I SUCK at indoor lighting

[kellysue22]

Ok I previously posted and figured out a lot is a white balance issue and I completely agree...
However, I do have a lot of pictures that are just flat over or under exposed! what the heck?

I am shooting with an SB 600 and Nikon D200. I shoot in aperture mode usually, white balance auto, TTL on the flash...Shouldn't that be good enough? Doesn't the flash read the camera and adjust the flash? Am I not understanding this correctly? Oh and I use a Gary Fong too.

I just can't seem to get my exposure right. Usually I am using my 70-200 2.8 and still getting that problem when shooting at 200. Ughhhh this is VERY aggravating.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by kellysue22

Ok I previously posted and figured out a lot is a white balance issue and I completely agree...
However, I do have a lot of pictures that are just flat over or under exposed! what the heck?

I am shooting with an SB 600 and Nikon D200. I shoot in aperture mode usually, white balance auto, TTL on the flash...Shouldn't that be good enough? Doesn't the flash read the camera and adjust the flash? Am I not understanding this correctly? Oh and I use a Gary Fong too.

I just can't seem to get my exposure right. Usually I am using my 70-200 2.8 and still getting that problem when shooting at 200. Ughhhh this is VERY aggravating.

I know very little about on or off camera flash, but it seems to me, and correct me if I am wrong, but if you use a diffuser, depending on your distance to your subject, it will probably knock off 1 to 2 stops of light. Since you are using ttl, the camera does not know this, and can't compensate for it. You may need to turn your flash compensation up a stop or two. Just my guess. I am sure someone will correct me.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kellysue22

I just can't seem to get my exposure right. Usually I am using my 70-200 2.8 and still getting that problem when shooting at 200. Ughhhh this is VERY aggravating.

Here's the more glaring issue: the SB-600 is rated to 85mm (35mm equiv), whereas your 70-200, at 200mm is a 300mm equivalent. OBVIOUSLY you're not going to get enough light at that range.

As RLucas posted, a diffuser will also rob light, and if the camera is already firing full power, it cant go any higher.

[kellysue22]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Here's the more glaring issue: the SB-600 is rated to 85mm (35mm equiv), whereas your 70-200, at 200mm is a 300mm equivalent. OBVIOUSLY you're not going to get enough light at that range.

As RLucas posted, a diffuser will also rob light, and if the camera is already firing full power, it cant go any higher.

Ok that makes a lot of sense...Do you suggest taking off the diffuser indoors them? What would be your solution? Do I need the SB800?

[GadgetRick]

Os is right on with this.

Oh, and, get rid of the diffuser. I don't use them for this very reason. The camera/flash doesn't know you're using it so you're defeating the purpose of TTL (imo). Learn to bounce flash and you'll get much better results.

[kellysue22]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

Os is right on with this.

Oh, and, get rid of the diffuser. I don't use them for this very reason. The camera/flash doesn't know you're using it so you're defeating the purpose of TTL (imo). Learn to bounce flash and you'll get much better results.

I want to learn to bounce
Well I know and I don't...If I am in a room and have a great white ceiling or white walls, I am golden, but what about when I am not? I know there is equipment you can buy to help you in bad situations. Any suggestions? The last few places I have shot, have been log cabins. I can't bounce off that.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kellysue22

Ok that makes a lot of sense...Do you suggest taking off the diffuser indoors them? What would be your solution? Do I need the SB800?

Even the SB-900 is only good to 200mm (35mm equiv), so you're still gonna be short. You'll need something even more powerful.

[natek313]

Originally Posted by kellysue22

I want to learn to bounce
Well I know and I don't...If I am in a room and have a great white ceiling or white walls, I am golden, but what about when I am not? I know there is equipment you can buy to help you in bad situations. Any suggestions? The last few places I have shot, have been log cabins. I can't bounce off that.

Any surface you bounce off of is going to cast the color of the surface onto your subject. That's just how it is. Yes, white walls are ideal, but you're not always going to have them at your disposal.

You can shoot in RAW and tweak the white/color balance later, if necessary. Or, you can always take your flash off-camera.

[kellysue22]

Originally Posted by natek313

Any surface you bounce off of is going to cast the color of the surface onto your subject. That's just how it is. Yes, white walls are ideal, but you're not always going to have them at your disposal.

You can shoot in RAW and tweak the white/color balance later, if necessary. Or, you can always take your flash off-camera.

I am not opposed to taking the flash off camera, but what's the least abrasive way say in a ceremony where I need the distance?

[sk66]

Originally Posted by kellysue22

I am not opposed to taking the flash off camera, but what's the least abrasive way say in a ceremony where I need the distance?

CLS/Commander Mode...
I don't think the diffuser is an issue...The iTTL system uses pre-flashes to determine correct output (but you probably wont see them), but it does reduce max output.