whao, a whole new level of learning curve.

[andylawcc]

i have to shoot some photos for a company dinner. Since it was outdoors with minimal lightning, i borrowed the Speedlite 580 from work (which I never used before) and was flabbergasted by the whole new dimension of options and tuning for shooting.

I can shoot 45 degree, 90 degree, with the filter flap on, wiith the filter flap AND the white card thing on. Each option and combination yield VERY different results. In general flash helped ALOT if it was set right (along with correct ISO and shuttering speed setting). Otherwise, my results were either 1) too much flash and the whole picture "whited out" 2) top portion of the pics get sufficient lightning but the bottom part is too dark [this happened when I used the "roof bounce"]

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

flash is hard

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
flashing is hard :trenchcoat

wat?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
flashing is hard :trenchcoat

wat?

that too

Hey, what would happen if you went up to a girl with a camera flash and said, "can I flash you?" What would happen if she said yes?
.
.
.
.
Will report back.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
flashing is hard :trenchcoat

wat?

that too

Hey, what would happen if you went up to a girl with a camera flash and said, "can I flash you?" What would happen if she said yes?
.
.
.
.
Will report back.

remember to drench your flash with water first ;p

 

[Balr0g]

I would rather ask if she would flash me.

 

[angry hampster]

Now try that again with the flash off of the camera.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
remember to drench your flash with water first ;p

Heh, remember that flashes are supposed to be as lightweight as possible so they don't throw off balance too much. Hence no weathersealing and all plastic construction.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: soydios


Heh, remember that flashes are supposed to be as lightweight as possible so they don't throw off balance too much. Hence no weathersealing and all plastic construction.

The 580EXII would like a word with you:

http://www.canon.com.au/produc.../Speedlite580exii.aspx

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: soydios


Heh, remember that flashes are supposed to be as lightweight as possible so they don't throw off balance too much. Hence no weathersealing and all plastic construction.

The 580EXII would like a word with you:

http://www.canon.com.au/produc.../Speedlite580exii.aspx

Define "water resistance"; i.e. can you use the thing in the rain? Are there seals to keep water out, or just "tight body construction"? Anybody willing to open their 580EXII up and check before running it through the shower?

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: soydios


Define "water resistance"; i.e. can you use the thing in the rain? Are there seals to keep water out, or just "tight body construction"? Anybody willing to open their 580EXII up and check before running it through the shower?

The unit itself is quite water-resistant, I'd say just as much as a 1-series body or L-series lens. I've shot with one in the rain before at work and had no problems.

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
i have to shoot some photos for a company dinner. Since it was outdoors with minimal lightning, i borrowed the Speedlite 580 from work (which I never used before) and was flabbergasted by the whole new dimension of options and tuning for shooting.

I can shoot 45 degree, 90 degree, with the filter flap on, wiith the filter flap AND the white card thing on. Each option and combination yield VERY different results. In general flash helped ALOT if it was set right (along with correct ISO and shuttering speed setting). Otherwise, my results were either 1) too much flash and the whole picture "whited out" 2) top portion of the pics get sufficient lightning but the bottom part is too dark [this happened when I used the "roof bounce"]

Couple of things to remember. You want to balance flash and ambient light. To do that, use the shutter speed. Faster shutter speed will make the background darker.

If the dinner is indoors with a white ceiling, then point the flash straight up and pull the white card out so that it will throw some light forward.

You essentially want to bounce the flash off of something as it will help diffuse the light and make a more even exposure.

you can also make a bounce card or buy one.
http://dembflashproducts.com
http://abetterbouncecard.com/

 

[ivan2]

grab a ebay stofen, it's pretty good indoors and acceptable outdoor.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: ivan2
grab a ebay stofen, it's pretty good indoors and acceptable outdoor.

Problem with the stofen is you get some loss of light.

I prefer the betterbouncecard, it just seams a more natural white color, compared to the stofen yellowish cast.

Or just chop up a alcohol bottle to fit to size.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: ivan2
grab a ebay stofen, it's pretty good indoors and pointless outdoor.

There's no reason to throw light around like that outside unless you just want to deplete your batteries in a hurry.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: xchangx

Couple of things to remember. You want to balance flash and ambient light. To do that, use the shutter speed. Faster shutter speed will make the background darker.

I am still wondering should I set "ceiling bounce" as "default and use this method all the time. it seems like a "direct hit in face" flash is pointless with the 580 since it is too strong, even with the stock disfuser flap on.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: xchangx

Couple of things to remember. You want to balance flash and ambient light. To do that, use the shutter speed. Faster shutter speed will make the background darker.

I am still wondering should I set "ceiling bounce" as "default and use this method all the time. it seems like a "direct hit in face" flash is pointless with the 580 since it is too strong, even with the stock disfuser flap on.

You do realize that it's got adjustable power settings, right? Anyway, bouncing of the ceiling or a wall close behind you will almost always provide nice light. Watch out for paint color though.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
You do realize that it's got adjustable power settings, right? Anyway, bouncing of the ceiling or a wall close behind you will almost always provide nice light. Watch out for paint color though.

i hear a motor moving/acctuating when I pull the white bounce card or the disfuser flap up. I also hear the same sound when I click the button that adjust the zoom range.

(btw: I am using this Canon Speedlite 580 on my Olympus)

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: angry hampster
You do realize that it's got adjustable power settings, right? Anyway, bouncing of the ceiling or a wall close behind you will almost always provide nice light. Watch out for paint color though.

i hear a motor moving/acctuating when I pull the white bounce card or the disfuser flap up. I also hear the same sound when I click the button that adjust the zoom range.

(btw: I am using this Canon Speedlite 580 on my Olympus)

Good flash units have zooming heads that adjust for focal length. Look at the LCD on the back of the 580. It will tell you what it's doing.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
Good flash units have zooming heads that adjust for focal length. Look at the LCD on the back of the 580. It will tell you what it's doing.

it didn't adjust on my Olympus, but it did adjust on my boss's Canon G9.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: angry hampster
Good flash units have zooming heads that adjust for focal length. Look at the LCD on the back of the 580. It will tell you what it's doing.

it didn't adjust on my Olympus, but it did adjust on my boss's Canon G9.

It's a Canon flash that's designed to work with Canon cameras. Pretty simple really. Olympus uses a different electronic metering system for its flashes, Canon uses ETTL or ETTL-II.

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: xchangx

Couple of things to remember. You want to balance flash and ambient light. To do that, use the shutter speed. Faster shutter speed will make the background darker.

I am still wondering should I set "ceiling bounce" as "default and use this method all the time. it seems like a "direct hit in face" flash is pointless with the 580 since it is too strong, even with the stock disfuser flap on.

I use the demb flip it indoors and outdoors. Indoors it's slightly back outdoors, slightly forward

I dislike the straight on flash look.

 

[virtuamike]

Recommend these -
Light: Science & Magic
Matters of Light & Depth

If you want to control your light, then get it off camera and adjust output manually. Strobist is also recommended reading. The Lighting 101 and 102 sections are based off those books.

Don't get formulaic though

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
flash is hard

Nah, just something else to think about.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: xchangx

Couple of things to remember. You want to balance flash and ambient light. To do that, use the shutter speed. Faster shutter speed will make the background darker.

I am still wondering should I set "ceiling bounce" as "default and use this method all the time. it seems like a "direct hit in face" flash is pointless with the 580 since it is too strong, even with the stock disfuser flap on.

*cough* this is what I mean when I say don't get formulaic. You can't think of lighting in terms of setups. You need to think of it in terms of usage and application. What do you want your light to look like? What's your environment? Go from there.