Flash Turtorials ?

*daacon* · 06-17-2007, 11:55 AM

I recently purchased the 540 flash for my K10D (here actually from pentaxshooter). I have used it in a couple of sessions, one outside at a Safe Grad party for my daughter (where I was 'security' for a shift) and another inside at a church for a school function.

Some of the shots came out great, others not so good. I used P-TTL / Digital / Auto /Trailing curtain. As I am pretty new to this I am not sure when to use the built in diffuser, white card, when to point the flash directly at the subjects, when to bounce. Basically I know squat and learning by trail and error which is not so bad, except I don't always remember what worked

I went to the local chapters and did not see many books on flash photograph. I could Google and will - but was wondering if anyone here has some good web sites , books, general tips and techniques they could recommend.

thx..........Dave

pixelpruner · 06-17-2007, 12:42 PM

Although I haven't even got an external flash for my K10D (I really hate using flashes, so I generally just avoid them like the plague), I used one on an olympus a while back quite a bit. To be honest I found it was pretty much common sense. If you point the flash straight at someone in low light their face goes white and shiny. mmmm! bouncing is not complex at all, and can work very effectively, but of course the location very much dictates whether it will be successful. Otherwise there are various diffusers (not just the standard rectangular ones) that can produce far more favourable results by making a more natural lighting effect than sticking a huge flash of white light on whatever you're taking a picture of.

But what do I know? Nothing....lol

roscot · 06-18-2007, 03:12 AM

I rarely use a flash pointed straight at a subject without some kind of modifier on the flash. Bouncing the flash works the best for me. If the walls are to far away, or the ceiling to high, I use a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer. LumiQuest® Photographic Accessories | Pocket Bouncer If I must shoot straight ahead, I use a Lumiquest Softbox. LumiQuest® Photographic Accessories | Softbox Both fold flat so they are easy to store and transport. They cost less than US$20 each. Another option is the Gary Fong Lightsphere. http://www.garyfong.com/ I have not tried these myself, but I seen and read of very good results with it.

A good web site to start with some help is the Strobist site.
Strobist: Welcome to Strobist.

Hope this helps

*daacon* · 06-18-2007, 03:03 PM

I'll check it out thx ... so I take the pieces that come with 540 (a little white card and a plastic cover to go over the flash) are just not enough.

mikebob · 06-18-2007, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by daacon

I'll check it out thx ... so I take the pieces that come with 540 (a little white card and a plastic cover to go over the flash) are just not enough.

My understanding of the "little white card and a plastic cover to go over the flash"
are as follows:

The white card is designed to put that "gleam" in the eye of your subject. You point the flash straight up, pull the card out, and shoot your subject. They then have that "pleasing" gleam in their eyes.

EDIT: They call it a catch-light, DOH

"Built-in catch-light panel, which is useful and effective in portrait photography."

The "plastic cover" is designed to spread the flash when using a wide-angle lense. I don't remember how wide you need it for. I want to say around 24mm?? I'll have to look it up in the manual.

EDIT: From Pentax's Japan news site: "Built-in wide-angle panel that slides out to cover 20mm angle of view (in 35mm format)."

Mike

*daacon* · 06-18-2007, 04:26 PM

thx Mike I am suppose to be getting the Manual soon - will have to read it for sure (such a guy haha , put the flash on and just start snapping shots ask questions later ....)

ghegde · 06-18-2007, 09:59 PM

All

I have been using 540 for a while. I user it only when there is ablsolutely no other choice. In most cases, I use the flash with Stofen diffuser (in close range). Results are great when the background is DARK (or not too light).

I have noticed that I get too much under exposure when the background is light colored e.g white wall. I am yet to figure out the best setting in such cases.

I still like NO FLASH photography, so ended up buying a 50mm/1.4 lens and may buy DA* 2.8 when they are avaialble !!

Have fun