Under expose the background?

[Vtec44]

I'm assuming this is achieved by a combination of fill flash and faster shutter speed? For example, if I want to under expose the background 2 stops, I'll keep my aperture the same but in crease the shutter speed from 1/50 to 1/200? Am I doing this right?

 

[kundalini]

For flash photography, the shutter speed affects the ambient light. So yes, you're on the right path.

 

[DisasterDan]

Meter for the subject, then bring down two stops. Use fill to expose the subject. Your aperture will control your flash.

 

[clanthar]

You're on the right track -- two things:

1. 2 stops is a lot of underexposure.

2. Watch the terminology here. Normally I prefer not to nitpick at folks over the right words etc.. But in this case how you put it into words can really influence what your doing. It's not fill flash if the flash is the dominant light source. You're talking about taking a flash photo and including some ambient exposure. When you're using fill flash the ambient light is the exposure source and the fill comes in under that to soften the shadows. What you're describing is entirely different -- you're taking a flash photo. Exposure is determined by the flash and you need to know that value and make sure you know how the ambient light compares. At a given ISO: flash exposure is a function of f/stop, flash power and flash to subject distance while the ambient light exposure is a function of f/stop and shutter speed.

Joe

 

[Vtec44]

You're on the right track -- two things:

1. 2 stops is a lot of underexposure.

2. Watch the terminology here. Normally I prefer not to nitpick at folks over the right words etc.. But in this case how you put it into words can really influence what your doing. It's not fill flash if the flash is the dominant light source. You're talking about taking a flash photo and including some ambient exposure. When you're using fill flash the ambient light is the exposure source and the fill comes in under that to soften the shadows. What you're describing is entirely different -- you're taking a flash photo. Exposure is determined by the flash and you need to know that value and make sure you know how the ambient light compares. At a given ISO: flash exposure is a function of f/stop, flash power and flash to subject distance while the ambient light exposure is a function of f/stop and shutter speed.

Joe

Yeah, it's fill in flash since that's all I do these days - taking pictures under the harsh day light. I also recently got a 3-stops ND filter, hopefully this will help with the DOF a bit too.

Flash filling not too long ago...

 

[clanthar]

You're on the right track -- two things:

1. 2 stops is a lot of underexposure.

2. Watch the terminology here. Normally I prefer not to nitpick at folks over the right words etc.. But in this case how you put it into words can really influence what your doing. It's not fill flash if the flash is the dominant light source. You're talking about taking a flash photo and including some ambient exposure. When you're using fill flash the ambient light is the exposure source and the fill comes in under that to soften the shadows. What you're describing is entirely different -- you're taking a flash photo. Exposure is determined by the flash and you need to know that value and make sure you know how the ambient light compares. At a given ISO: flash exposure is a function of f/stop, flash power and flash to subject distance while the ambient light exposure is a function of f/stop and shutter speed.

Joe

Yeah, it's fill in flash since that's all I do these days - taking pictures under the harsh day light. I also recently got a 3-stops ND filter, hopefully this will help with the DOF a bit too.

Flash filling not too long ago...

This photo is not fill flash. It's a flash photo outdoors taken with matching ambient light that you then tried to suppress. The flash in this case is not being used to fill shadows. The flash is the dominant light source for the exposure of your subject. To further suppress the ambient light raise the shutter speed. If you can't do that because you're already at sync shutter speed then increase the flash power and stop the lens down accordingly.

Joe

 

[Vtec44]

I took this photo and used flash with the intention of softening the shadows on her forehead and chin. The other flash is to soften the shadows on the balloons, caused by the flash on camera right. The sun was beating down on us, 100 degrees at 5pm. My SB600's were about 10ft away using built-in diffuser at 14mm zoom.

 

[kundalini]

I agree with Joe that your example is a flash photo. You have effectively removed the light from the sun on your model. You can tell by looking at the shadows in the background. They look to be ~30-45° to camera right. This would cause some modeling on the right side of your model's face for sure, but the only shadows are coming from the falsh on camera left. The shadows are most notable on her chest and torso caused by the balloons and string, but there is some slight shadowing on her forehead from her hair style. Looking a bit closer, there also sems to be some from her nose or there is a skin discoloration.

Still, it is a good shot. :thumbsup:

 

[Vtec44]

Looking a bit closer, there also sems to be some from her nose or there is a skin discoloration.

That's why I'm still out there practicing

 

[kundalini]

That's why I'm still out there practicing

I'm constantly practicing. Here's two posts of my practicing with flash & ambient outdoor shooting that may help.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...armonizing-ambient-light-ocf.html#post2214725

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...you-take-pictures-black-cats.html#post1891866


Mind you, I think I ruffled a few feathers in those treads too. It's a tendancy that I also have to constantly work on.

 

[Vtec44]

The 2nd thread is pretty much what I've been trying to practice. The concept is not that hard, just that I want to be quick and consistent with it. So far, I'm neither. lol