Fill Flash

Here is my first attempt at using fill flash. Im really having trouble understanding how I meter for the background and get good exposure on the background and subject (i.e. a couple at sunset).

Im using a 30D w/580 EX II.

I use Av mode set at f/8-f/11 and the shutter automatically goes to 1/250 as per the custom function or Tv mode shutter set to 1/200-1/250, flash set to ETTL both ISO 100

With these settings how can I meter the background if my shutter wont go higher than 1/250, in the daytime and at night to expose for the sky I would think something like 1/500-1/1000. So how can I or better yet is it a good idea to change the custom function so I can use higher shutter speeds with fill flash.

Finally why does the flash recharge instantly at times then other times take 1.5 sec?

Few shots for example, I had to use PS to saturate the skies the sun was bright but I think these turned out ok.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

two more

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Do a quick search for 'high speed sync' in this forum re: fill flash oudoors. The flash has to pulse quickly to fill when both curtains of the shutter are moving. High Speed Sync mode on the flash will do the trick and allow faster shutter speeds.

As for the recharge on the flash, it depends on the power of the flash used. i.e. when using a higher iso, less light is needed, so less power is used therefore less time is required to recharge the caps in the flash.

Rich

Thanks, will do

Stop using AV or TV mode. M mode and fill flash is your friend.

cosworth wrote in post #3234758
Stop using AV or TV mode. M mode and fill flash is your friend.

I figured that would come up. Im tryng to understand first before switching to M mode, since the flash automatically goes to fill flash in Tv or Av mode (correct?). Is the above not possible in Av or Tv?

But say if I did use M mode I would just meter the shot for the sky (i.e. a sunset) then adjust the flash power as needed (after chimping), or is the flash supposed to know what power to output?

Thanks for your quick replies

Just found this thread
https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=high+​speed+sync

cosworth wrote in post #3234758
Stop using AV or TV mode. M mode and fill flash is your friend.

If I may, allow me to elaborate.

1) Av or Tv mode will expose the scene with ambient light the same as if you weren't using flash. The flash will add light to your subject as needed. Sometimes this gives you the effect you want, sometimes not. It depends on the scene, the background, and how you want to expose it.

2) Av mode will often cause trouble if you select an aperture that requires a fast shutter speed for proper exposure. If you're going to use Av, make sure you have high speed sync turned on. This allows the use of fast shutter speeds, but keep in mind that this will reduce the effective range of the flash. The distance scale on the back of the flash is an important tool.

3) Tv mode at 1/250 can often work very well. The camera will select the aperture for proper ambient exposure. It's the mode I use most often with outdoor fill. Keep in mind that if the background is part sky and part landscape, the camera will need to find some compromise and it may not be what you want.

4) Manual mode gives you the most control over how the background is exposed. Set your shutter at 1/250 and adjust aperture to put the needle where you want it. Now you can decide to meter on the sky and make it a nice deep blue, or meter on the some other part of the background to expose it the way you like.

The 580EX II gives you the option of E-TTL or traditional automatic flash metering. For outdoor fill, I recommend Evaluative E-TTL (custom function 14 on the camera set to 0). With this mode, the camera will evaluate the scene and "find" your subject.

It definitely takes practice and experimentation to get the amount of fill flash you want. Keep shooting and try not to get frustrated.

After another great reply from curtis may I add a relevant question? A common aplication using fill flash is to diall the flash down one or two stops from ambiant. In the flash bible under fill flash there is a section on auto fill reduction that is confusing. While using the 580EX would it automatically dial down if the ambient is bright?

ichuan wrote in post #3235456
A common aplication using fill flash is to diall the flash down one or two stops from ambiant. In the flash bible under fill flash there is a section on auto fill reduction that is confusing. While using the 580EX would it automatically dial down if the ambient is bright?

You're right, the EOS Flash Bible is confusing sometimes. Part of the reason is that it was apparently written to describe the E-TTL system, then edited when E-TTL II was introduced.

Automatic fill flash reduction was part of the original E-TTL system (10D, 300D and earlier models). With my 300D I used outdoor fill quite a bit, without any FEC, and it seemed to work well.

E-TTL II (on the 1D mk II, 20D, 350D and later models) has two distinctly different flash metering modes available via custom function on the camera: Evaluative and Average. I have not seen any official Canon documentation regarding automatic fill flash reduction with E-TTL II. But from my experience and concurring reports from others, it seems that E-TTL II uses automatic fill flash reduction in Evaluative mode, but not Average mode. This is part of the reason I recommend Evaluative for outdoor fill.

Still, E-TTL II seems to work differently than the original E-TTL system, and I sometimes find the need to dial in some - FEC. I rarely go lower than - 2/3, but it's partly a matter of taste.

Curtis N wrote in post #3235370
If I may, allow me to elaborate.

My posting laziness is showing?

Curtis N wrote in post #3235370
If I may, allow me to elaborate.

1) Av or Tv mode will expose the scene with ambient light the same as if you weren't using flash. The flash will add light to your subject as needed. Sometimes this gives you the effect you want, sometimes not. It depends on the scene, the background, and how you want to expose it.

2) Av mode will often cause trouble if you select an aperture that requires a fast shutter speed for proper exposure. If you're going to use Av, make sure you have high speed sync turned on. This allows the use of fast shutter speeds, but keep in mind that this will reduce the effective range of the flash. The distance scale on the back of the flash is an important tool.

3) Tv mode at 1/250 can often work very well. The camera will select the aperture for proper ambient exposure. It's the mode I use most often with outdoor fill. Keep in mind that if the background is part sky and part landscape, the camera will need to find some compromise and it may not be what you want.

4) Manual mode gives you the most control over how the background is exposed. Set your shutter at 1/250 and adjust aperture to put the needle where you want it. Now you can decide to meter on the sky and make it a nice deep blue, or meter on the some other part of the background to expose it the way you like.

The 580EX II gives you the option of E-TTL or traditional automatic flash metering. For outdoor fill, I recommend Evaluative E-TTL (custom function 14 on the camera set to 0). With this mode, the camera will evaluate the scene and "find" your subject.

It definitely takes practice and experimentation to get the amount of fill flash you want. Keep shooting and try not to get frustrated.

Thanks Curtis.
The Flash Bible at times is over my head .

Are the above shots exposed ok, or is it too much fill?

What type of beer do you drink Curtis?

Franko515 wrote in post #3236738
Are the above shots exposed ok, or is it too much fill?

They look pretty darn good to me, Mike. The third one shows a hot spot on his cheek but that's hard to avoid at that distance.

I know you're a creative kinda guy with a great eye. So the important thing is to adjust background exposure with EC, subject exposure with FEC, until they look good to you.

Whatever is free.

Curtis N wrote in post #3238604
They look pretty darn good to me, Mike. The third one shows a hot spot on his cheek but that's hard to avoid at that distance.

I know you're a creative kinda guy with a great eye. So the important thing is to adjust background exposure with EC, subject exposure with FEC, until they look good to you.Whatever is free.

Thanks

I owe you a couple of brews.