Outdoor flash

Just trying outdoor flash in manual mode.How do you know flash and ambient is mixed properly. Is it subjective thing?

For the following shots, I got "flash is too much". So keeping everything same, it should lower my shutter speed to bring in the ambient? Or lower the flash power?

Hi Bobby,

Lowering the flash power will bring more ambient in to the scene. Lowering the shutter speed would work but you're working with humans and even when you tell someone to hold still there is still slight movement so I wouldn't start dropping your shutter speed. Start by reducing flash power a little at a time and you'll see the relationship of ambient to flash change.

Yes it is a subjective thing. I wouldnt say the flash is "too much" in those shots (perhaps just a little). You can work with relatively slower shutter speeds with flash too since the flash will freeze motion to some extent.

What about stopping down to a smaller aperture.

As long as he has the firepower or the high ISO performance, sure.

Sgt. wrote in post #5761734
What about stopping down to a smaller aperture.

That would reduce the flash exposure and the ambient exposure when manual flash is being used. With E-TTL flash, the camera would automatically adjust the flash power to maintain the flash exposure (theoretically).

These shots really aren't too bad. Perhaps a bit more ambient and a bit less flash would be better, but it's a subjective thing.

The key is to approach the two exposures one at a time. First, meter the background and get the ambient exposure where you want, then tweak the flash power.

Sounds like he doesn't have a meter. How should he approach doing this?

Sgt. wrote in post #5761776
Sounds like he doesn't have a meter. How should he approach doing this?

Use the camera's built-in meter.

The camera's built-in meter is useless for manually controlled flash.

Absent a flash meter, start by using the flash unit's distance scale to get you in the ballpark. From that point, it's a matter of trial and error, and skillful histogram evaluation for final tweaking.

I have the L358 meter but didn't use it. Or let us say I have never used it yet in outdoor setting. Will try next time.

Your meter will soon become your best friend.

I carry mine with me all the time and when on location I keep it in my pocket.

NOTE: If you're going to be putting the meter in your pocket you want to be very careful of a few things. This applies to the L-358, L-558R, L-758DR/Cine.
1. It's a good idea to lower the dome first. Leaving it raised is asking for trouble.
2. Do not sit down with the meter in a back pocket.
3. Make sure you use the LOC function of your meter. If you don't then depending on the mode of the meter, the jog wheel will move and change the assigned parameter.

bobbyz wrote in post #5764653
I have the L358 meter but didn't use it. Or let us say I have never used it yet in outdoor setting. Will try next time.

Never leave home without that thing if you intend to use manual flash.

The percent flash reading is particularly useful when mixing ambient and flash. With a bit of practice you'll be able to get consistent results.

bobbyz wrote in post #5760215
Just trying outdoor flash in manual mode.How do you know flash and ambient is mixed properly. Is it subjective thing?

For the following shots, I got "flash is too much". So keeping everything same, it should lower my shutter speed to bring in the ambient? Or lower the flash power?

Bobby -- you should be able to tone these down a bit i PP i'd think .... if that's what you want.

did you use an attachment on your flash?

ed rader

Or maybe do a -1 FEC...

This is the way I see it, and someone please tell me if I'm wrong. You could shoot either aperture priority or shutter priority and reduce the flash power on the, for instance, 580EX. Isn't this the easiest way to use fill flash? Please put me right if I am mistaken.