Need advice!

[vivientan]

I just started digital and am having such a hard time balancing flash and exposure!:sweat:

How can I improve the photo below to get a correct exposure? Have this problem of over-exposing the white outfit, while faces and background are badly underexposed.

Photo taken with 5D + 3600HS. F5.6; 1/30; ISO400; Focal Length 28mm

Some questions :
1. What camera exposure to use for such a situation?
2. What angle should I tilt my flash? Flash compensation?
3. Is it better to go on M or A mode?

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

I just started digital and am having such a hard time balancing flash and exposure!:sweat:

How can I improve the photo below to get a correct exposure? Have this problem of over-exposing the white outfit, while faces and background are badly underexposed.

Photo taken with 5D + 3600HS. F5.6; 1/30; ISO400; Focal Length 28mm

Some questions :
1. What camera exposure to use for such a situation?
2. What angle should I tilt my flash? Flash compensation?
3. Is it better to go on M or A mode?

your link got problem...

 

[vivientan]

your link got problem...

Hiya, always got problem attaching photos here. Here's the url :
http://vivientan.clubsnap.org/gallery/album13/PICT0046

 

[zcf]

Seem tricky to me, can ceiling bounce or not? Otherwise not sure Gary Fong's Light Sphere PJ will help on not, as usually it will highlight more on the head instead of the body (either the flash with an angle or ceiling bounce.

 

[vivientan]

Seem tricky to me, can ceiling bounce or not? Otherwise not sure Gary Fong's Light Sphere PJ will help on not, as usually it will highlight more on the head instead of the body (either the flash with an angle or ceiling bounce.

I'm using 3600HS, so not possible to do ceiling bounce. What's more the ceiling is quite high, so the bottom of my subjects might end up under-exposed.

Not sure if this might help. Do an exposure reading on the groom's outfit using A mode, then lock that exposure. Thereafter, shoot with flash compensation of -1EV. Then again, background will appear even darker.

 

[zcf]

Help you post

not only background, the faces will also be dark also :sweat:

The dynamic range of DSLR is much lower then film, that's why all highlight on DSLR will be blown easily.

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

I just started digital and am having such a hard time balancing flash and exposure!:sweat:

How can I improve the photo below to get a correct exposure? Have this problem of over-exposing the white outfit, while faces and background are badly underexposed.

Photo taken with 5D + 3600HS. F5.6; 1/30; ISO400; Focal Length 28mm

Some questions :
1. What camera exposure to use for such a situation?
2. What angle should I tilt my flash? Flash compensation?
3. Is it better to go on M or A mode?

after i see the picture...

i think u need a lightsphere, den just point up with a inverted dome, finish... and minus that big shadow behind...

normally i use my 7D with 5600, with f5.6, 1/20, iso400, focal length 17 (before 1.5 crop) no problem... and i use only M mode... sulhan said can use A mode, use the (forget simi button... hehe... the one use thumb to press 1...)

 

[dynaxattack]

I'm using 3600HS, so not possible to do ceiling bounce. What's more the ceiling is quite high, so the bottom of my subjects might end up under-exposed.

Why cant you bounce? Your 3600HS is capable of reaching 36m @ ISO100. Pretty well covered even for a 10m high ceiling.

You can also try to use a diffuser like lightsphere or stofen to throw some lights to your subject while bouncing. If you find the ceiling to high for your flash, use a higher ISO and keep your shutter speed to 1/30. Should be good enough even for a 8R print.

Dont fred! Its usual for many as these kinda shots are always very very difficult. Just imagine another scenario, get it right for the bride's white gown and groom's black tux. :sweat: Keep on shooting and experimenting.

 

[pai]

sulhan said can use A mode, use the (forget simi button... hehe... the one use thumb to press 1...)

AEL button issit? to activate slow sync flash?

Why cant you bounce? Your 3600HS is capable of reaching 36m @ ISO100. Pretty well covered even for a 10m high ceiling.

maybe because this is a vertical shot, and the 3600 cannot swivel? time to get those flipping brackets or a new flash liao :devil:

sorry ah, don't mind i kaypo. dunno anything about flash also, only use on insects, not people.

 

[dynaxattack]

maybe because this is a vertical shot, and the 3600 cannot swivel? time to get those flipping brackets or a new flash liao :devil:

sorry ah, don't mind i kaypo. dunno anything about flash also, only use on insects, not people.

How silly of me...:sweat: ! Yeh flash bracket helps or bounce sideways (if wall is available) with a diffuser.

But if u wanna upgrade to a 5600...:think: ...let me know ar. Might need a backup flash. :bsmilie:

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

AEL button issit? to activate slow sync flash?


maybe because this is a vertical shot, and the 3600 cannot swivel? time to get those flipping brackets or a new flash liao :devil:

sorry ah, don't mind i kaypo. dunno anything about flash also, only use on insects, not people.

u can imagine how long since i last touch my camera liao... :bsmilie:

 

[vivientan]

How silly of me...:sweat: ! Yeh flash bracket helps or bounce sideways (if wall is available) with a diffuser.

But if u wanna upgrade to a 5600...:think: ...let me know ar. Might need a backup flash. :bsmilie:

I had an omni bounce on at 60 degrees. The 3600 is not mine leh, borrowed from a kind Minolta brother here.

Hiya no walls for me to bounce lah. The couple was marching in right in the middle of the ballroom, how to find a wall? :bsmilie:

 

[zcf]

probably better invest in a HS5600 (D) flash, which should help in these situation :think: .

 

[vivientan]

after i see the picture...

i think u need a lightsphere, den just point up with a inverted dome, finish... and minus that big shadow behind...

normally i use my 7D with 5600, with f5.6, 1/20, iso400, focal length 17 (before 1.5 crop) no problem... and i use only M mode... sulhan said can use A mode, use the (forget simi button... hehe... the one use thumb to press 1...)

Do u have a sample of a photo taken with the settings u mentioned above? Wanna see hows the effect like and the difference with mine.

How does a lightsphere look like? How does it work? Paiseh lah, I very sua ku. :embrass:

 

[vivientan]

For such tricky situation, besides using a lightsphere or bounce flash as mentioned, do u guys compensate for flash?

 

[zcf]

LS II PJ website,
http://store.garyfonginc.com/liiido.html
It's a bit expensive, and has limited working length (0.5m-3m?), and need some experience to get use to. But it does work.
Can be purchase from CP at $89.

 

[pai]

For such tricky situation, besides using a lightsphere or bounce flash as mentioned, do u guys compensate for flash?

when using bounce flash or off-camera flash, the camera will automatically switch to p-ttl metering, so *theoretically* no need to compensate. i not pro, don't do events, but at friends' parties etc, usually i find that bounce flash off the ceiling/walls give very good results without any compensation. for this kind of 10m ceiling in a big hall situation, i can't advise lah, if give me to shoot, will just turn out a lot of pix of ppl with shiny forehead.

i take it that you shoot for a living? if so, just go get the 5600, all the extra features are worth it. i bought a sigma flash to save $100+, in the end sigma wanna charge me $185 to make flash compatible with 5D, wanna shoot wired also have to get os-1100 cos no built-in terminal. give myself trouble only.

 

[KCLow]

I had an omni bounce on at 60 degrees. The 3600 is not mine leh, borrowed from a kind Minolta brother here.

Hiya no walls for me to bounce lah. The couple was marching in right in the middle of the ballroom, how to find a wall? :bsmilie:

I faced the same situation with my 3600HSD, but worked around by handholding the flash and firing it wirelessly at the ceiling. Since I seldom shoot like this, it works well enough for me.

 

[dynaxattack]

For such tricky situation, besides using a lightsphere or bounce flash as mentioned, do u guys compensate for flash?

Why not if the situation calls for it. Press your Function button on your 5D, then add Flash Compensation until you feel comfortable.

 

[vivientan]

One more question....For indoor shoots like this, do u guys put it on auto white balance or other options? My photos turn out too warm for my liking.