A little help please!

Sir SR

Sir SR

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Shaheed
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Hi there

I've had a couple of speedlights in my bag which I've neglected of late, so I thought I'd use them a bit more. Had a quick play with the camera on my trusted model!!

I was struggling to get my head around what settings to use for off camera fill - in the end it was manual settings with trial and error. Is this the only way to do it or is this why one might need a light meter? I basically exposed for the background and hand held the SB900 (triggered via the CLS) bounced off my white T-shirt!

I'd be grateful for any advice. All comments welcomed as its the only way to get better!

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Filling in at bedtime 2 by Sir SR, on Flickr

2)


Filling in at bedtime 1 by Sir SR, on Flickr
 
No need for a flash meter. You can judge the flash ratios quite well off the LCD, providing you can see it okay (ie not in bright sun). And use the histogram/blinkies as normal to assess overall exposure.

Many people prefer manual for this kind of thing, as auto modes can sometimes change a little unpredictably and their benefit is really in speed of use. If you're bothering to set up a couple of guns, it's just as easy to use manual anyway.

But you can use the Nikon's CLS system if you prefer, and adjust the ratios from the camera. I'm not familar with Nikon, but with Canon it's easy as pie. See handbook.
 
HoppyUK said:
No need for a flash meter. You can judge the flash ratios quite well off the LCD, providing you can see it okay (ie not in bright sun). And use the histogram/blinkies as normal to assess overall exposure.

Many people prefer manual for this kind of thing, as auto modes can sometimes change a little unpredictably and their benefit is really in speed of use. If you're bothering to set up a couple of guns, it's just as easy to use manual anyway.

But you can use the Nikon's CLS system if you prefer, and adjust the ratios from the camera. I'm not familar with Nikon, but with Canon it's easy as pie. See handbook.
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Thanks. I did use the manual mode, just used the CLS as a trigger as I don't have any other triggers! I kept dialling down the power from the D90 flash control menu as per LCD/guessogram!

I think I might have over complicated it.....I think next time I might just expose for the background and use ttl mode?

I guess I just wondered if the light meter might make it quicker - as I mainly shoot the kids who get bored quickly?

Thanks for the help - appreciated!

S
 
Sir SR said:
Thanks. I did use the manual mode, just used the CLS as a trigger as I don't have any other triggers! I kept dialling down the power from the D90 flash control menu as per LCD/guessogram!

I think I might have over complicated it.....I think next time I might just expose for the background and use ttl mode?

I guess I just wondered if the light meter might make it quicker - as I mainly shoot the kids who get bored quickly?

Thanks for the help - appreciated!

S
Click to expand...

In auto flash mode, the camera will set both the ambient exposure and the flash exposure for you, according to what it thinks is best. Flash ratios are tricky for an auto system, and just how much fill-in you like is also subjective, so be prepared to use the compensation controls. You can adjust flash and ambient independently.

Bearing in mind that flash exposure is very senitive to distance (inverse square law*) iTTL is very good for kids. Suggest you use that if they're moving about - and forget using a flash meter for that!

*when the flash to subject distance is halved/doubled, the exposure is quadrupled/quartered. Basically small changes make a big difference.
 
Shaheed, I will bring up my sekonic L508 when I come up next. I think it can be used with flashes etc. I use it with my film kit mainly for spot metering but you are welcome to have a look!
 
Looks like you are doing something right to me, these are great.

I tend to meter for the background. Then using a trigger or the cls use the flash in manual to light the subject. I tend to turn the onboard flash to -- so it only triggers the off camera flash and doesn't effect the image. Or to the very minimum at least, because I'm sure it must have some effect.
 
surfg1mp said:
Looks like you are doing something right to me, these are great.

I tend to meter for the background. Then using a trigger or the cls use the flash in manual to light the subject. I tend to turn the onboard flash to -- so it only triggers the off camera flash and doesn't effect the image. Or to the very minimum at least, because I'm sure it must have some effect.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I did meter for the b/g in manual mode and used the sb900 on camera with the head swivelled and diffused in manual mode. Had to be quick as my daughter was just about finished with my monster munch! When I've used cls I've used the ir plate that sits in the hotshoe and folds in front of the on camera flash.

S
 
surfg1mp said:
Having the flash off the camera would have made these great images even more dynamic.
Click to expand...

I agree, but with the kids temporarily still, it was a smash and grab raid - we're on a picnic rug and I'm lying flat on the ground!

Next time maybe! I did get some funny looks from people having my flash in the bright daytime!

S
 
Hi I would use flash on camera on TTL setting,try and do some test shot to get the shutter and aperture correct good luck !
 
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