Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

mscates176 · Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 77

Hi

This is nothing to do with stock but ive been trying to use my canon 60d along with my 580exii at parties without much success. Exposures are all over the place, either over or underexposed. Im using ettl on flash. Set camera to manual iso 400, f8 shutter 1/60, using center weighted metering

Im not sure what im doing wrong. Can someone give me any tips?

Thanks
Mark

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 8:10 am

Use ISO-100 and RTM is all i can say because we really have no idea what else you are doing.

The flash is fully adjustable

darla · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 889

Don't forget to get model releases if you want to sell these.

semmickphoto · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 12:46 pm

Reading the OPs post I dont think the photos are meant for stock and will also never be accepted. I think the MR is the least of his problems.

mscates176 · Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 77

Thanks for the responses. The pics have no commercial value. Im just trying to learn how to use my camera and flash at parties. The exposure is all over the place. I think it might be because of metering off of the people clothes instead of their skin so the flash is ecposing for their black or white clothes which is causing a problem.

semmickphoto · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:14 pm

mscates176 · Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 77

Thankyou thats quite useful. I will see what diffusers i can get

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3300

I'm guessing that the overexposed shots are ones where the subject is close and the underexpose ones are where the subject is further away. I think having the camera in manual mode without fully understanding the features and limitations of the flash is the problem.

To start, set your camera to full auto and the flash to ETTL and then try and I'm betting your exposures will be much better.

After that, you need to go through the manual one page at at a time and do some test shots in the various modes until it starts to make sense.

mauijon · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 4282 Location: Maui, Hawaii

In Auto or Program mode, tilt the flash up and use bounce flash. This should be good for parties.

mscates176 · Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 77

Thanks to everyone for their help. I seem to have solved it now. using the flash direct seems to be the main problem, its best to aim it upwards and use the white card to reflect the light forwards. This seems to give much better results.

rinder99 · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:27 pm