Off Camera Flash Settings

I have just started out with off camera lighting and would like to compare notes.

At beginning of each shoots my settings are as follows:

50D

580EX II with shoot through umbrella
Mode Manual
Power 1/8 (depending on what I am shooting)
Zoom 24mm

Cybersync Triggers


-Portrait

Mode Manual
ISO 200
Aperture f5.6
Speed 1/125

-Portrait with black backdrop

Mode Manual
ISO 200
Aperture f5.6
Speed 1/125

-Portrait with no backdrop and to cut ambeint light. I usually close the aperture to over f8.0

Mode Manual
ISO 200
Aperture >= f8.0
Speed 1/60

Are the aperture and shutter speeds in the ballpark area of how everyone shoots with off camera flash?

Welcome to POTN .

Aperature controls Flash

Shutter Speed controls Ambient

So to kill Ambient you should Increase Shutter speed to Sync speed 1/200 or 1/250 .


As for the others looks like a good starting point and look at your Histogram and adjust as necessary .

David