flash techniques anyone?

jay legere · 02-12-2008, 07:28 AM

Hi,

I started using my new af-360 last night. I was very satisfied with the results, especially when bouncing.

I would like to know if any of you have techniques, besides bouncing, that makes one believe a flash wasn't used at all...while connected to the camera

...(accessories yet to be aquired)

Thahnks for the responses.

AVANT · 02-12-2008, 09:27 AM

Use gels to match the ambient color lighting. Use more than one flash, shooting at different power levels. Have these lights off camera.

jshurak · 02-12-2008, 09:47 AM

slow your shutter speed to raise the exposure on the background. the distance your flash is from the subject makes a pretty hefty difference.

here's a good place to start. Learn to Light. Strobist 101

Clem Nichols · 02-12-2008, 11:05 AM

here's a good place to start. Learn to Light. Strobist 101[/QUOTE]

Very good advice indeed!

CN

roy · 02-12-2008, 07:23 PM

get the flash off camera.. whole new world..

jay legere · 02-13-2008, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by roy

get the flash off camera.. whole new world..

I got it off the camera last night. However, I noticed wireless is not an option in green mode...which of course makes it easier as I learn.

When most photographers shoot in manual while using the flash, is it a general rule that they will have to constantly play around until everything works out. Shooting manual with the camera alone is a breeze for me, but now with the flash, it is a whole new ballgame.

Why is my metering within my camera while manual telling me I am under exposed and yet it insists I stay well under exposed while using the flash. If I try to set my levels as if there was no flash being used at all, then fire the flash, everything is blown out.

Gooshin · 02-13-2008, 10:40 AM

what sucks about off camera flash, is that you cant manual focus

and we all know how good pentax's autofocus systems are

jshurak · 02-13-2008, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by jay legere

I got it off the camera last night. However, I noticed wireless is not an option in green mode...which of course makes it easier as I learn.

When most photographers shoot in manual while using the flash, is it a general rule that they will have to constantly play around until everything works out. Shooting manual with the camera alone is a breeze for me, but now with the flash, it is a whole new ballgame.

Why is my metering within my camera while manual telling me I am under exposed and yet it insists I stay well under exposed while using the flash. If I try to set my levels as if there was no flash being used at all, then fire the flash, everything is blown out.

Learn in manual mode. I couldn't imagine any other way. Setting your exposure with a flash is an entirely different game. To expose the subject (what's being lit by the flash), its a matter of flash power and aperture. To bring your ambient light and background into balance with the subject its a matter of shutter speed. This shouldn't make a difference if its on or off camera. I really can't stress reading the lighting 101 enough. Read it....then read it again.....then read the on assignments and lighting 102. You should have all the answers you'll ever need.

Originally posted by Gooshin

what sucks about off camera flash, is that you cant manual focus

and we all know how good pentax's autofocus systems are

I'm not sure what you mean Gooshin. I don't see why you couldn't manually focus....do you mean zooming with the flash? (different terms same meaning?)

Gooshin · 02-13-2008, 11:07 AM

if you have the camera in one hand, and the flash in the other, how you gonna focus?

jshurak · 02-13-2008, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Gooshin

if you have the camera in one hand, and the flash in the other, how you gonna focus?

fair enough! I suppose you'd need a bracket!

Jay - also, When I shoot with a flash, i don't use the light meter whatsoever. Film is not an issue anymore, so I set my flash power and aperture, shoot and check. You can usually get a good exposure with 1 or 2 test shots.

02-12-2008, 07:28 AM	#1
jay legere New Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: !qaluit, Canada Posts: 19	flash techniques anyone? Hi, I started using my new af-360 last night. I was very satisfied with the results, especially when bouncing. I would like to know if any of you have techniques, besides bouncing, that makes one believe a flash wasn't used at all...while connected to the camera...(accessories yet to be aquired) Thahnks for the responses.

02-13-2008, 09:57 AM	#6
jay legere New Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: !qaluit, Canada Posts: 19 Original Poster	wireless fun;( Originally posted by roy get the flash off camera.. whole new world.. I got it off the camera last night. However, I noticed wireless is not an option in green mode...which of course makes it easier as I learn. When most photographers shoot in manual while using the flash, is it a general rule that they will have to constantly play around until everything works out. Shooting manual with the camera alone is a breeze for me, but now with the flash, it is a whole new ballgame. Why is my metering within my camera while manual telling me I am under exposed and yet it insists I stay well under exposed while using the flash. If I try to set my levels as if there was no flash being used at all, then fire the flash, everything is blown out.

02-13-2008, 11:04 AM	#8
jshurak Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 626	Originally posted by jay legere I got it off the camera last night. However, I noticed wireless is not an option in green mode...which of course makes it easier as I learn. When most photographers shoot in manual while using the flash, is it a general rule that they will have to constantly play around until everything works out. Shooting manual with the camera alone is a breeze for me, but now with the flash, it is a whole new ballgame. Why is my metering within my camera while manual telling me I am under exposed and yet it insists I stay well under exposed while using the flash. If I try to set my levels as if there was no flash being used at all, then fire the flash, everything is blown out. Learn in manual mode. I couldn't imagine any other way. Setting your exposure with a flash is an entirely different game. To expose the subject (what's being lit by the flash), its a matter of flash power and aperture. To bring your ambient light and background into balance with the subject its a matter of shutter speed. This shouldn't make a difference if its on or off camera. I really can't stress reading the lighting 101 enough. Read it....then read it again.....then read the on assignments and lighting 102. You should have all the answers you'll ever need. Originally posted by Gooshin what sucks about off camera flash, is that you cant manual focus and we all know how good pentax's autofocus systems are I'm not sure what you mean Gooshin. I don't see why you couldn't manually focus....do you mean zooming with the flash? (different terms same meaning?) Last edited by jshurak; 02-13-2008 at 11:33 AM.

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02-12-2008, 09:27 AM	#2
AVANT Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Posts: 426	Use gels to match the ambient color lighting. Use more than one flash, shooting at different power levels. Have these lights off camera.

02-12-2008, 09:47 AM	#3
jshurak Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 626	slow your shutter speed to raise the exposure on the background. the distance your flash is from the subject makes a pretty hefty difference. here's a good place to start. Learn to Light. Strobist 101

02-12-2008, 11:05 AM	#4
Clem Nichols Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Munfordville, Ky. Photos: Gallery Posts: 370	here's a good place to start. Learn to Light. Strobist 101[/QUOTE] Very good advice indeed! CN

02-12-2008, 07:23 PM	#5
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	get the flash off camera.. whole new world..

02-13-2008, 10:40 AM	#7
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	what sucks about off camera flash, is that you cant manual focus and we all know how good pentax's autofocus systems are

02-13-2008, 11:07 AM	#9
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	if you have the camera in one hand, and the flash in the other, how you gonna focus?

02-13-2008, 11:10 AM	#10
jshurak Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 626	Originally posted by Gooshin if you have the camera in one hand, and the flash in the other, how you gonna focus? fair enough! I suppose you'd need a bracket! Jay - also, When I shoot with a flash, i don't use the light meter whatsoever. Film is not an issue anymore, so I set my flash power and aperture, shoot and check. You can usually get a good exposure with 1 or 2 test shots.