Newbie here ...Couple Questoins.

Hey guys ..Been trolling around alot here and figured Id join. Seems to be alot of good info. Heres my questions. I mainly do alot of automotive photography ..Im using 2 580's/Westcott Umbrellas and a ST-E2 wireless transmitter. I'm having trouble right now getting the car nicely lit and the keeping the background alot darker than the subject.

Here is a couple of exampls(which went through alot in PS) The backgrouind had to be darkened some what.

EXIF
1/200
f 6.3
Iso 100

Welcome to the forum, Devin.

Re your photo, I'm thinking you probably need stronger lights than what your pair of 580EXs can provide, especially when using with umbrellas outside. And maybe using more than just two units.

You've pretty much got your shutter speed as high as they can probably go so you won't be able to decrease your ambient light anymore by upping the shutter.

You can try decreasing the aperture to lower the ambient lighting but that will also result in decreased flash exposure, unless you can move the flash/umbrella assembly much closer to the car. But that may still not be enough.

Have you tried removing the umbrellas and lighting the cars directly with the flashes?

Not yet. I was also considering that . Haven't really had the chance to try it yet though. Thanks for your advice. Seems like its just going to be alot of trial and error for the next couple solid months of shooting. Thanks

edit: On a side note ..I know a couple of photographers who are using basicly my same 2 flash setup(Jtuned.com) but, theyre results are much better.Im kinda afriad to pry and ask how exactly their using them though.

Well, you can up the ISO to 200 or 400 and then wait a little longer until it gets a little darker out. I'm sure your setup will work then.

Also, if you aren't already, add +1 to +1 1/3 FEC for that car since it's very lightly colored and the camera will tend to underexpose it but about that much.

Havent tried that. Thats done by using the mode button while in ETTL correct ? One more thing I might add is Im using 32' westcotts. Theyre not exactly huge.

Yes, you can set the FEC on the flash or on the camera which is my method of choice since it's easier to do on the camera.

A 32" umbrella is really made for a single person head and shoulder portrait, maybe two if they're really close together although you might also get away with doing a single person full body shot. But I'm not sure how well you can cover an entire car, or even half of it, with that little umbrella.

Might be my next upgrade Thanks alot man.

One last question, How important is the brand on these umbrellas. I see 20 dollar reversable ones comapired to 45 dollar ones. Whats so different between these ?

Prob going for these .. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

A key point of the Canon EOS flash system is that the control of ambient light in the scene and the control of flash illumination for foreground objects is always totally separate and independent.

The Av and Tv (shutter-priority) modes will always attempt to properly expose the ambient light in the background when you use flash. Flash Exposure Compensation is the key here. I believe by controlling this and making adjustments you will achieve the results desired. Maybe try flash bracketing? With out umbrellas?

One thing with cars: They are essentially big, curved mirrory things, so anything is reflected. You'll probabely need *big* lightsources and/or reflectors. Or use ambient in a suitble environment (no disturbing reflections like you have in the side now)