Slow Sync Flash? Please HELP!!!

[Harrysup]

hi everyone.

i have just been looking into some different and more experimental ways to use my camera, and one thing i came across was "slow sync flash/open flash". i have looked at some examples of this type of effect and love the results, however i arn't too sure if my camera is up to the job. i have a cannon 1000d, is it possible to create such affect with this camera, and if so how would i go about it?

i understand the basis and that is has a lot to do with the timing of your flash and shutter speed ect, but i cant seem to be able to adjust such settings on my camera??? it is mainly a rear curtain sync i would be after....

please help

Thanks, Sam

 

[kmiragaya]

It's called "dragging the shutter". The idea is to expose for ambient light while freezing the subject using flash.

I'd do it in Manual (M-mode) but in AV that's what the camera will do for flash exposures.

Also you need to use second curtain flash. On my 500D is in Menu/Flash Control/Built-in. flash func.setting/Shutter sync. That's if you are using the built in flash. Otherwise change "built-in" for "external"

 

[HoppyUK]

Slow-sync flash or fill-in flash is just balancing the flash exposure with the ambient light, by using a long shutter speed. You can do it fine with your 1000D.

You don't need to use second/rear curtain sync - that just decides if the flash fires at the beginning of the exposure (first curtain, which is normal mode) or at the end (second or rear curtain). Second curtain sync is a more advanced variation that is sometimes helpful with moving subjects, but otherwise leave it alone.

If you simply set the camera on Av and pop up the flash, the camera will do everything for you automatically and will balance the foreground (flash) exposure with the background (ambient). You then adjust the balance between the two (if necessary) by using +/- compensation on the back of the camera for the background, and by using +/- compensation for the flash to moderate the foreground, which is in the menu.

There are other ways of doing it, eg full manual, but Av is dead easy and the camera usually gets a good result. Just keep an eye on the shutter speed - if it's dark it will get very long so watch out for bluring of the background; if it's too bright it might try and push up higher than 1/200sec which won't sync with the flash, so pull it down again by using a higher f/number or lower ISO.

 

[mrtoad]

as hoppyuk clearly mentioned
fill flash is just that...the ambient light is the main source and the fill....fills

i take my exposure reading and underexpose by 1/3-2/3 stop
then set the flash at a corresponding power starting at -2 and working my way up till i get the balance
my flash isnt thyristor and is the built in boy racer type on a bridge camera with some limit to selecting power and iso

with good technique its possible to make a good ambient shot 'shine and glisten' in the right places..especially with a portrait to get the eyes to sparkle