Becoming fast at natural looking flash

[eleazarparadise]

Hello All,

After reading many articles on planet neil I am focused on using my flash in a way that makes my photos look as if I'm not using any flash (Natural looking flash). I want to be quick at metering and setting up my camera. Right now it takes me about a minute and 5-6 test shots to get it right. I'm sensing impatiance from my subject. Too bad I can't just put the camera in Auto and snap away. I'm in manual mode and manual mode on the flash.

How long does it take a pro to meter and adjust?

When someone says they are -0.3EV on their flash does that mean -0.3 from max flash output or -0.3 from what their TTL flash level?

Will I be constantly adjusting my camera/flash settings as a photographer during an event?

Do you recommend anyone else on the net that shares how to info for lighting?

Thanks,

Eleazar

[candleman]

when you find an answer to doing it faster let me know.. i did an event on Satutrday, and its still taking me 3 shots to get it right,. after moving around.

manual exposure, TTL flash of course

[acedrew]

Have you checked out strobist? strobist.com

There is a lot of ambiguity around the term f/ whatever... I would think in the context of flash and -0.3f, that would mean -0.3 f stops ttl Exposure Compensation.

Andrew Rodgers
Perfected Perspectives -- Photography by Andrew Rodgers | Andrew Rodgers (acedrew) on Twitter | Login | Facebook

[inkista]

Originally Posted by eleazarparadise

When someone says they are -0.3EV on their flash does that mean -0.3 from max flash output or -0.3 from what their TTL flash level?

From the TTL flash level. FEC (flash exposure compensation) on the flash is analogous to regular exposure compensation on the camera in Aperture or Shutter Priority modes. It's an offset from the auto-exposure (or TTL power) setting.

HOWEVER. If you shoot Nikon, you need to know the FEC is in addition to the regular EC on the camera, if you've got it dialled in. On Canon, the two are separate.

Hate it say it, but Planet Neil is still going to be your best resource on this:

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/f...exposure-comp/