Yongnuo advice

[GalJulie]

I've posted here a couple of times and I'm back looking for your guidance. I have the yongnuo 560iii and rf603n triggers. I'm struggling with measuring flash exposure correctly. Books seem to use the flash to calculate settings required.

How do you manage to get the right flash exposure when you're so inexperienced? Would a ttl gun help grow the technical skills and if yes, would any of yongnuo's range work with my current kit (at some point I'd like to get a second flash anyway). Apols if it's a daft question - I know one solution is to get out and try different settings and review the effect. Another is to put the books away! TIA

 

[Phil V]

Yes and no.
An ETTL gun will need ETTL triggers and you'll still only be getting ETTL control of your key light. Which will presumably leave you struggling with your other lights.

You could buy a flash meter, but even if you do, you'll still want to follow the advice below.

Start with one flash, and only change one thing at a time. If you're methodical, it's easier than you think.

We make it look easy because experience gets us 'in the ball park', so there's not too much fiddling to get it 'right', you will pick that up quite quickly, if you keep in mind the ISL (and easier if you get a flash meter).

The recommended flash meter for newb's is the Sekonic L308s, which helps them hold their value really well. I bought a S/h Minolta from ebay for £35 (I was the only bidder).

 

[GalJulie]

Thanks, Phil. I don't want to spend any money until I know what I'm doing. I thought a ttl flash might have been the answer but as you mentioned, it's not going to help me get to grips with my manual flash. I'll check out the flash meter. Thank you. J

 

[Phil V]

Thanks, Phil. I don't want to spend any money until I know what I'm doing. I thought a ttl flash might have been the answer but as you mentioned, it's not going to help me get to grips with my manual flash. I'll check out the flash meter. Thank you. J

It doesn't take long to be able to place your flash at the distance for 1/4 power for f5.6. (or whatever), once you have done that, you can recreate at will.

Then you can place the 2nd flash for fill or hairlight or whatever and dial it down till it's balanced, then the 3rd etc. etc.

Like I said, 1 change at a time, and the power is distance dependant, not direction dependant, so you can maintain it whether you're shooting short lighting, butterfly lighting etc.

The direction of the shadows is obviously down to the direction of the light, the nature of the shadows is based on the type of modifier.

And no matter how many lights you use, there's ONE keylight.

 

[GalJulie]

Thanks Phil. Loads to learn but I think bits are starting to sink in! Off out tomorrow night to have another go

 

[JennyGW]

Thanks, Phil. I don't want to spend any money until I know what I'm doing. I thought a ttl flash might have been the answer but as you mentioned, it's not going to help me get to grips with my manual flash. I'll check out the flash meter. Thank you. J

Spend some money on a Sekonic L308-S light meter and forget about ETTL. ETTL is mostly useful for event running and gunning, not so useful in a studio style setting.