Flash Photography - Need Book Recommendation

[xseption]

hello fellow TPFers!

I need a Book Recommendation for using a flash on my Canon Rebel XTi. I have purchased a cord so I have some off camera maneuverability. I just need some instruction concerning flash so that I can try to learn a little faster.

Thanks!

~ edd

[lancemoreland]

No purchase required. All you would ever want to know and more about the EOS flash system. Parts I, II and III.

Start with Part I here:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

[Gordon]

I'd agree with Lance. You won't find better info on the Canon flash system than that.
Also you can try http://www.strobist.com for ideas on how to use the flash, once you've learned all the technical gubbins from the photonotes articles.

[Daniel Bates]

(for the non-British, gubbins = "bits" or "fragments"...)

[lancemoreland]

Oh, I forgot. Here is the short lesson.

1. Set the camera to manual mode.
2. Set the shutter speed to a speed suitable to sync.
3. Set the aperture to any opening to create the desired effect.
4. Verify that the shutter speed / aperture setting requires more light for proper exposure (adjust as required to make sure more light is required) and ETTL will do the rest.

Edit: 5. Do not use flash in aperture priority mode unless you know what you are doing and know what you are trying to achieve.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by lancemoreland

Oh, I forgot. Here is the short lesson.

1. Set the camera to manual mode.
2. Set the shutter speed to a speed suitable to sync.
3. Set the aperture to any opening to create the desired effect.
4. Verify that the shutter speed / aperture setting requires more light for proper exposure (adjust as required to make sure more light is required) and ETTL will do the rest.

Edit: 5. Do not use flash in aperture priority mode unless you know what you are doing and know what you are trying to achieve.

Is this appropriate for any flash that works on the Rebel? I purchased the Speedlite 430EX.

Thanks!

~ edd

[lancemoreland]

Originally Posted by xseption

Is this appropriate for any flash that works on the Rebel? I purchased the Speedlite 430EX.

Thanks!

~ edd

Yes. Any flash that is ETTL

[bradh]

Glad to see this thread because I've always been meh with my 430ex. Virtually the only time I actually used auto mode was WITH the damn flash on the camera. Funny.

[xseption]

Thanks again for the info ... it was both informational and practical

[wondershots]

Originally Posted by Gordon

I'd agree with Lance. You won't find better info on the Canon flash system than that.
Also you can try http://www.strobist.com for ideas on how to use the flash, once you've learned all the technical gubbins from the photonotes articles.

Ditto strobitst.com. Especially check out the Lighting 101 section. -Jim

[engstrom]

Originally Posted by lancemoreland

Edit: 5. Do not use flash in aperture priority mode unless you know what you are doing and know what you are trying to achieve.

Maybe I just know what I'm doing but I've found that when I want a little fill Av with high-speed sync and FEC of -1 2/3 or so often works well. Obviously there's no hard and fast rules for the amount of FEC.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by engstrom

Maybe I just know what I'm doing but I've found that when I want a little fill Av with high-speed sync and FEC of -1 2/3 or so often works well. Obviously there's no hard and fast rules for the amount of FEC.

Especially if you do not know what FEC means ...

[dreemes]

You might want to take a look at the DVD from Blue Crane titled Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX/430EX. B&H has it: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

[engstrom]

Originally Posted by xseption

Especially if you do not know what FEC means ...

FEC - Flash Exposure Compensation. The ETTL system will try to provide enough flash to properly and completely expose the subject. Many cases, however, you just want the flash to add a little light to brighten the shadows instead of completely expose the subject. This is often the case where you want fill flash - the ambient light provides most of the exposure and the flash just fills in the shadows. By setting the FEC to -1 2/3 you're telling the flash to provide one and two thirds less stops of light than it normally would to completely expose the subject.

[xseption]

thanks for the info, Dan and John!