Manual for a complete Noob

[Mrpalmer420]

Hi All,

I just got my first speedlite (430 EX II) last week, and have been playing with it on camera (I will be getting some radio triggers today hopefully to get it off camera).

So far i have been just using E-TTL mode and adjusting the strength through FEC.

I really want to start getting into manually controlling the flash, but my question is this (and it may be a really silly one), It seems that without a light meter, it is all trial and error. How do you know what pawer to start at and adjust from there, or is it something like most things in photography, that just will eventually become second nature?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[davemphoto]

Yes, it is sort of trial and error. Some photographers like using a light meter others like David Hobby (strobist.com) feel that with LCD screens you don't need a light meter. Use the LCD to judge the proper exposure.

I typically always set my flash at 1/2 power. I get faster recycle times and aside from positioning, I set it and forget it. I do all my adjustments in camera. Adjust shutter speed to control the ambient and aperture to control the subject/flash exposure. If I have to, I also adjust my ISO. I can concentrate on composition and interacting with the subject instead of messing around with my flash.

On occasion I've set the flash to full power if I'm outdoors in bright sunlight. I'll make sure to have fresh batteries and give myself extra time for recycle time. If recycle time drops significantly, I'll put in a fresh set of batteries. I always carry at least 2 sets of fresh batteries just in case.

If you haven't done so already, check out Lighting 101 on Strobist.com. I believe there is a drop down menu on the right side to access these lessons. Go through the exercises and follow the blog post. You'll learn a lot and it'll all come together.

Good luck.

[shotupdave]

After a while you will begin to know your flashes and your umbrellas and what ƒ-stop to use at a certain distance. You maybe a 1/2 stop off ever so often. Its the new lighting setups you will test that will take a little more to hit the button. But if this was easy everyone would be doing it.

[Mrpalmer420]

Thanks Guys, Very helpful.

Got my eBay Special Radio receivers last night and i have to say. that everything looked so darn HArsh, Now i like that dramatic look sometimes but not always. I guess that is because i do not have an umbrella or soft box yet to help... well... soften the light. I even had it as far down as 1/64 and it still seemed harsh.

Love learning these techniques. And i love the strobist site. Been working through that on my free time as well as here.

[Pip]

Don't forget to work your way through what's on the parent site to this forum too, speedliting.com - there's some great info on there about how to get started.
Keep with it, it's fun!

[shotupdave]

Direct flash is alays going to look harsh. All of the speedlights are very small light sources when it come to shooting people. Try hanging a bed sheet up and and shoot the flash thru it. It becomes a wonder soft light. Bringing the power down does not change the size of the flash. If you want to make a cheap DIY softbax. Take a 24x24x12 box, line the insides with foil and use an old T-shirt for the front. You can hold the tshirt on with thumbtacks or clamps, cut a hole in the back and you have a very workable softbox.