it's a canon 580 flash that I own. Does anyone know of a blog or anything that is really good at explaining things from the beginning on using flash? If I were to get anything other than my flash or if I wanted to use it off camera, how would I go about that?

Thank you

theres a few links in a sticky up top, https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=171657, not sure if you've read those yet.

This book is amazing! http://www.amazon.com …ords=canon+spee​dlite+book

I would highly suggest picking a copy up .

Ratjack wrote in post #16316396
This book is amazing! http://www.amazon.com …ords=canon+spee​dlite+book

I would highly suggest picking a copy up .

This is a great book for Canon shooters!

Ratjack wrote in post #16316396
This book is amazing! http://www.amazon.com …ords=canon+spee​dlite+book

I would highly suggest picking a copy up .

Just put in an order from Amazon! Thanks so much! Probably exactly what I'm looking for.

Stop the order and get a refund if you can. For beginners, I highly recommend:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.ca/2006/03/lighting​-101.html

If you still want Syl Arena, here are some free classes:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=5gmgN8l7UFg
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=5byuHJ9uBns
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=KpxTjmlEsm8

protege wrote in post #16316661
Stop the order and get a refund if you can. For beginners, I highly recommend:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.ca/2006/03/lighting​-101.html

If you still want Syl Arena, here are some free classes:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=5gmgN8l7UFg
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=5byuHJ9uBns
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=KpxTjmlEsm8

I think I'll go ahead and get the book, and mix what I read there with what I read in that tutorial! Thanks so much

kalahmarie wrote in post #16316684
I think I'll go ahead and get the book, and mix what I read there with what I read in that tutorial! Thanks so much

I don't think you'll regret getting Syl's book. It is a good reference book on Canon Speedlite shooting with lots of pictures, explanations, and hints and tips. It was written before the release of Canon's 600EX-RT so it will not cover that technology, but the material in the book still applies. I do agree that there is a lot of good info available for free on the Stobist blog but I look at it as complimentary, rather than either or.

After you have digested the info in the Syl Arena book I would also recommend Neil van Niekerk's off camera lighting book. Lots of good info in there as well for getting started in off camera speedlite work. Neil has a very readable style, much like Syl.

Here is a link to that book: http://www.amazon.com …5&creativeASIN=​1608952789

Syl's book is very good. This may be the only other sight you ever need. Start in the blue column on the right. 01- natural looking flash, under "flash photography techniques".

http://neilvn.com/tang​ents/

His book is very good as well.

http://www.amazon.com …5&creativeASIN=​1584282584

My shooting partner is a natural light photographer. He has always preferred it over even well crafted flash however when it comes time when he needs it he struggles a bit. He has not taken the time to really learn about flash.

Last week we did and engagement shoot in a park. I brought my new softbox along and after he looked at my images, particularly in shaded areas he said they looked much better. I liked using it more than my umbrella and I think I finally had him thinking about it. Even if someone prefers natural light it is essential to master flash photography when shooting events like weddings. You need to be abel to adjust to all conditions.

Between the both of us the client gets a nice mix of shots ands styles.

JUst thought of something else. After that engagement shoot a few weeks ago I decided to go for a bike ride. Only so many days left before the snow hits. I peddled through our legislative building grounds which is popular place for shoots. There were 5 formal bridal party shoots. 4 were using direct flash and 1 had the flash on the bracket. Most assistants had a flash on their gear. High percentage of shots were under tree shade with some nice natural light and objects in the background. Some were backlit and few in direct sun.

One had the bride backlit and with water fountain behind her. Direct flash as well. In the wedding forums I posted one of the photographers had a ghetto blaster and was playing upbeat music. This was the one. He really had the bride get into posing and must have taken about 50 shots. I would like to have seen those.

This guy is awesome too https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=mivhtzg7P4s

Broomer wrote in post #16323735
This guy is awesome too https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=mivhtzg7P4s

That is the same guy we've been providing book and blog links to. I agree Neil is a great teacher.

draderusa wrote in post #16324260
That is the same guy we've been providing book and blog links to. I agree Neil is a great teacher.

Ha.. I didn't see that.. I've recently got Syl's book and the vids are an excellent reference with the book

kalahmarie wrote in post #16316249
I do weddings and have an on camera flash that I use when necessary, just bouncing it off the ceiling on automatic modes ...

Neil's technique is more your style, sync speed and below, on-camera flash bouncing light off any nearby surface in E-TTL.