5D11, flash and Gary Fong doo da, but how?

[Shutterbox]

OK, never really played with on camera flash, have the opportunity to have a play tomorrow at a wedding reception (just for fun).

I have a 5D11, 550EX flash,Gary Fong original lightsphere and a light meter.

Whenever I have used the flash on camera in the past, I have just left the camera on auto and the flash on ETTL, results have been pretty dire.

Anyone have a similar set-up and would like to give me a simple procedure I can follow to gat some half decent flash photos of individuals and small groups, inside and outside?

Happy to try without the Lightsphere too but want to use it if at all possible, so lets not turn this into a Lightsphere love it or loathe it thread please.

I have it and want to try and use it if at all possible.

Thanks

 

[On the Huh]

set camera to AV mode, set at 2.8 or f4. set ISO until you get a shutter speed of around 1/60.(prob 800 to 1600) Never used a GF, only a bounce card, but gives similar effect I think.

Do a few test shots and adjust if needed. May want to use some FEC.

 

[On the Huh]

Or set on Manual, 1/60 f2.8 iso 1600 flash on ettl and adjust from there.

 

[Shutterbox]

Or set on Manual, 1/60 f2.8 iso 1600 flash on ettl and adjust from there.

Thanks, I will try them both.

I assumed the easiest option would be to use the lightmeter which I have used outside occasionally without a problem, but that obviously works differently in flash mode and is just confusing the issue.

Thanks

 

[jdfotos]

+1 for manual. You will learn more. Ditch the fong dong. Point that flash up/behind you/sideways and bounce it. Use your camera settings to set exposure for ambient, and let the ETTL expose your subject. This way you can underexpose your background and make your subjects pop a bit. If they still look too dark, add some FEC to brighten them up. Note the effects of changing ISO.

Hope this helps, I'm no expert, just spent the last few months learning, playing with flash on and off camera.