Flash advice using Canon 430 ex ii speedlight.

[barrypriddis]

I have been asked to take some photographs of people arriving for a ball that is being held at a local hotel.

I will be using a Canon 1D with 430 exii speedlight.

I understand I will need to set second curtain synch, but not being familiar with flash photography, am unsure as to whether to use manual or auto focus. I presume AV to be the shooting mode. Also, is it best to bounce the flash or not?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and it is my intention to practice at home before the event once I have the benefit of your advice.

 

[subseasniper]

Definitely bounce the flash if this is possible but remember that if bouncing off a coloured wall or ceiling the flash will pick that colour up. Only bounce from neutrally coloured surfaces or at most something a bit warm.

Whatever you do, don't nuke them with on camera flash. If you must retain TTL metering buy an off-camera cord (only about a tenner from ebay) and get that light off to one side.

Decide on what kind of shots you are looking for, full length, 3/4, 1/2 or head and shoulders portraits. That should dictate lens and aperture choice.

 

[barrypriddis]

Thanks Subsea. Have done a bit more research and am considering E-TTL, camera on manual, iso 100, F8 at 1/125. I would be using a 17-40 F4L or 24-70F2.8L lens. All shots would be full length.
Once I have charged up the batteries for the flash, I will have a practice.