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02/13/2004 10:00:38 AM · #1 |
| Hi. I just got into digi photog. I use a Canon G5 and just got the 420 EX speedlite flash. Do you guys have any tips w/ this falsh. eg...using the swivel head. |
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02/13/2004 10:13:20 AM · #2 |
| turn it on, point it up, shoot |
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02/13/2004 10:14:09 AM · #3 |
True that!Originally posted by Spazmo99:
turn it on, point it up, shoot |
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02/13/2004 10:16:32 AM · #4 |
Yup - it works better 'bouncing' the light of the ceiling than hitting your subject 'straight' on.
Coloured walls can give strange casts, and it doesn't work so well outside (!) but bounce flash is much better than dead on - try it out and see.
I also like a softer flash ratio so I use it dialed down to -1 flash exposure comp or more. This gives a 2:1 ambient/ flash light ratio and looks more natural.
Urm, what else. everything you thought you knew about flash - turn it on its head.
Flash is best used on bright sunny days outside. The worst place to use flash is indoors in a dark room - turn on all the lights first!
All flash is fill flash - you are in trouble if its your only source of light.
All rules are made to be broken.
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02/13/2004 10:21:28 AM · #5 |
Outside huh? I just got it a couple of days ago and have not tried it outdoors yet. Can't wait to see the results. But i have been using the flash indoors taking pics of the fam. Results are awesome. Pictures look a million times better than use of the built in flash. Originally posted by Gordon:
Yup - it works better 'bouncing' the light of the ceiling than hitting your subject 'straight' on.
Coloured walls can give strange casts, and it doesn't work so well outside (!) but bounce flash is much better than dead on - try it out and see.
I also like a softer flash ratio so I use it dialed down to -1 flash exposure comp or more. This gives a 2:1 ambient/ flash light ratio and looks more natural.
Urm, what else. everything you thought you knew about flash - turn it on its head.
Flash is best used on bright sunny days outside. The worst place to use flash is indoors in a dark room - turn on all the lights first!
All flash is fill flash - you are in trouble if its your only source of light.
All rules are made to be broken. |
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02/13/2004 10:22:12 AM · #6 |
| How well does the flah work if there are 30ft. ceiliengs. Would light bounce off that? |
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02/13/2004 10:27:45 AM · #7 |
| Here's your answer: Point it up and bounce it off the ceiling indoors with normal height ceilings. For higher ceilings, for example in a church, use a WHITE cardboard cutout with velcro to stick to the top of your flash which acts as a ceiling [about 6"x6" should do].. You can buy them for like $4 or you can make one for about 50 cents. |
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02/13/2004 10:36:58 AM · #8 |
Don't just be constrained by pointing it up. If there are surfaces off to the side that you can utilize, swivel that sucker ;).
I'm also with Gordon, in that it can make a huge difference outside, esp if you dial down the flash compensation a stop of even 2. It will add a subtle light and lift to all your shots, and they won't look like you're using flash. Again, bounce when possible.
This whole set is shot with that flash
Without the flash, the strong backlighting would have rendered the front dark and shadowy :) ..
you can make bounces as gb said, or you can buy them from www.lumiquest.com and others ..
GB: you should start a business, making bounces for $50 and selling them for $4 :)
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02/13/2004 10:45:39 AM · #9 |
A Sto-fen Omni Bounce works great to diffuse the harsh light from flash if you don't have anything with which to bounce off. Brings your effective range down, but that usually isn't a problem with flashes like the 420 or 550 if you're within a normal portrait range with midrange zooms. THey're like $20.
Stofen website
Message edited by author 2004-02-13 10:46:51. |
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02/13/2004 10:52:06 AM · #10 |
Not sure about the G5 but the Digital Rebel automatically will detect when you are shooting in a backlit situation and automatically stop the flash down by 1. Just a tid-bit of information.
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02/13/2004 01:26:41 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Here's your answer: Point it up and bounce it off the ceiling indoors with normal height ceilings. For higher ceilings, for example in a church, use a WHITE cardboard cutout with velcro to stick to the top of your flash which acts as a ceiling [about 6"x6" should do].. You can buy them for like $4 or you can make one for about 50 cents. |
Do you have a picture of that cardboard cutout so i can get a better idea? |
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02/13/2004 02:37:35 PM · #12 |
Another thing I bought with my G5 was the 2 ft off-camera cord. I can hold my G5 in my right hand, composing in the LCD while directing the flash with my left hand. I can get the light up higher and further away from the lens axis than with a flash bracket. It's having the flash close to the lens that causes red eye. This also works well if you are shooting in a room with high ceilings and don't have a piece of white cardboard. With the flash up high, you get a more natural look to the light, but it's not as diffused as when you bounce
Also, the zoom in the flashhead only works when the flash is NOT tilted or swiveled.
The red lens on the front is for the IR Focus assist light, which the G5 can't use.
Have fun, try different stuff, experiment and find out what techniques give you effects you like.
I suggest setting the Flash exposure to -2/3 or -1, the E-TTL seems to get things a bit bright for most people. Other than that, let the E-TTL do its thing.
Message edited by author 2004-02-13 14:43:13. |
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