Multiple speedlites newbie. I am SCARED!

Hi!

At last I gather the strength to ask about light! I have a 430EX II speedlite and I'm getting a couple of YN685 + YN622C. I want to start learning about using multiple speedlites, especially to lit reception rooms and other party venues. I have been bouncing flash for a long time with quite good results, but I think it is time for me to take an extra step. The problem is that everything is quite confusing.

I'm planning on using ETTL to start with, I think it will be easier. I have NO IDEA of how to set them up around a room, if any speedlite needs more power than the others, if I leave them bare or use umbrellas/reflectors, if I still need one flash for fill in my camera... It is SCARY! But again, I was scared as well when I bought my first camera and learnt about ISO, F-whatevers and shutter speed. I really want to start this.

Now for the question. Does anybody know of any place where I could read about this? I will be training in my own home in my livingoom with my wife dancing if neccesary!

Well, here's one of hundreds of choices as far as books go: I have read this one, it's useful I'd say:

https://www.amazon.com …F8&qid=14746691​29&sr=1-12

I'm interested also in this one, have not yet purchased / read it:

https://www.amazon.com …fRID=P8CWHZ5TAY​F07Q20R67T

I've only dabbled in flash photography, so that's about all I've got. I think there's quite a bit of trial and error. Hopefully some real experts will weigh in.

It's been a while since I used speedlites but I imagine the strobist site is still a good resource for info. Also, youtube. You can learn like 99.9% of the technical side of photography there, and it often helps to have a visual of what's going on to better understand what's being discussed.

tdlavigne wrote in post #18138659
It's been a while since I used speedlites but I imagine the strobist site is still a good resource for info. Also, youtube. You can learn like 99.9% of the technical side of photography there, and it often helps to have a visual of what's going on to better understand what's being discussed.

Will have a look at the strobbist site. I prefer learning by reading this kind of sites than a book, don't ask me why!

Syl Arena's " Speedliter's Handbook II"

Yes, Syl Arena's book is the bible for speedlites. I bought it a few months ago. It ain't cheap.

cubatahavana wrote in post #18138149
Hi!

At last I gather the strength to ask about light! I have a 430EX II speedlite and I'm getting a couple of YN685 + YN622C. I want to start learning about using multiple speedlites, especially to lit reception rooms and other party venues. I have been bouncing flash for a long time with quite good results, but I think it is time for me to take an extra step. The problem is that everything is quite confusing.

I'm planning on using ETTL to start with, I think it will be easier. I have NO IDEA of how to set them up around a room, if any speedlite needs more power than the others, if I leave them bare or use umbrellas/reflectors, if I still need one flash for fill in my camera... It is SCARY! But again, I was scared as well when I bought my first camera and learnt about ISO, F-whatevers and shutter speed. I really want to start this.

Now for the question. Does anybody know of any place where I could read about this? I will be training in my own home in my livingoom with my wife dancing if neccesary!

Heya,

ETTL is not easier in my opinion with multiple lights. I wouldn't use ETTL with several lights in a room. You'll get lots of variables that can cause things to be inconsistent. If you do go ETTL, you'll use FEC to control the difference between fill & key, etc.

I would go all manual.

When you setup, simply meter the room with each light individually to ensure you're getting the right output from each bouncing flash to meet your needs. Most folk set their manual lights and set their synch speed with the camera, aperture for depth of field, and use ISO to basically control the overall exposure and output. But with a meter, you can set it up and meter each light one time to know where to be at, to achieve fill or key depending on your needs. Then meter all together perhaps to make sure you're not getting over-exposure where they all overlap a bit. Really only takes a few seconds with a light meter to do it.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #18138909
Heya,

ETTL is not easier in my opinion with multiple lights. I wouldn't use ETTL with several lights in a room. You'll get lots of variables that can cause things to be inconsistent. If you do go ETTL, you'll use FEC to control the difference between fill & key, etc.

I would go all manual.

When you setup, simply meter the room with each light individually to ensure you're getting the right output from each bouncing flash to meet your needs. Most folk set their manual lights and set their synch speed with the camera, aperture for depth of field, and use ISO to basically control the overall exposure and output. But with a meter, you can set it up and meter each light one time to know where to be at, to achieve fill or key depending on your needs. Then meter all together perhaps to make sure you're not getting over-exposure where they all overlap a bit. Really only takes a few seconds with a light meter to do it.

Very best,

Nice! Can you point to a resource (video or book etc) that shows this or illustrates it ?

Thanks,
Mike

TustinMike wrote in post #18139000
Nice! Can you point to a resource (video or book etc) that shows this or illustrates it ?

Thanks,
Mike

I just did it myself with speedlites in a room with my light meter. Light meters make all of this very easy since it measures values. I didn't see a video but I saw some tips both here and various places and just tried it myself. I use three lights, 560 III's with a TX-560. I use a light meter to just meter them to get fill light based on my camera settings. Takes seconds to perform. And once you meter a room, you know them by heart really. No different in a bigger room or venue either, just set them up, meter. When I'm in a place with tall ceilings, I just put them higher in the air on tall stands to get more out of their bounce output. Same process. Power levels adjusted remotely with the TX-560, so I don't need to touch them. Meter and everything is dialed in without ever taking an exposure with the camera.

You can try it in your living room. Space out the lights. Meter them separately for your goal. Then meter at their point of overlap (best guess is fine) to make sure you're not getting too much power there and overexposing. Good to go from virtually all angles if you set them up in a big triangle or so.

Very best,