What am I doing wrong? - The Photo Forum

crystal_lynn · 03-23-2008, 01:07 AM

I did a session today with my niece and set my lights up like I have every other time. However, I kept getting this shadow, especially when I held the camera vertical.

Also, even though I didn't change anything inbetween frames some of the frames are overexposed and some under?? I am so confused!!

Here is an example:

Sw1tchFX · 03-23-2008, 01:20 AM

You're shooting faster than your camera can sync. Your camera syncs only to about 1/200th of a second.

JerryPH · 03-23-2008, 08:16 AM

The pic is tiny, and has no EXIF data... I really wish I could help, but you did not give me very much to work with.

Sw1tchFX mentioned sync speed. What was your shutter speed set to?

Socrates · 03-23-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sw1tchFX

You're shooting faster than your camera can sync. Your camera syncs only to about 1/200th of a second.

I haven't had that problem since the sixties. What camera today will allow that error to occur? Besides, the symptoms should be different - a properly exposed rectangular slit but the surrounding area dark.

Socrates · 03-23-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by crystal_lynn

I did a session today with my niece and set my lights up like I have every other time. However, I kept getting this shadow, especially when I held the camera vertical.

Where is the flash located relative to the camera lens?

Quote: Originally Posted by crystal_lynn

Also, even though I didn't change anything inbetween frames some of the frames are overexposed and some under?? I am so confused!!

Were you taking the shots rapidly without allowing the flash head to recharge?

John_Olexa · 03-23-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Socrates

Were you taking the shots rapidly without allowing the flash head to recharge?

Thats what I am thinking.

Sw1tchFX · 03-23-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Socrates

I haven't had that problem since the sixties. What camera today will allow that error to occur? Besides, the symptoms should be different - a properly exposed rectangular slit but the surrounding area dark.

The PC sync doesn't limit your shutter speed like TTL does. She was shooting at too quick of a shutter speed.

Quote: Originally Posted by Socrates

Where is the flash located relative to the camera lens?

Were you taking the shots rapidly without allowing the flash head to recharge?

Quote: Originally Posted by John_Olexa

Thats what I am thinking.

That doesn't matter. The whole image overall would just be underexposed because the strobes wouldn't have enough time to recycle. You also wouldn't be getting that kind of falloff unless the strobe was flagged, or your sync speed was too high, and I really doubt it was flagged.

crystal_lynn · 03-23-2008, 06:34 PM

I was using 4.6 at 1/250 I believe. There was plenty of time to recycle. So I think Switch is correct, since my other shoots were adults I used a slower shutter. I'll have to check and see...

BTW the main was about 3 feet to the left about 6 inches forward pointing directly right. The fill was about 5 feet in front at a 45 degree angle to her.

I was also playing with the strobe settings to get one to be half the power of the other, but since I kept getting the shadow I got frustrated and the whole shoot just went down hill...

Sw1tchFX · 03-23-2008, 07:10 PM

Yeah, check your exif, 1/250th is your max sync, but the image says otherwise.

crystal_lynn · 03-23-2008, 07:44 PM

I checked and I was using 5.0/250 with my 18-55.

Ok so we figured out the black shadow, but what about the over and under exposure on some photos?

Village Idiot · 03-23-2008, 08:03 PM

What lights are you using and how were you triggering them? Some triggering options can change your max sync speed as well as some lights are rated to fire at lower than your camera's max sync speed.

crystal_lynn · 03-23-2008, 11:37 PM

The lighting set I have is a Square Perfect SP3500.

shorty6049 · 03-23-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by John_Olexa

Thats what I am thinking.

same here, i've experienced that before while using studio flashes for the first time. sounds exactly like what you're describing

tjphotography · 03-25-2008, 12:32 AM

Do you own a light meter? This is invaluable for studio setups. The black on the left edge of your picture is due the shutter opening and closing faster than the light can hit all the subject.

When I shoot studio shots, I usually have my shutter set to 1/60, and the Fstop adjusted to the output of the power for my lights to get the correct exposure.

Travis
www.tjphotography.com

crystal_lynn · 03-25-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tjphotography

Do you own a light meter? This is invaluable for studio setups. The black on the left edge of your picture is due the shutter opening and closing faster than the light can hit all the subject.

When I shoot studio shots, I usually have my shutter set to 1/60, and the Fstop adjusted to the output of the power for my lights to get the correct exposure.

Travis
www.tjphotography.com

Nope a lightmeter is the only piece of equipment I am lacking. I will not have one for at least 6 months, maybe longer. I am about to incur some medical bills that will take up every extra penny plus more I am sure.

What do you mean about setting the fstop to the output of the lights? After switch said it was the sync speed I went back to the manuel for the lights, which by the way is crap, and it only talked about shutter speed. It didn't even talk about the dials on the back, but I think I have figured out that it helps get your lighting ratio by lowering or raising the output.

I am just frustrated because I thought I was making progress, but then all these problems arose.

03-23-2008, 01:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
crystal_lynn I am sure I sound childish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 195 My Photos Are OK to Edit	What am I doing wrong? I did a session today with my niece and set my lights up like I have every other time. However, I kept getting this shadow, especially when I held the camera vertical. Also, even though I didn't change anything inbetween frames some of the frames are overexposed and some under?? I am so confused!! Here is an example: __________________ Canon 40D "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11

03-23-2008, 01:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sw1tchFX TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Portland! Posts: 4,743 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	You're shooting faster than your camera can sync. Your camera syncs only to about 1/200th of a second. __________________ MyFlickr

03-23-2008, 08:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
JerryPH TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 3,921 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	The pic is tiny, and has no EXIF data... I really wish I could help, but you did not give me very much to work with. Sw1tchFX mentioned sync speed. What was your shutter speed set to? __________________ * Just a very enthusiastic "kinda-sorta" amateur with a Nikon * Photography 101: - a picture you place in an album - a photograph you frame and place on your wall

03-23-2008, 08:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
John_Olexa I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 289 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by Socrates Were you taking the shots rapidly without allowing the flash head to recharge? Thats what I am thinking. __________________ What Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey Circus Doesn't want you to know. www.circuses.com

03-23-2008, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sw1tchFX TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Portland! Posts: 4,743 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by Socrates I haven't had that problem since the sixties. What camera today will allow that error to occur? Besides, the symptoms should be different - a properly exposed rectangular slit but the surrounding area dark. The PC sync doesn't limit your shutter speed like TTL does. She was shooting at too quick of a shutter speed. Quote: Originally Posted by Socrates Where is the flash located relative to the camera lens? Were you taking the shots rapidly without allowing the flash head to recharge? Quote: Originally Posted by John_Olexa Thats what I am thinking. That doesn't matter. The whole image overall would just be underexposed because the strobes wouldn't have enough time to recycle. You also wouldn't be getting that kind of falloff unless the strobe was flagged, or your sync speed was too high, and I really doubt it was flagged. __________________ MyFlickr

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03-23-2008, 08:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Socrates Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Exit #5 Posts: 1,182 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by Sw1tchFX You're shooting faster than your camera can sync. Your camera syncs only to about 1/200th of a second. I haven't had that problem since the sixties. What camera today will allow that error to occur? Besides, the symptoms should be different - a properly exposed rectangular slit but the surrounding area dark.

03-23-2008, 08:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Socrates Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Exit #5 Posts: 1,182 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by crystal_lynn I did a session today with my niece and set my lights up like I have every other time. However, I kept getting this shadow, especially when I held the camera vertical. Where is the flash located relative to the camera lens? Quote: Originally Posted by crystal_lynn Also, even though I didn't change anything inbetween frames some of the frames are overexposed and some under?? I am so confused!! Were you taking the shots rapidly without allowing the flash head to recharge?

03-23-2008, 06:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
crystal_lynn I am sure I sound childish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 195 My Photos Are OK to Edit	I was using 4.6 at 1/250 I believe. There was plenty of time to recycle. So I think Switch is correct, since my other shoots were adults I used a slower shutter. I'll have to check and see... BTW the main was about 3 feet to the left about 6 inches forward pointing directly right. The fill was about 5 feet in front at a 45 degree angle to her. I was also playing with the strobe settings to get one to be half the power of the other, but since I kept getting the shadow I got frustrated and the whole shoot just went down hill... __________________ Canon 40D "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11

03-23-2008, 07:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sw1tchFX TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Portland! Posts: 4,743 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	Yeah, check your exif, 1/250th is your max sync, but the image says otherwise. __________________ MyFlickr

03-23-2008, 07:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
crystal_lynn I am sure I sound childish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 195 My Photos Are OK to Edit	I checked and I was using 5.0/250 with my 18-55. Ok so we figured out the black shadow, but what about the over and under exposure on some photos? __________________ Canon 40D "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11

03-23-2008, 08:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
Village Idiot TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shepherdsturd, WV / Almost, MD Posts: 1,989 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit	What lights are you using and how were you triggering them? Some triggering options can change your max sync speed as well as some lights are rated to fire at lower than your camera's max sync speed.

03-23-2008, 11:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
crystal_lynn I am sure I sound childish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 195 My Photos Are OK to Edit	The lighting set I have is a Square Perfect SP3500. __________________ Canon 40D "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11

03-23-2008, 11:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
shorty6049 TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,898 My Photos Are OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by John_Olexa Thats what I am thinking. same here, i've experienced that before while using studio flashes for the first time. sounds exactly like what you're describing __________________ Be sure to visit my flickr Sony Alpha A700, Minolta 50mm f/1.7, ROKKOR f/1.4 Minolta 70-210 f/4 "beercan" Sony 18-70mm Sigma 10-20

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03-25-2008, 12:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
tjphotography TPF Noob! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 10	Do you own a light meter? This is invaluable for studio setups. The black on the left edge of your picture is due the shutter opening and closing faster than the light can hit all the subject. When I shoot studio shots, I usually have my shutter set to 1/60, and the Fstop adjusted to the output of the power for my lights to get the correct exposure. Travis www.tjphotography.com

03-25-2008, 09:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
crystal_lynn I am sure I sound childish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 195 My Photos Are OK to Edit	Quote: Originally Posted by tjphotography Do you own a light meter? This is invaluable for studio setups. The black on the left edge of your picture is due the shutter opening and closing faster than the light can hit all the subject. When I shoot studio shots, I usually have my shutter set to 1/60, and the Fstop adjusted to the output of the power for my lights to get the correct exposure. Travis www.tjphotography.com Nope a lightmeter is the only piece of equipment I am lacking. I will not have one for at least 6 months, maybe longer. I am about to incur some medical bills that will take up every extra penny plus more I am sure. What do you mean about setting the fstop to the output of the lights? After switch said it was the sync speed I went back to the manuel for the lights, which by the way is crap, and it only talked about shutter speed. It didn't even talk about the dials on the back, but I think I have figured out that it helps get your lighting ratio by lowering or raising the output. I am just frustrated because I thought I was making progress, but then all these problems arose. __________________ Canon 40D "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11

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