horrible flash results

asamuel · August 18, 2006

ISO 200, manual mode camera,

canon350D, flash 430EX

Nothing has been done to the image for correction. Its shot in Raw, I like the fluidity of the manual function and the light level is not an issue im interested in.

.............its that bloody meshing in the shadows thats getting me, actually the meshing every where. whats that about?

Or more importantly how do I avoid it?

ballentphoto · August 18, 2006

asamuel wrote:

ISO 200, manual mode camera,

canon350D, flash 430EX

Nothing has been done to the image for correction. Its shot in Raw, I like the fluidity of the manual function and the light level is not an issue im interested in.

.............its that bloody meshing in the shadows thats getting me, actually the meshing every where. whats that about?

Or more importantly how do I avoid it?

First I am a Nikon user

: but it appears that you are using the flash off the camera correct? Also it appears that the flash was pointed straight at her ... so I would actually point the flash upward probably 20º-30º or so off of straight up. That should bounce off the ceiling and help fill in the other side. If that flash has a built in flash card you can use that too to throw more light toward her, or point the flash straight up with the card

claudermilk · August 18, 2006

Definitely bounce the flash, you will be amazed at the difference that simple change makes.

I'm pretty sure the 430EX does not have a built in bounce card (I think you have to go all the way to a 580EX which does...nice feature); but, the simple age old trick of an index card & rubber band takes care of that.

asamuel · August 19, 2006

understand you on the bounce flash. I am pretty sure this shot is with the flash semi swivelled and tilted and then bounced of my hand.

I am enjoying bouncing of my hand as it is totally unscientific but giving me an understanding of positioning. I am considering covering my right hand in industrial paint for this reason.

But my proble with this picture is that it looks like its been taken through my mothers hessian stocking........whats that about, how do I stop the picture breaking up this way?

Blurmore · August 19, 2006

looks like noise to me. More noise than the ISO 200 as indicated in your exif should yield. My suggestion is to stop bouncing things off of your hand :P
This flash (I believe) like the 580ex transmits WB data to the camera, bouncing it off of your orangish/pinkish hand can't do anything good for that. Seriously it looks like noise, or wierd flash spill that got bounced off the ceiling and spread back there just enough to make the pixels in that dark area register noise. I'm sure that isn't possible, paint your hand or get some copy paper.

ballentphoto · August 19, 2006

Blurmore wrote:

looks like noise to me. More noise than the ISO 200 as indicated in your exif should yield. My suggestion is to stop bouncing things off of your hand :P
This flash (I believe) like the 580ex transmits WB data to the camera, bouncing it off of your orangish/pinkish hand can't do anything good for that. Seriously it looks like noise, or wierd flash spill that got bounced off the ceiling and spread back there just enough to make the pixels in that dark area register noise. I'm sure that isn't possible, paint your hand or get some copy paper.

Worst case scenario, use white tissue paper as a diffuser, and bounce it up. Since you twisted the flash all light was going to the right of the image. The only time that I twist my flash is to bounce off a nearby wall and its probably still pointed upward. With all that, I am so spoiled by off camera flash, I really do not know how I did it without it. Set the flash to one side, still bounce it and shoot away. Since its Nikon Boy for me I do not know how the flash system works with Canon, but my technique is universal for all systems.

asamuel · August 19, 2006

Got it. It cannot be bounce fill from the ceiling because there is no ceiling.

Must be that the WB is screwy because of the fleshy qualities of my mortal hand dangnamit. curse this hand. I'm going to think seriously about changing it.

> also understand not to swivel the flash too much as it makes an imbalance in the light 'spread'. I will bare that in mind, but still play with it as the flash feels so creative it makes me want to do crazy things.

Thanks peeps

Marc S · August 20, 2006

Might consider checking the zoom on that flash. A high zoom on the flash will make it look more like a spot light. Also, perhaps power down the flash a little?

I really am not sure but that's my .0000002 cents

Regards

LuckyBob · August 21, 2006

Take a look at this awesome article on the ESO flash system to get a feel for how it works internally. http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

asamuel · August 21, 2006

Thanks for all your help and I can vouch for those photonotes as a good introduction. I will also check on the zoom feature.

Looking at this picture at work, you cannot see any of the meshing in the shadows that I was talking about.

N.B. the question is not about lighting angle per se but about flash image quality.

So again we come to screen calibration and that jazz (On this screen the colour qualities are fine - irrespective of the lighting technique). So I know my home monitor is a dud LCD and I shouldn't trust it........

BUT I still it had never shown this kindo f deterioration. NOW MY QUESTION IS:

If I can see this meshing on a light/crapply calibrated screen....is it image deterioration should I change my technique?

OR

If I cant see the deterioration on a good monitor ......its not their in any practical/worldly viewing sense. I should I pretend like I never saw it and carry on with my technique (If I like it)

claudermilk · August 21, 2006

As soon as you pointed out bouncing off your hand the shot makes sense. Your hand is toning the light, thus the funky WB. Also between that & rotating the head, there's your uneven spread.

For bouncing the flash with no ceiling, take a look at these guys: http://www.lumiquest.com/index.htm I have the Ultrabounce & Promax kit & both work great. I'm also starting to take a look at the Lightsphere setup as that is suppoed to give great results (and since B&H carries it, no more of the widely-discussed order fulfillment issues).

asamuel · August 22, 2006

claudermilk wrote:

. Your hand is toning the light, thus the funky WB. Also between that & rotating the head, there's your uneven spread.

For bouncing the flash with no ceiling, take a look at these guys: http://www.lumiquest.com/index.htm I have the Ultrabounce & Promax kit & both work great. I'm also starting to take a look at the Lightsphere setup as that is suppoed to give great results QUOTE] thanks claudermilk

Now, this stuff looks good. the tute makes it look so simple. Ive been thinking of making some adaptions and this spurs me onwards. A wee bit of white material, some craft wire? Now maybe I'm naive but I've shot my load as it were for buying new kit.

Anybody made something like this blue peter style before? Or why wouldn't it work?

horrible flash results

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