Using flash - beginner stumbling around
Jun 8, 2018 16:25:35 #
What do I need to know when using flash, settings wise? If I set manual settings for proper exposure without flash, doesn't that screw up the image? If I set in manual for proper exposure I get an overexposed image with flash. Using aperture priority I get decent results (the shutter speed is locked at 1/60 sec), but the distant areas which don't get much of the flash fill light are way underexposed. I know nothing about proper use of flash and feel that I'm just stumbling around. Camera is Nikon D3200. I'd like to use flash to capture live performances in low light, but would like the distant areas to be somewhat exposed as well. Cannot do so with aperture mode as it locks my shutter speed at 1/60 sec. Any suggestions?
Jun 8, 2018 16:51:20 #
If you switch to Shutter Priority, you can adjust the shutter speed to whatever you like from 1/200 second to anything slower. !/200 second is the upper limit for flash sync with this camera.
Jun 8, 2018 16:54:04 #
This is one of the best resources I've found on the web:
https://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html
https://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html
Jun 8, 2018 16:59:59 #
Quick suggestions:
If the flash has an auto function - use it.
If the flash & camera has a ttl function use that!
Keep in mind the inverse square law. Basically, the greater the distance from flash to subject, the less light there is.
If you use direct flash, and set your exposure for a relatively near subject, a farther away subject will be under exposed - and vice-versa. Using bounce flash can help this.
There's a LOT to learn about flash photography and ya need to keep it all straight in your mind, too.
There's on camera flash, direct flash, bounce flash, off camera flash, both direct and bounce, multiple flash units, and on & on & on.
Someone will suggets a good book or videos for you too.
I nearly forgot - fill flash, or what I call 'syncro-sunshine - a whole 'nuther ball of wax' to invistigate.
Good luck on your quest.
If the flash has an auto function - use it.
If the flash & camera has a ttl function use that!
Keep in mind the inverse square law. Basically, the greater the distance from flash to subject, the less light there is.
If you use direct flash, and set your exposure for a relatively near subject, a farther away subject will be under exposed - and vice-versa. Using bounce flash can help this.
There's a LOT to learn about flash photography and ya need to keep it all straight in your mind, too.
There's on camera flash, direct flash, bounce flash, off camera flash, both direct and bounce, multiple flash units, and on & on & on.
Someone will suggets a good book or videos for you too.
I nearly forgot - fill flash, or what I call 'syncro-sunshine - a whole 'nuther ball of wax' to invistigate.
Good luck on your quest.
Jun 8, 2018 17:20:55 #
nimblenuts wrote:
What do I need to know when using flash, settings ... (show quote)
A couple of books you may find helpful:
"Understanding Flash Photography" by Bryan Peterson
"The Nikon Creative Lighting System" by Mike Hagen
Jun 9, 2018 06:22:18 #
Are you using the camera's built-in flash or a hot shoe mounted flash?
If you are using a hot shoe mounted flash that has a manual mode, there's a technique described in Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Flash Photography" for dealing with situations when your main subject is close to the camera and becoming overexposed. You put both the camera and flash in manual mode. You expose for the background with the camera's settings. When the flash is in manual mode, it will display the ideal flash to subject distance on its LCD screen. You estimate the flash to subject distance and adjust the flash output level until that distance is shown on the LCD screen.
If the background is dark but your main subject is well illuminated, Slow Sync flash mode is an option you can try. It will lengthen the exposure to lighten the background.
If you are using a hot shoe mounted flash that has a manual mode, there's a technique described in Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Flash Photography" for dealing with situations when your main subject is close to the camera and becoming overexposed. You put both the camera and flash in manual mode. You expose for the background with the camera's settings. When the flash is in manual mode, it will display the ideal flash to subject distance on its LCD screen. You estimate the flash to subject distance and adjust the flash output level until that distance is shown on the LCD screen.
If the background is dark but your main subject is well illuminated, Slow Sync flash mode is an option you can try. It will lengthen the exposure to lighten the background.
Jun 9, 2018 07:37:23 #
Jun 9, 2018 09:41:29 #
Buy a speedlite and don't rely on the pop up flash. They are only good for subject 10 feet or less from the camera. Take your camera out of auto and use either aperture priority or manual when using flash. Expost for the brightest part of the scene and then the flash will light up the darkest parts of the scene as long as it's not too far in the background. Otherwise, to light the background you'll need another off camera flash on a stand put up close to the background you want exposed.
nimblenuts wrote:
What do I need to know when using flash, settings ... (show quote)
Jun 9, 2018 09:43:55 #
nimblenuts wrote:
What do I need to know when using flash, settings ... (show quote)
First get yourself a good flash unit with a high output. Godox is a good one and not expensive. Then get yourself a good book on using flash and read it. THEN start experimenting. It is almost impossible to get a well exposed near subject AND background in virtual darkness (because of the physics of light) using a point source of light like a flash. Flash works well in situations where there is sufficient light on the background and the foreground subject is in shadow. It that case you expose for the background and supply a very muted amount of flash to light up your shadows in the foreground. Using the TTL on the Godex, combined with the compensation you can dial in on that unit, you should be able with a little experimentation to come up with some techniques for getting the results you want.
Jun 9, 2018 09:44:31 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I use an SB600 on my D7000. It's a TTL flash, you'll need a TTL flash to do the following. Set the flash on TTL and set your camera on Manual mode, ISO at 400, shutter at 1/200, and aperture at F4.5. This will cover 95% of your needs. The TTL feature of the flash controls exposure on the subject in combination with aperture and ISO. The high shutter speeds reduces the effect of ambient light. You can also use much higher shutter speeds by using high speed sync on your camera if its available. The short shutter speed will darken the background. You can also increase the ISO to get a bit more range from your flash or adjust the aperture to affect depth-of-field. The TTL feature of the flash will adjust its output.
Jun 9, 2018 10:02:30 #
Mac wrote:
A couple of books you may find helpful:
"Understanding Flash Photography" by Bryan Peterson
"The Nikon Creative Lighting System" by Mike Hagen
"Understanding Flash Photography" by Bryan Peterson
"The Nikon Creative Lighting System" by Mike Hagen
I especially recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Flash Photography." It is short, easy to read, interesting, and provides a broad basic understanding of flash.
Jun 9, 2018 10:12:28 #
Everything you need to know is explained very understandably at http://strobist.blogspot.com
--Bob
--Bob
nimblenuts wrote:
What do I need to know when using flash, settings ... (show quote)
Jun 9, 2018 10:26:14 #
lhardister wrote:
I especially recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Flash Photography." It is short, easy to read, interesting, and provides a broad basic understanding of flash.
I have that book. I like that he covers all sorts of different shooting situations. There are other excellent books on flash photography but many are focused mainly on wedding photography.Jun 9, 2018 11:41:08 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
nimblenuts wrote:
What do I need to know when using flash, settings ... (show quote)
Flash during a live performance, GOOD LUCK. most venues I know will not allow flash.
Jun 9, 2018 12:39:06 #
Use a flash in the hot shoe in TTL (or ETTL if it is available) mode to automate for the proper exposure. Manual works for me. I use the fastest shutter speed compatible with flash (1/200 or 1/250 sec, depending on camera) when I don't want available light showing in the photo, or 1/60 sec or so when I do and am using flash for fill.
A flash will light the closest subjects the most, and further ones will be underexposed. That is physics, it can't be changed.
A flash will light the closest subjects the most, and further ones will be underexposed. That is physics, it can't be changed.
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