430EX

Hey guys, just for the 430EX... sort of new to lighting... can someone give me as setting for Dark/Indoor shooting.

I have read everything and for some reason i still can;t find that ONE setting that will give me good results.... i know that ISO and everything else is still a factor, but any help would be nice.

I need a setting for Indoor (apartment) shooting (family/parties etc)

ettl, M, 1/60, f5.6, low iso.

if the ceiling is white or light colored, aim the flash head up at a 45 degree angle. depending on the height of the ceiling you may need to increase the flash power. also, a flash diffuser like a stofen omni-bounce helps a lot.

There are so many possible variables. With my XTI I can simply set my body to M, f5.6, 1/125, ISO 400 with my 580EXII to Ettl. Adjust the FEC to your liking. With your 430EX just adjust the FEC. That'll be your glorified point and shoot with a high percentage of keepers.

If you want more "pop" you may use a larger aperature like f3.5 on a 2.8 zoom (get more sharpness 2 stops down from wideopen) and get background blurr and play with the shutter speed and FEC for your desired exposure.( NO mention of equipment ??)

Bounce your flash to a wall or ceiling (assuming its light coloured and somewhat low 8-9ft). You may look into a flipit from joe demb.

http://www.dembflashpr​oducts.com/flipit/

The flipit is a catch light card that helps throw light forward. For now you can simpy get a white piece of cardboard and use a rubber band to secure it on the head.

Not long ago I took many photos at my friends engagement party and the restaurant was extremely low lit. Virtually all of my photos were keepers regarding sharpness and exposure. And think I was getting away with f6.3, SS 1/160, ISO 400 not overly concerned with dragging the shutter since I didnt feel it neccesary to attempt to expose the virtually black dark lit background.

Indoors I wouldn't do direct flash. Even the 14mm diffuser grid on the 430EX would be a harsh source of light indoors.

For work inside an apartment, go with the bounce technique. Since your shots will be mostly closer than 10-12 ft, you may need to set the flash at a 60-90 degree angle. If the ceiling is white or light gray, you should get nicely diffused lighting that still has some of the other sources (lamps etc.) in it. Make a bunch of test exposures to determine your best settings. I am still using an old Vivitar flash that gives good results as long as I do some testing first. Once you get some good settings for your apartment, they should work in any other place that has a similar ceiling height. In a small space, a direct flash will blow out any light-colored surface and you risk the reflection from windows, mirrors and glass doors you may not have noticed.

Dale