Metering advice for first timer

[pragmatist]

I have been asked to photograph a production cast for a programme. I have been lent a couple of flash units with umbrellas etc etc and will be shooting against a black cloth in monochrome. Can anyone advise me on metering for the subjects? I imagine i will have to spot meter but do i meter off their face?
Using a 5D mk2 with 24-70. What F ratio will be best? I'd think something along the lines of F11 ?
Cheers

 

[Garry Edwards]

I'm assuming that you have a flash meter?
If so, I advise you to meter the incident light (the light falling upon, or incident upon the subject, not the light that's reflected from the subject. You simply place the meter where the subject is, point it towards the camera and take the reading.
That way, the reading won't be affected by the colour/tone of the subject, background or anything else.

 

[pragmatist]

Ok cheers Garry