I decided that in order to take my macro photography to the next level I would need to learn how to utilise a flash for additional light.
I've never really sued a flash before, other than the pop-up flash on my old 40D and EOS 500N in my film days. Most of my photography has been done with a 5D Mark II on EOS 1N - neither of which has a built in flash.
To rememdy this, I bought a 430EX II, an off camera lead, bracket, ball head and diffuser. I know enough to understand that the flash needs to be moved to the front of the lens (with lens hood attached), and that it needs diffusing.
Now for A LOT of practice.
These are a couple of my first shots. The lighting is far from perfect, but I am pleased with the initial results. I look forward to learning how to better use my new stuff, and hopefully taking much better macro photographs.
Both 100mm - 1/125 at f/11
John
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi sorry I deleted my last post as I missed something out you should be able to delete it
ReplyDeleteNice hover fly shots
looking at your exif
you need to be shooting in Manual Mode set your shutter to 1/200th sec,as thats the flash sync of your 5D, So if you want a dark background (BG) ISO 100, and a lighter ISO 200,(which you used) Lighter Still, ISO 400, F stop depends on the amount of DOF you want, F11 which you have used, will produce an over all sharp image of your subject,DOF looks good, dependant on the distance the subject is from the BG a lower F stop F11
Summary
Flash On Camera
Leave your flash on ETTL
ISO 200
Shutter 1/200sec
F stop depends on amount of DOF required but anywhere between F11 and F16
Youll get sharp shots ever time, check my flickr you can see the exif on the border, to study different ISO and F stops
HTHs
Please feel free to follow my blog my flickr you need to go back a few pages for insects youll notice my shutter is 1/250 sec as that the flash sync of my 7D
Dave
Cheers for the info, I was trying to keep the aperture around f/11 and playing around with the shutter speed and ISO. I was finding that for some shots, it was totally over exposed, yet with others (the darker hoverfly is an example) it was the other way. It's probably mainly the positioning of the flash (I have it to the right hand side from above).
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was playing around with the flash exposure compensation. I'm a total newbie to this flash lark, despite about 12 years experience with am slr!
What are the links to your flickr and blog pages?
John
Got them both, and added!
ReplyDeleteHi john just noticed you joined my blog thanks and my flickr I have just made you a contact, are you metering that may be your problem, try using spot metering then it meters for the subject then you may need to adjust your exposure compensation to suit
ReplyDeleteDave
I just had it on manual - of course the camera suggested it was well off. FEC was about +/- 2/3 while I was messing with it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a simple case of practice :-D
John
Yes sure its all down to practice it soon becomes second nature, good thing about using flash sync is you can instead of using EC, you can lower your ISO, to get a darker BG
ReplyDeleteanyway your shots look great and Ive had a look back your doing just fine
do you visit photography forums I can recommend talk photography
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/
My user name is, Just Dave ,if you join as it asks who recommended TP its a fab site you'll learn loads make and meet new friends
Dave
Cheers, I'll have a look at that one - I mainly just stalk Fred Miranda forums, with the odd post here or there!
ReplyDeleteJohn