FEC - When do I dial up and when do I dial down?

[GaryK26]

What is the general rule of thumb when it comes to FEC?
Using TTL flash metering, what situations would I dial in Negative FEC and what situations Positive FEC?

This is in relation to a wedding that I'm second shooting tomorrow, so typical scenarios would be formals and candids outside the church or reception, and inside during the evening recption.

Thanks
Gary

 

[EOS_JD]

What is the general rule of thumb when it comes to FEC?
Using TTL flash metering, what situations would I dial in Negative FEC and what situations Positive FEC?

This is in relation to a wedding that I'm second shooting tomorrow, so typical scenarios would be formals and candids outside the church or reception, and inside during the evening recption.

Thanks
Gary

Wow a bit late to be asking if you are shooting a wedding tomorrow

FEC is the same as EC. When the flash sees a bright subject (like white) it puts out less light - when it sees black it will put out more so you need to compensate for that - same idea with Exposure Comp.

 

[philthejuggler]

Good grief - wedding tomorrow - good luck!

FEC - Wedding shots outdoors, would tend to dial in -2/3 stop FEC to provide fill light. Might take some arty shots @ 0 FEC, but with EC -1.5 to darken background or sky if shot from a low angle.

Indoors I'd tend not to use any FEC & where possible bounce off a wall or ceiling. I have a 580EXII and I used the little pull-up white card whilst bouncing off the ceiling so you still get highlights in the eyes. You could improvise with some card and velcro if your flash doesn't have one built in.

Hope this helps - let us know how it goes!

Phil

 

[EOS_JD]

Good grief - wedding tomorrow - good luck!

FEC - Wedding shots outdoors, would tend to dial in -2/3 stop FEC to provide fill light. Might take some arty shots @ 0 FEC, but with EC -1.5 to darken background or sky if shot from a low angle.

Indoors I'd tend not to use any FEC & where possible bounce off a wall or ceiling. I have a 580EXII and I used the little pull-up white card whilst bouncing off the ceiling so you still get highlights in the eyes. You could improvise with some card and velcro if your flash doesn't have one built in.

Hope this helps - let us know how it goes!

Phil

Yes good point about using it. When using flash outdoors you want it to generally just lift the shadows so shooting at -2/3 stop FEC with a proper ambient exposure will expose everything nicely with detail in the highlight and shadows.

 

[lensflair]

Good grief - wedding tomorrow - good luck!

FEC - Wedding shots outdoors, would tend to dial in -2/3 stop FEC to provide fill light. Might take some arty shots @ 0 FEC, but with EC -1.5 to darken background or sky if shot from a low angle.

Indoors I'd tend not to use any FEC & where possible bounce of a wall or ceiling. I have a 580EXII and I used the little pull-up white card whilst bouncing off the ceiling so you still get highlights in the eyes. You could improvise with some card and velcro if your flash doesn't have one built in.

Hope this helps - let us know how it goes!

Phil

+1
Nikon seems to work a bit hotter than Canon so you might need a bit more -ve FEC for natural fill flash. Bouncing indoors again usually none, it shouldn't make a difference but it does. Could be because the flash stops using distance information from the lenses focal points when you swivel the head.

If you're not sure maybe avoid flash as much as possible and let your skies go, shoot tight on the people.

 

[GaryK26]

Wow a bit late to be asking if you are shooting a wedding tomorrow

LOL - true!
I'm actually going as a guest (friend of the wife's) - it's a free gig and the primary tog is a friend of the groom.

I've been reading up so much and cramming in last minute details today. Quite pleased that I have figured out exposing for the white dress (courtesy of a creased shirt on the washing line!). Managed to retain 99% of the shirt in bright sunlight whilst maintaining a good exposure for the rest of the frame.

I must admit that my experience with speedlights is minimal (comfortable using studio lights).

With regard to the outdoor shots, does the FEC approach of dialling in -2/3 change when the subject has the sun behind vs sun in front?

 

[lensflair]

LOL - true!
I'm actually going as a guest (friend of the wife's) - it's a free gig and the primary tog is a friend of the groom.

I've been reading up so much and cramming in last minute details today. Quite pleased that I have figured out exposing for the white dress (courtesy of a creased shirt on the washing line!). Managed to retain 99% of the shirt in bright sunlight whilst maintaining a good exposure for the rest of the frame.

I must admit that my experience with speedlights is minimal (comfortable using studio lights).

With regard to the outdoor shots, does the FEC approach of dialling in -2/3 change when the subject has the sun behind vs sun in front?

No in TTL the flash output is adjusted automatically, the FEC is just a relative adjustment to what the camera 'thinks' is needed.


Just be careful if you are using high speed sync. If you are just using flash for a bit of fill it works well. But if you want to overpower the sun, where flash becomes the main light source, you are better off sticking to max sync speed so you have more flash power available to you.