Shutter speed limitations

jan211 · May 5, 2014

Hello. I am trying to recreate a type of photo that I saw in a video for low key lighting. The photographer used only his camera set to an aperture of 5.6 I believe and a shutter speed of 1/350. The model was not close to any background. Using the speedlite in one hand and his camera in the other he was able to take the picture with the background completely black and only the models face lit. The problem that I am having is that with the 7d I need the pop up flash to activate the 600 ex speedlite. Popping up the flash seems to limit me to 1/250. Is there a way around this?

Overread · May 5, 2014

Watch this video

I've honestly not used the popup in so long that I can't recall if it has a highspeed flash mode nor if it can be a commander flash only with that mode. If I recall right the only way to get offcamera flash with highspeed sync is to use cable connectors or the new Pocket Wizards for Canon which have the highspeed sync feature (I'm unsure if the Canon 600EX has the feature in its radio wireless setup)

Braineack · May 5, 2014

no reason you can't do the same at 1/250 or even 1/160.

or even 1/125, f/5.6, iso100:

but i highly suggest you get a remote/wired trigger and understanding how aperture works.

Braineack · May 5, 2014

but i've used this video before:

a bit more in depth about the light fall off, plus a better model to stare at.

Derrel · May 5, 2014

BEST SIMPLE video demo ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ of how to utilize the inverse square law that I've seen!

hirejn · May 7, 2014

This type lighting uses the principles of studio lighting. If you understand exposure and light, this is easy. You need to be at flash sync speed, so it doesn't pay to go faster than that unless you're in TTL. At ISO 100 and f/5.6, 1/250 should be enough to block out most ambient light, enabling only the flash to record on the exposure. There may be some spill on the background if you don't have a modifier. In almost any room, if you drop the ISO to 100, you'll block most if not all of the light. The only ambient light that may record is from light sources such as windows or fixtures. Off-camera lighting is much easier to do with a light stand.

cynicaster · May 8, 2014

Anecdotally, I remember screwing around with this type of photo in my garage a while back, and I was able to completely block out the ambient light at ISO100, 1/200, and f/8 or so. Don't let your max sync speed stand in your way here, that's for sure.

Braineack · May 8, 2014

Yep. Honestly, set you camera to iso100 and your max sync-speed.

now adjust the aperture smaller until you get a black image. Add a speedlight.

jan211 · May 9, 2014

Thank you everyone for your help. The links to the videos were perfect. I was able to recreate this type of photograph but even more importantly, was able to begin to understand the concept behind it!

Braineack · May 9, 2014

jan211 said:
Thank you everyone for your help. The links to the videos were perfect. I was able to recreate this type of photograph but even more importantly, was able to begin to understand the concept behind it!

pics or it didn't happen!

jan211 · May 16, 2014

Here are the results. I used a softbox on one side and a silver reflector on the other side. Any advise on what I can do to make these better would be appreciated.

Derrel · May 16, 2014

Hey, you got it done!!!! You achieved a totally dark backdrop AND studio-type flash lighting on a portrait subject! I might crop a bit of space off of the top of the second shot. Overall, you achieved a nice, soft, quiet type of rich lighting effect on this little girl. I like the large catchlights that the lighting created. You could probably process these any number of ways to achieve various good, and differing, types of results. Maybe add more "digital fill lighting", perhaps do some Lightroom pre-set effects, and so on...whatever you want.

Good thread! People helping people take better pics!