Setting my camera correct exposure

I am not sure if i have this question in the correct area or not.

How do i know what to set my camera on (in manual settings) (that's what i have been told is the best mode to shoot in) Not completely comfortable with it however,
to be sure that my lighting is correct, when i am using off camera strobes?
Does this make sense?
How to I know, how much light is contributed to the settings?
I am a bit confused as to know where i should be with this.

I had a friend tell me what my settings should be when i am shooting inside my studio
w/my strobes. (what power they should be at and what my camera should be set at)
HOWEVER, when i go on location and i am using my strobes, how do i figure out where/what i should be set at??

Everything i have learned w/my photography is self taught, so i have never gone to school for it, so i am looking for some assistance. It would be greatly appreciated!
THANK YOU!
_______________
Denise ~

Canon 7D, Tamron 17-50 SP 2.8 VC, Canon Speedlight 580 EX II

More information here:
Small Flash and Studio Lighting
https://photography-on-the.net ….php?s=&dayspru​ne=-1&f=35

thank you

kitacanon wrote in post #11024541
More information here:
Small Flash and Studio Lighting
https://photography-on-the.net ….php?s=&dayspru​ne=-1&f=35

Is my question not worded correctly??
i haven't gotten any suggestions or information that will guide me.
HELP!

I will expand a bit.

I am shooting manual, because that is what i have been 'told' is the best mode to shoot in.
Until about a yr or so ago, i only shot auto. Had no idea how to use the other settings.
I have been trying to expand my abilities, but i am unsure how to relate the the amount of light being transmitted from my strobes into the camera to be sure that my settings are correct.
A friend of mine told me that if i am in studio to set my strobes on 1/4 power and my camera ( in manual) on F11 and 1/125
my photos are as sharp as a tack if i am in this situation and i hknow what my settings should be. HOWEVER, taken out of that setting, i am unsure what i should be set at.
NOT sure how to find that out either.

I could use some help.
thank you

Denise,, are you talking aboout shooting in the studio under strobes or manual camera exposure generally??

Simply put...the higher the shutter speed (or smaller the aperture with higher power setting on the strobe) the less existing/ambient light will be admitted through the lens to the sensor.

The slower the shutter speed, the wider the apertue, the lower the power setting, the more existing light will effect the exposure.

On the camera, you can increase the power of the on-board flash to have it overpower the existing light...

Practice with those combinations in your living room and establish a set of settings you like and write them down...

Hope that gives you a start...

Here is the situation.
I have taught myself everything i have learned thus far.
My biggest challenge is lighting.
I only know the settings correctly for in my studio because someone told me.

What i want to find out is in different situations, how to I establish the correct settings??

I shot volleyball photos (1st time) in a high school gymnasium. I took my strobes thinking the light would be horrible.
I was unsure where/what my settings should be. I was even usure how to figure them out.
I know, it sounds elementary, but it is my biggest thorn in my sides and makes me look like a fool shooting 15 shots to get my settings correct, while the subjects stand waiting.

Understanding Exposure, and the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO is a first step. This would be using whatever light is around. Using flash adds another factor into the equation, say for example the correct exposure in an average room is 1/125 f11 ISO 1600, then firing a flash is going to considerably increase the light level so your exposure then may be 1/125 f11 ISO 200. If you are using the flash to provide directional light rather than work with whatever is in the room then using the original exposure, you need to set the flash to provide the same level of illumination perhaps a 1/4 power but now you have control over the direction of that light.

I think some serious reading needs to be done, firstly understanding exposure in normal lighting before adding the complexity of flash.

I have been 'told' and have read over and over that 'manual' is the setting to be shooting in.
I shot in AUTO for a long time so, learning these other modes is new to me.

I think I know what Denise is trying to achieve..

Are you trying to balance ambient light with flash??

Yes.
Flash/strobes.
Is there a 'normal' setting, i know every situation is different, how do i establish the correct setting for each situation.

shutter speed and ISO will determine ambient light exposure, aperture controls the flash exposure.
easiest way to determine your power level for your flashes are to know the guide numbers for them.
you can figure out the power to set your flash to buy taking the aperture you want to use and multiply it by the distance the flash is from the subject, this will give you a guide number to set your flash to..refer to the flashes guide number chart to find the setting you need.

bdpaco added a key factor I omitted....the higher the ISO the more existing light will affect exposure...using a low ISO will not let in enough existing light to the sensor and so the exposure will be entirely (or nearly so) made by the light from the flash(es).

So, as I said...
If you want the background dark, use low ISO, high power setting, small aperture and the fastest shutter speed useable for the flash (1/200-1/250).
If you want the background bright(er), use high ISO, lower power setting, wider aperture...but...
Be careful with the shutter speed because a slower speed will take TWO exposures, one at the shutter speed of the camera, and one at the speed of the flash.

In addition to the above PREFERENCES...
To give you exact settings, which you seem to want, we would need to know the brand/model of the flash (for the guide number), the number of flashes, and the(ir) distance from the subject...

denise69 wrote in post #11024726
Yes.
Flash/strobes.
Is there a 'normal' setting, i know every situation is different, how do i establish the correct setting for each situation.

OK Denise,, now I'm on the same page with you..

With camera in manual take a meter reading of the ambient light but being carefull your shutterspeed doesn't exceed the maximum flash sync speed of your camera,, 200th or 250th depending on your camera..

If you own a incident light flash meter, take a flash exposure reading of your flash.. Adjust your flash's output to match the aperture of the ambient light.. Take a test shot and chimp.. You may have to adjust the lens' aperture so the subject is exposed properly depending on the brightness of the ambient light..

Studio, camera set to manual, and flash/strobes says use a flashmeter to me or do test shots. Then if you're using multiple flash/strobes you might need to learn about lighting ratios and positioning of the lights.

Ambient light is light that pre-exists in a room, whether it be light coming through a window, light from a room lighting fixture, or any light you don't intentionally add. This is a bit more difficult as not only do you need to balance flash with ambient, you may want to balance the color temperature with filter gels on the flash.

Reread post and realized actual question... (need a second cup of coffee). Listen to what yogstee said.
"HOWEVER, when i go on location and i am using my strobes, how do i figure out where/what i should be set at??"