Exposure Help Alien Bees outside Wedding

mgruebmeyer · 05-22-2017, 04:20 PM

Hi, all and thanks, in advance, for the help.

I'm shooting a very small outdoor wedding and will likely need to overpower midday sun. I need help making sure I'm prepared.

Pentax K-5II (or backup, rented K-3), with Tamron 17-50 F2.8 (or rented 50-135 f2.8), with Alienbee b800, with 51in umbrella, on a stick with an assistant or on a stand if its quiet. Only 20 or so guests, so I'll be able to set up pretty close (maybe 20 feet, flash to subject) and send light over guests. I'm expecting to be shooting into the sun and countering the resulting shadows with AB.

Two questions:
(1) Reactions to setup generally?
(2) Best process to determine flash power setting, assuming max sync speed of 1/160.
ps: no light meter

Thanks!

mg

**clackers** · 05-22-2017, 08:58 PM - **2 Likes**

Seems fine, MG.

Without a light meter, use trial and error to set the power. Begin at say, 1/8 and dial up and down until you're happy with the skin tone colours.

Practice before, not on, the day.

**pcrichmond** · 05-22-2017, 09:18 PM - **1 Like**

I have the older AB Zeus and find the 1250 pack more than strong enough for mid day sun. As Clackers said, without a meter dial in your exposure before the event. I usually start with the flash 1/4 to 1/8 power and the camera about 2 stops under exposed from ambient, then adjust flash as needed. Also remember if you want a shallow DOF you can use an ND filter to help open up the aperture.

Culture · 05-22-2017, 10:55 PM - **1 Like**

Make some tests. Get a friend to stand where you feel the couple and the AB will be on a bright sunny day as you anticipate.
Then you change settings until you are satisfied. You start with those settings at the location.

If you are getting over exposure because the sun is too bright and fstop and ISO settings are maxed out, dont be shy about stopping down more. Even going as far as f22.
The idea is to get the shot worry about possible diffraction later. Most non photograhers will not see this.

I was in your boat two weeks ago. The guys here were very helpful Help! Wedding photoshoot planning. - PentaxForums.com

Culture.

dcpropilot · 05-23-2017, 08:12 AM

if you can afford it, get a Sekonic L-308S-U Flashmate Light Meter. Then you can determine the ambient and match the strobe to the ambient (or expose the stobe to be a stop greater than the ambient, whatever your preference is). Also perhaps get a 67mm ND filter https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1298968-REG/b_w_1089228_xs_pro_67mm_nano_mc_806.html

mgruebmeyer · 05-23-2017, 03:41 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks, all!
I have a variable nd, as is suggested. What is the feeling about using polarizers to get a stop or two, if that is all that is needed to get to a better aperture and sync speed?

**clackers** · 05-23-2017, 04:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mgruebmeyer

Thanks, all!
I have a variable nd, as is suggested. What is the feeling about using polarizers to get a stop or two, if that is all that is needed to get to a better aperture and sync speed?

Yeah, that works too, for a couple of stops.

mgruebmeyer · 05-26-2017, 02:08 PM

So, the sek 308 came yesterday. Can tell how useful already!
If my correct ambient exposure is 1/160sec, f8, iso 100 and my non cord flash mode reads f8 when I fire my flash, that means 50% flash contribution, right?

05-22-2017, 04:20 PM	#1
mgruebmeyer New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 12	Exposure Help Alien Bees outside Wedding Hi, all and thanks, in advance, for the help. I'm shooting a very small outdoor wedding and will likely need to overpower midday sun. I need help making sure I'm prepared. Pentax K-5II (or backup, rented K-3), with Tamron 17-50 F2.8 (or rented 50-135 f2.8), with Alienbee b800, with 51in umbrella, on a stick with an assistant or on a stand if its quiet. Only 20 or so guests, so I'll be able to set up pretty close (maybe 20 feet, flash to subject) and send light over guests. I'm expecting to be shooting into the sun and countering the resulting shadows with AB. Two questions: (1) Reactions to setup generally? (2) Best process to determine flash power setting, assuming max sync speed of 1/160. ps: no light meter Thanks! mg

05-23-2017, 08:12 AM	#5
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	if you can afford it, get a Sekonic L-308S-U Flashmate Light Meter. Then you can determine the ambient and match the strobe to the ambient (or expose the stobe to be a stop greater than the ambient, whatever your preference is). Also perhaps get a 67mm ND filter https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1298968-REG/b_w_1089228_xs_pro_67mm_nano_mc_806.html Last edited by dcpropilot; 05-23-2017 at 08:21 AM.

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05-22-2017, 08:58 PM - 2 Likes	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Seems fine, MG. Without a light meter, use trial and error to set the power. Begin at say, 1/8 and dial up and down until you're happy with the skin tone colours. Practice before, not on, the day.

05-22-2017, 09:18 PM - 1 Like	#3
pcrichmond Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bishop, CA Posts: 278	I have the older AB Zeus and find the 1250 pack more than strong enough for mid day sun. As Clackers said, without a meter dial in your exposure before the event. I usually start with the flash 1/4 to 1/8 power and the camera about 2 stops under exposed from ambient, then adjust flash as needed. Also remember if you want a shallow DOF you can use an ND filter to help open up the aperture.

05-22-2017, 10:55 PM - 1 Like	#4
Culture Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Vaasa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 818	Make some tests. Get a friend to stand where you feel the couple and the AB will be on a bright sunny day as you anticipate. Then you change settings until you are satisfied. You start with those settings at the location. If you are getting over exposure because the sun is too bright and fstop and ISO settings are maxed out, dont be shy about stopping down more. Even going as far as f22. The idea is to get the shot worry about possible diffraction later. Most non photograhers will not see this. I was in your boat two weeks ago. The guys here were very helpful Help! Wedding photoshoot planning. - PentaxForums.com Culture.

05-23-2017, 03:41 PM - 1 Like	#6
mgruebmeyer New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks, all! I have a variable nd, as is suggested. What is the feeling about using polarizers to get a stop or two, if that is all that is needed to get to a better aperture and sync speed?

05-23-2017, 04:36 PM - 1 Like	#7
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by mgruebmeyer Thanks, all! I have a variable nd, as is suggested. What is the feeling about using polarizers to get a stop or two, if that is all that is needed to get to a better aperture and sync speed? Yeah, that works too, for a couple of stops.

05-26-2017, 02:08 PM	#8
mgruebmeyer New Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 12 Original Poster	So, the sek 308 came yesterday. Can tell how useful already! If my correct ambient exposure is 1/160sec, f8, iso 100 and my non cord flash mode reads f8 when I fire my flash, that means 50% flash contribution, right?