Using a flashgun on a camera help

[Nezodon]

Not sure this is the right section to post this, but it seems like the right place to ask.

I have recently got a flashgun for my canon 450D, the flashgun is a 430EX II, and would appreciate any advice in ways I can practice using it. What is a good way, idea or concept, which would allow me best to practice using my flashgun to gain and learn how better to use flash light on my camera and improve control over this new piece of hardware.

Any ideas you have would be cool, thanks in advance.

[GreggObst]

The best way you can learn about using flash on your camera is to get it OFF your camera. You will find out why that matters and find a wealth of information broken out with examples and commentary by checking out the "Strobist 101" section on Strobist

Also check out the strobist group on Flickr for a huge pool of example photos using these techniques: Flickr: Strobist.com You will find lots of inspiration to draw from in that group's pool and the information to start creating similar shots using the techniques in that "Strobist 101" section.

[inkista]

Actually, before going off-camera, I'd recommend simply learning to bounce the flash. Much simpler and easier and doesn't require learning how to use the flash in Manual or additional equipment/expense like going off-camera will. Learn to crawl before you try to fly. Once you get directional light and bouncing down, then work on shooting with the camera in M mode, and balancing flash against ambient. Then going with the flash in Manual.

THEN consider off-camera flash in the full knowledge of what you're giving up without TTL, rear-curtain sync, or high-speed sync.

I think a lot of folks skip over TTL and on-camera techniques in their hurry to get to off-camera lighting, and they ignore some pretty basic tools they already have in the bag, and may be making things a little needlessly complex for themselves. I know the joys of setting up a light in a softbox and two kickers and one background light as well as the next Strobist, but there are also times I need to run'n'gun at events and go with eTTL and the black foamie thing with an on-camera speedlight, and ride the FEC too.

Given that the OP got a 430EX II, which is fully eTTL-II capable, might as well learn all the automated jazz first.

[Nezodon]

Thanks guys, have a few things to try out, I think I will tinker with understanding bounce light first and try to get a feel for it.

Thanks again.

[inkista]

You're welcome.

The first wtf?! thing you're likely to hit is the fact that the flash will behave differently depending on what shooting mode your camera is in.

If you are in P or full Auto mode, the flash will act much like you're used to from a P&S camera: the flash is assumed to be the main source of illumination.

However, if you are in Av or Tv mode, the assumption is that you want the flash just for fill (i.e., most of the light in the scene is presumed to come from the ambient illumination, and the flash is used simply to "fill in the shadows"). In other words, your camera will set the exposure on the camera pretty damn close to what it would be without the flash, and just add a small amount of flash. This can be very confusing.

You can override this behavior in Av mode with the Custom functions, but probably just going into P mode might be easier if you want most of the light to come from the flash.

You'll have full control over how much flash and how much ambient you want by going into M mode on the camera, and learning about balancing the flash against the ambient.

The second wtf?! thing you're likely to run into is realizing that your shutter speed has no effect on the amount of light you're getting from the flash. This is because the flash burst duration is shorter than your minimum shutter speed. Shutter will only affect the ambient coming in. This is actually a good thing, but it can be confusing at first.

[Nezodon]

Originally Posted by inkista

You're welcome.

The first wtf?! thing you're likely to hit is the fact that the flash will behave differently depending on what shooting mode your camera is is.

If you are in P or full Auto mode, the flash will act much like you're used to from a P&S camera: the flash is assumed to be the main source of illumination.

However, if you are in Av or Tv mode, the assumption is that you want the flash just for fill (i.e., most of the light in the scene is presumed to come from the ambient illumination, and the flash is used simply to "fill in the shadows"). In other words, your camera will set the exposure on the camera pretty damn close to what it would be without the flash, and just add a small amount of flash. This can be very confusing.

You can override this behavior in Av mode with the Custom functions, but probably just going into P mode might be easier if you want most of the light to come from the flash.

You'll have full control over how much flash and how much ambient you want by going into M mode on the camera, and learning about balancing the flash against the ambient.

This is good to know, I tend to shoot more Av and Tv than I do P or manual, I might go full manual and practice playing with the settings. I was taking a few pictures yesterday and was getting a tad confused about some of the things I was seeing, that explains why the massive difference between the modes.

The second wtf?! thing you're likely to run into is realizing that your shutter speed has no effect on the amount of light you're getting from the flash. This is because the flash burst duration is shorter than your minimum shutter speed. Shutter will only affect the ambient coming in. This is actually a good thing, but it can be confusing at first.

Ah, that explains a few things.

Monday I'm going to have a big play about with it and try to get my head round the ins and outs of the things.

Thanks again, I may be asking more questions next week, so I apologise in advance lol