Speedlite Tutorials?

[PaulTopol]

Hi,
Been on this journey that you are starting on.

Your final goal should be Manual settings, with playing with av etc. along the way.
Simple to remember, after lots of practice: Shutter Speed controls ambient light and Aperture controls flash.
Sounds simple but sometimes difficult to get ones head around it.
I shoot a number of community events, some weddings and some engagements, Kids, adults, some posing, most not.
Settings when i shoot generally are manual : F5.6 (reasonable depth of field) and 160th (freeze motion for the ambient lit stuff). Then set the flash (580ex2) for ETTL. Point flash to ceiling or wall, have reflector card pulled out (so i get highlight in the eyes). people love my pics, the focused ones of course. so i must be doing something right.
If it's a group, and i have not prepared with multiple lights, i increase the f stop, to give greater depth of field, slower shutter speed, say 100th, and let the flash work harder, still on ettl.

Next goal for you then is to have everything on manual, including you flash. But the above works REALLY well for me.
For more stuff look for Joe Mcnally, Zack Arias, creativelive.com.
LOTS of free stuff, that's how i learnt.

Have fun

Paul

 

[jdramirez]

I would agree with not spending any more money until you have read enough material about your body and off camera flash. I'd also start you off with a regimine of taking at least 40 photos a day.

 

[privatebydesign]

Shutter Speed controls ambient light and Aperture controls flash.

It disturbs me when people say that, especially to the inexperienced. Whilst it has some truth in that shutter speed does not affect flash power when below max sync, it is misleading in that aperture does affect ambient and flash (if the flash is in M and you don't change the power level).

 

[StephenC]

Thank you to all the great comments and advice. I think I am getting some early understanding of what I am supposed to be doing. I've read the Speedlite manual and now I understand at least the basic functions. I've had the same vibe as that given by PrivateByDesign that I really don't need to be fiddling with the Ext.A mode.

I'll continue to read through the various articles I've been pointed at and will keep experimenting, though I don't get anywhere near 40 shots a day, probably not even a month! I will even give M mode a try.

 

[privatebydesign]

I am not a very good reading learner, but I do learn well from videos. I also really like Mark Wallace, though there are no end of people with their opinions on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marc+wallace+speedlights

 

[RLPhoto]

Shutter Speed controls ambient light and Aperture controls flash.

It disturbs me when people say that, especially to the inexperienced. Whilst it has some truth in that shutter speed does not affect flash power when below max sync, it is misleading in that aperture does affect ambient and flash (if the flash is in M and you don't change the power level).

+1

Shutter speed - ambient control (limited by sync speed. Which is why strobists crave high true sync speeds)

Aperture - affects ambient and flash exposure. (NDs can allow you to get the smaller f-numbers.)

ISO - affects ambient and flash exposure. (For speedlites, I start at iso 400 to get faster recycles with less power when ambient light is low.)

Then there is high speed sync, inverse square law, big mods vs small mods, etc... but the fundamentals stay the same.

 

[ninjapeps]

I would use M mode but I find there are already too many settings to keep track of

When using a flash, I'm always on M. Pretty much the only setting that I keep changing is flash power. Shutter, aperture, and ISO are more or less constant unless there's an effect I'm going for and even then, it's usually only shutter speed that needs adjusting.

 

[eml58]

These videos by Syl Arena on the Canon web site may help.

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/syl_arena_speedlite_600exrt_seminar.shtml

 

[Arctic Photo]

This is CR forum at its best. I'm learning slot from this thread being a light beginner also.

 

[StephenC]

This is CR forum at its best. I'm learning slot from this thread being a light beginner also.

I agree. So here is my first example:

I know the composition is awful and the background is fussy (but the subject is somewhat dear to me). I used the 24-70mm in Av mode (with the Camera set to keep the shutter between 1/60 and 1/200) and had the flash in simple ETTL mode, mounted on the camera and pointed straight ahead - i.e. in simple mode! I'm pretty happy with the result - it has had no post-processing beyond that which Aperture does on import.

 

[Jim Saunders]

I agree. So here is my first example:

I know the composition is awful and the background is fussy (but the subject is somewhat dear to me). I used the 24-70mm in Av mode (with the Camera set to keep the shutter between 1/60 and 1/200) and had the flash in simple ETTL mode, mounted on the camera and pointed straight ahead - i.e. in simple mode! I'm pretty happy with the result - it has had no post-processing beyond that which Aperture does on import.

Good shot, first time or not! I don't know if you tried different settings to get the flash and the background roughly even there, but that is one thing to try. You can do it with an object with a sunset behind it, mess around and see what gets you the detail in the sky and the fill on your subject.

Jim

 

[StephenC]

All shots of my son are good shots, then again I am biased! Essentially I achieved what I set out to do, which was work out the basic controls of the flash and how to get it and the camera to work together with minimal fuss. For now I am content to stick with this 'a bit beyond point and shoot' mentality, but as I digest the various resources mentioned here I have a camera and flash that will let me work up to more sophisticated scenarios.

 

[Jim Saunders]

All shots of my son are good shots, then again I am biased! Essentially I achieved what I set out to do, which was work out the basic controls of the flash and how to get it and the camera to work together with minimal fuss. For now I am content to stick with this 'a bit beyond point and shoot' mentality, but as I digest the various resources mentioned here I have a camera and flash that will let me work up to more sophisticated scenarios.

In that case I'm curious to see how it comes together for you!

Jim

 

[PaulTopol]

Shutter Speed controls ambient light and Aperture controls flash.

It disturbs me when people say that, especially to the inexperienced. Whilst it has some truth in that shutter speed does not affect flash power when below max sync, it is misleading in that aperture does affect ambient and flash (if the flash is in M and you don't change the power level).

Don't be disturbed.
Play with all the variables until you find what works for you. Don't poopoo what the experts teach.
One has to have some basics to build on otherwise it is the blind leading the blind.

There really is only one rule:
make sure enough light hits the sensor to give you the pic you want.
3 basic variables: iso, f-stop, shutter speed.
If you don't have a foundation to build on then you cannot make any intelligent changes to how you use your tools i.e. your camera and lights/lighting.
So: Given your chosen iso then Shutter speed controls ambient and f-stop controls flash. See what happens when you try to control flash with your shutter speed. Not much effect!
Sure you can control ambient with f-stop, but it also controls flash.
The man is a beginner with flash. Has a long and fun road to learn. Give him some basics to start with instead of knocking what experts say.

Have a great day

Paul

 

[StephenC]

I'm not sure if I haven't expressed myself poorly.

It is not that I am unwilling to learn from the experts here. Far from it, everybody has been so helpful. It is more that I don't use my camera every day, or even every week, so want to pace myself and learn to 'walk before I run'. My initial goal was to just get the flash working for me to get a respectable shutter speed for indoor shots. I think I am pretty much there so now need to practice this and put it into action.

If I seem reluctant to jump to doing all the things recommended here it is partly that I want to get to grips with each before I try the next and partly that I want to keep things relatively simple so I can continue to enjoy photography, rather than make it a chore. My reluctance to switch to M mode partly stems from my penis-up that caused me to buy a flash in the first place, namely somehow switching my camera to a fixed ISO of 100 and then wondering why all my shutter speeds were so long! For now, I am happy to let the little camera brain do some of the thinking, as mine can't do it all!

I have already learnt a lot from this forum thread and I now have links to a whole pile of resources, which I will gradually digest and try to use to advance my photography. This will be a slow process though as I have other pressures on my time.

I really appreciate the help I have received here.

 

[PaulTopol]

Go take pictures. have fun. make mistakes. we all do. all part of the learning.

ask questions.

not even the professionals take perfect pics with every shot.

flash is a great tool. just needs practice.

Paul

 

[privatebydesign]

This is CR forum at its best. I'm learning slot from this thread being a light beginner also.

I agree. So here is my first example:

I know the composition is awful and the background is fussy (but the subject is somewhat dear to me). I used the 24-70mm in Av mode (with the Camera set to keep the shutter between 1/60 and 1/200) and had the flash in simple ETTL mode, mounted on the camera and pointed straight ahead - i.e. in simple mode! I'm pretty happy with the result - it has had no post-processing beyond that which Aperture does on import.

Excellent, you are not being pushed into running and stumbling before you are happy walking , as I said earlier camera in Av and flash in ETTL really is how this stuff is best used initially.

 

[privatebydesign]

Shutter Speed controls ambient light and Aperture controls flash.

It disturbs me when people say that, especially to the inexperienced. Whilst it has some truth in that shutter speed does not affect flash power when below max sync, it is misleading in that aperture does affect ambient and flash (if the flash is in M and you don't change the power level).

Don't be disturbed.
Play with all the variables until you find what works for you. Don't poopoo what the experts teach.
One has to have some basics to build on otherwise it is the blind leading the blind.

There really is only one rule:
make sure enough light hits the sensor to give you the pic you want.
3 basic variables: iso, f-stop, shutter speed.
If you don't have a foundation to build on then you cannot make any intelligent changes to how you use your tools i.e. your camera and lights/lighting.
So: Given your chosen iso then Shutter speed controls ambient and f-stop controls flash. See what happens when you try to control flash with your shutter speed. Not much effect!
Sure you can control ambient with f-stop, but it also controls flash.
The man is a beginner with flash. Has a long and fun road to learn. Give him some basics to start with instead of knocking what experts say.

Have a great day

Paul

You misunderstand my point, besides, it very much depends on the expertise of the expert. The problem with your comment is that it isn't good advice and it isn't true, it is shorthand IF you set your two exposures up in a certain way. If you set your flash exposure first to taste then it is true, if you set your ambient first it is not true.

Think like this, I have my subject at dusk, I want the background to be 2 stops under, I set my background exposure at f8 and 1/30 sec, I now introduce my subject and flash, even at full power I can't get my subject where I need it, so I open my aperture two stops, well my ambient is now not two stops under exposed, your shorthand doesn't help the inexperienced and they don't understand what happened. Conversely, get your subject and flash exposure dialed in to full power and f4, now adjust your shutter speed to 1/125 and you are golden, both exposures are where you wanted them.

Your statement is only accurate if you also say set your flash/subject exposure first.

I agree with building foundations, I don't agree they should have fundamental cracks in them.

 

[PaulTopol]

I am sure you are right in your description but you seem to be experienced and he appears not to be.

I think you are over-complicating it for a beginner.

Have certain basics in your mind and then alter to taste.

With experience comes the realisation that you can vary everything and end up with shots that wow.
But you have to start somewhere.!
Paul

 

[Hjalmarg1]

Hi all, I'm a bit of a photography novice so am looking for some advice. I have just ordered a Speedlite 600EX-RT (and was persuaded to get an ST-E3-RT at the same time!). The reason for this was that I was having trouble getting non-blurry photos at a recent family gathering. It tuned out I had accidentally switched the ISO from Auto to 100, but by the time I discovered this I had paid for the flash! There have been a few occasions when I genuinely needed a flash so I'm not too worried.

From the above, it is clear I don't really know what I am doing. Can anybody point me to a "flashes for dummies" primer so I can take advantage of my new kit? I do landscapes (which are unlikely to need a flash), portraits and wildlife mostly (all amateur). I recently bought the 100mm macro (2.8L), which is probably where the flash will be of most use. I'm guessing the secret here is to have the flash off camera, which is why I didn't protest too much about getting the ST-E3.

I'm using a 5D mkIII and also have the 24-70 mkII and 70-200 (f4L).

You have very good gear, as others have mentioned, do not spend more money until you learn how to use it.
There is a book call "Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide" that I red it and help me a lot in understanding speedlites. The new 600EX-RT is not included but the lighting principles are the same.