Incident and reflected Flash metering

[ujjwaldey8165]

I just got a pre-owned flash meter ( shepherd). It has the capability to measure both Incident and reflected flashes.

In a close room, the reflected reading is 1.5 stops higher ( smaller aperture) than the incident reading. The GN number of the flash corresponds to the incident reading, so clearly the reflected reading is getting more light. This is true at various distances; and 3 different flashes.

Is this because I am measuring in a room, and the light is reflecting back, and so the meter is reading higher light? Or is it a problem with the flash.

Thanks

Ujjwal

 

[Garry Edwards]

No, the reflected reading isn't GETTING more light, it is simply REFLECTING more light, in other words the subject you are photographing/measuring is lighter/more reflective than the 'average' subject that suits reflective readings.
That's why we don't often use reflective readings

 

[ujjwaldey8165]

Ah got it. Was using blank light coloured walls to bounce of the flash; that will explain the anomaly. (Sorry, I meant reflecting more light, offcourse, thanks)