Flash Questions

[steveLe]

I am having trouble with using flash and taking a nicely exposed picture. At first, I would just put it on manual and set the flash outputs. When things don't go my way, I just throw it on auto.

My question is... when on manual, how come the pictures are all the same (with same flash outputs) when I set different shutter and apertures? I did not upload the pictures onto the computer and carefully check it; but from the previews on the LCD, they all look the same. Is it supposed to be like that?

This is the same when I put it on program mode and raise or lower the exposure. Pictures all come out the same with the same flash intensity. (Looking at Bower's old thread about the rotating flash head, his pictures look different... I will check my pictures later)

Another question would be about "fill flash." What is it? I tried a simple google search and concluded that fill flash was basically setting the intensity of flash to "fill-in" the shadows left by harsher lighting. Is that just it?

Sorry, but I have one more question. I tried Bower's idea of the cardboard reflector. When would that be necessary to use? Whenever I don't want harsh flash on a subject with poor lighting, correct?

I might have more questions, but I cant remember them right now. Sorry if some of the questions are very "noobish." I will try to do my own research and find the answers myself... but this community truly makes everything seem so much simpler. Thanks in advance to those who have comments and/or answers =)

Thank you,
-steveLe

[BowerR64]

I had this problem in the begining also. There is a setting on the camera called sfty shift. When your using the flash in manual are you up over 1/500 on the shutter? You may have to control it with the F stop if the flash is to much.

I had to play around with the flash alot before i figured it out. Once i figured it out it got alot easier. Since my lighting in my room is always the same or very close i have a good idea what i need to do. Depending on what im shooitng or how big i set the flash about 5 feet with a diffuser wich softens the flash so its not beam like. Its more lampshade like if that makes sence?

I find the reflecter good for almost everything that is within a certin distance and indoors. Its using the ceiling as a reflecter. White seems to be the best for spreading out light so if you use the ceiling it seems to spread the light out alot better.

The fill flash is like an extra source of light. Say your outside and your shooting somthing that has light hitting it on the right side. There is plenty of light because your outdoors but the left side is just a little dark and you want that more lit up. You can use the flash to fill in that shadow so that the subject looks more full.

The top 2 are no flash, the bottom is with a "flash fill"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/BowerR64/Camera/Fillflash.jpg

[BowerR64]

What are you wanting to shoot? maybe i can give you some things to try. Post what you have taken and some of the settings maybe we can see somthing that is set wrong.

I like flash because its small and portable. It requires alot of testing though because you dont know how its going to look till after it fires but thats ok because i dont have the space for lots of high power lights.

[downtrodden]

When i saw this Steve, i was going to say "direct your question to Bower" He seems to be the Flash God.

Flash Master Bower..

He'll give you some schoolin' on Flash.

Haha.. I know. Dork.

~Cory

[steveLe]

Here is another question... is it just me or does pictures in AUTO, with flash, look brighter than pictures in MANUAL, with flash?

Bower... I will post pictures soon =]

[BowerR64]

What about P mode? try P mode its almost auto but you can adjust ev, exsposure, turn on the image effects and tweak ISO setting.

I think auto uses 100 iso and it uses different light metering.

[steveLe]

Yea, I do try and use P mode. I think it gives me the better pictures =)

For some reason, the exposure compensation is bugged? i crank it to +2 and the picture is over exposed. but when I put it to -2, it is the SAME shot as +2? i figured that i might just be too close to the object, but i tired with different subjects and same thing. is that normal?

for everything else really... just more practice shots would be the answer. i have to get used to all the flash terminology and how it actually works. thanks bower!

[BowerR64]

Yea, I do try and use P mode. I think it gives me the better pictures =)

For some reason, the exposure compensation is bugged? i crank it to +2 and the picture is over exposed. but when I put it to -2, it is the SAME shot as +2? i figured that i might just be too close to the object, but i tired with different subjects and same thing. is that normal?

for everything else really... just more practice shots would be the answer. i have to get used to all the flash terminology and how it actually works. thanks bower!


Was your flash on max?

[steveLe]

everything was the same... flash was on the highest.

[BowerR64]

everything was the same... flash was on the highest.

Maybe my camera settings are not right? were you trying that reflecter board thing?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/BowerR64/Camera/A540bounceflash.jpg

[steveLe]

nope... everything was stock. P mode with exposure set to +2 or -2 and flash +2... and i just aimed and took a shot.

here are pictures:

http://stevele.net/IMG_1092.jpg
File Name IMG_1092.JPG
Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Shooting Date/Time 10/5/2006 4:41:22 AM
Shooting Mode Program AE
My Colors Mode Off
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60
Av (Aperture Value) 3.5
Light Metering Evaluative
Exposure Compensation +2
ISO Speed Auto
Lens 6.0 - 72.0 mm
Focal Length 28.4 mm
Digital Zoom None
IS Mode Shoot Only
Image Size 2816x2112
Image Quality Superfine
Flash On
Flash Type Built-In Flash
Flash Exposure Compensation +2
Red-eye On
Shutter curtain sync 2nd-curtain
White Balance Auto
AF Mode Single AF
Parameters Contrast +2
Sharpness +1
Saturation Normal
Color Space sRGB
File Size 2340 KB
Drive Mode Single-frame shooting
Owner's Name

http://stevele.net/IMG_1094.jpg
File Name IMG_1094.JPG
Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Shooting Date/Time 10/5/2006 4:41:52 AM
Shooting Mode Program AE
My Colors Mode Off
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60
Av (Aperture Value) 3.5
Light Metering Evaluative
Exposure Compensation -2
ISO Speed Auto
Lens 6.0 - 72.0 mm
Focal Length 28.4 mm
Digital Zoom None
IS Mode Shoot Only
Image Size 2816x2112
Image Quality Superfine
Flash On
Flash Type Built-In Flash
Flash Exposure Compensation +2
Red-eye On
Shutter curtain sync 2nd-curtain
White Balance Auto
AF Mode Single AF
Parameters Contrast +2
Sharpness +1
Saturation Normal
Color Space sRGB
File Size 2416 KB
Drive Mode Single-frame shooting
Owner's Name

[BowerR64]

Go in the menue and put the flash on first curtin.

Put the flash at 0
exsposure at 0
and the contrast at 0
use P mode again

I think the flash is set to high for how close you are. try 0 then try -1

[steveLe]

well my batteries are charging right now... soo i cant get back to you with an answer. it might just be because i was close to the subject. thanks again bower =)