How do I improve photography on dull days?

[Chris Hammond]

"I'm very thick with written instructions in how to do something (anything really!) I need to do actually do something to have the penny drop..."

Thank heavens it isn't just me Pauline.

Thanks for the explanation, it's very much appreciated.

Regards Chris

[Chris Hammond]

Originally Posted by mh68

Chris,
If you take a couple of test flash shots with the same camera settings - one without the diffuser at correct exposure, one with the diffuser at the same settings, you`ll soon see if the camera/flash is automatically compensating for the loss of light, as the diffused pic will be darker if it isnt.If that`s the case, then the loss of light will be consistent, so if you work out how much extra exposure is needed,you can automatically add that amount whenever you use the diffuser by opening the aperture by the required amount, or alternatively, as youre using a Nikon dedicated flash with your D200, you can increase the flash output via the flash exposure compensation function which will do the same thing

Mark H

Sound advice as ever Mark. Cheers for that. I'm a lazy beggar really, I've never found the time to do those little experiments. I will make an effort in the future though. Just for the record my flash unit was originally brought to accompany my F100 film camera, and unfortunately the various shooting modes are not supported when using it with my D200. I have to use it in manual mode. This wouldn't be a problem if I didn't find the subject so confusing.

I've toyed with the idea of one of those Nikon workshop seminars on flash usage, but I'm not sure I wouldn't be out of my depth. Anyone else have any experience of anything similar?

[mh68]

Originally Posted by Chris Hammond

Sound advice as ever Mark. Cheers for that. I'm a lazy beggar really, I've never found the time to do those little experiments. I will make an effort in the future though. Just for the record my flash unit was originally brought to accompany my F100 film camera, and unfortunately the various shooting modes are not supported when using it with my D200. I have to use it in manual mode. This wouldn't be a problem if I didn't find the subject so confusing.

I've toyed with the idea of one of those Nikon workshop seminars on flash usage, but I'm not sure I wouldn't be out of my depth. Anyone else have any experience of anything similar?

I shoot fully manual when using flash, both in-camera and with the flashguns themselves. It`s just a matter of gauging the distance-to-subject you`re shooting, then setting the suggested aperture for that distance/iso speed. In manual mode my flashguns show an aperture/iso/distance scale on the back of them, which are very accurate for correct exposure at a given distance/iso speed.Your Nikon flash should have a similar scale.You just find the distance you`re shooting at on the scale,and below or above it, it tells you the correct aperture for correct exposure at that distance.Just be sure you`re reading the scale set to the right iso speed (usually its adjustable via a sliding switch).
I`m currently shooting some slide films using flash, so have to get it spot on as I cant check the images at the time. With digital its a lot easier - if youre shooting at a fixed distance,say,at a baited spot, you just roughly set the aperture, then adjust it smaller(if overexposed) or wider (if underexposed) to get correct exposure (check the histogram), then you can leave it set for the duration of the shooting session.
As I mentioned in a previous post, shutter speed has no effect on the subject`s exposure with flash. Aperture setting is the key to correct exposure of the subject.Once you get that right you can do whatever you want with the shutter speed and the subject will be lit the same every time, all that will vary is how well the background is lit.

Mark H

[Chris Hammond]

Originally Posted by mh68

I shoot fully manual when using flash, both in-camera and with the flashguns themselves. It`s just a matter of gauging the distance-to-subject you`re shooting, then setting the suggested aperture for that distance/iso speed. In manual mode my flashguns show an aperture/iso/distance scale on the back of them, which are very accurate for correct exposure at a given distance/iso speed.Your Nikon flash should have a similar scale.You just find the distance you`re shooting at on the scale,and below or above it, it tells you the correct aperture for correct exposure at that distance.Just be sure you`re reading the scale set to the right iso speed (usually its adjustable via a sliding switch).
I`m currently shooting some slide films using flash, so have to get it spot on as I cant check the images at the time. With digital its a lot easier - if youre shooting at a fixed distance,say,at a baited spot, you just roughly set the aperture, then adjust it smaller(if overexposed) or wider (if underexposed) to get correct exposure (check the histogram), then you can leave it set for the duration of the shooting session.
As I mentioned in a previous post, shutter speed has no effect on the subject`s exposure with flash. Aperture setting is the key to correct exposure of the subject.Once you get that right you can do whatever you want with the shutter speed and the subject will be lit the same every time, all that will vary is how well the background is lit.

Mark H

Thanks Mark, It doesn't sound too complicated when you put it into plain English like that.

I'm sure I'm getting something wrong with my Nikon unit though, as it struggles to provide light beyond a few feet, even in complete darkness. I originally brought it because it was described as their most powerful flash unit.

[jhewitt15]

I changed the aperture to 5.6 and put some paper over the flash and got this really good photo of TMN balsam!

The background isn't as dark as last time

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by mh68

As I mentioned in a previous post, shutter speed has no effect on the subject`s exposure with flash. Aperture setting is the key to correct exposure of the subject.Once you get that right you can do whatever you want with the shutter speed and the subject will be lit the same every time, all that will vary is how well the background is lit.

Mark H

Not 100% true. You should have used the "If you are within your flash sync speed settings" proviso.

If you goto speeds above your sync speed to get high speed flash then shutter speed plays a big role on the lighting.

[mh68]

Originally Posted by BruceP

Not 100% true. You should have used the "If you are within your flash sync speed settings" proviso.

If you goto speeds above your sync speed to get high speed flash then shutter speed plays a big role on the lighting.

Shooting within the sync speed of the camera (slr/dslr) goes without saying.Which is why I didnt mention it as I presumed it would be obvious. Most modern slr/dslr`s automatically drop the shutter speed down to the top sync speed if you exceed it anyway

Bridge cameras are different though, which I should have mentioned - they dont have a top sync speed so you can effectively shoot with flash right up to their highest shutter speed.

Mark H

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by mh68

Shooting within the sync speed of the camera (slr/dslr) goes without saying.Which is why I didnt mention it as I presumed it would be obvious. Most modern slr/dslr`s automatically drop the shutter speed down to the top sync speed if you exceed it anyway
Mark H

Sorry, but I have to disagree again.
If you shoot in a programme mode this may be true, but if you shoot in manual; shutter speed or aperture priority you can set what you want; or you certainally can on my cameras.

My cameras have a top sync speed of 1/250th sec, but switching the flash to high speed sync I can sync at any speed, at the expense of the output of the flash power. In fact I often use flash at 1/500th sec. This does of course assume that the flash has the ability to perform high sync speed flash.


I don't mean to appear to be nit picking, but I believe that we should give people the whole story, rather then let people think they fully understand it, when in fact they only have a simplified version.

And we havn't even mentioned first or second curtain sync yet!

[mh68]

Yes, youre right Bruce, I was thinking of my old Fuji S2 Pro, which automatically lowered the shutter speed to the cameras max.flash sync speed if set too high.My 20D doesnt do this.
High speed sync,FP mode etc are limited to flashguns dedicated to the particular camera in use though, when talking about DSLRs,so it`s a bit more specialised.
Maybe best to point out that unless the flashgun/camera combination allows high speed sync, shutter speeds should be kept at or below the recommended flash sync speed of the camera being used,so check the manual to make sure.
Regardless of the flash sync speed capabilities of a particular camera,though, the fact remains that shutter speed has little or no bearing on exposure of the subject when using flash. Aperture is the important factor there

Mark H

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by mh68

yes, Youre Right Bruce, I Was Thinking Of My Old Fuji S2 Pro, Which Automatically Lowered The Shutter Speed To The Cameras Max.flash Sync Speed If Set Too High.my 20d Doesnt Do This.
High Speed Sync,fp Mode Etc Are Limited To Flashguns Dedicated To The Particular Camera In Use Though, When Talking About Dslrs,so It`s A Bit More Specialised.
Maybe Best To Point Out That Unless The Flashgun/camera Combination Allows High Speed Sync, Shutter Speeds Should Be Kept At Or Below The Recommended Flash Sync Speed Of The Camera Being Used,so Check The Manual To Make Sure.
Regardless Of The Flash Sync Speed Capabilities Of A Particular Camera,though, The Fact Remains That Shutter Speed Has Little Or No Bearing On Exposure Of The Subject When Using Flash. Aperture Is The Important Factor There

Mark H

Agreed