Assignment #37: Fill Flash

24

Comments

  • hawkeye978hawkeye978 Registered Users Posts: 1,218 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    I think your first pair is right on the spot. You have birghter b/g which you want to be exposed properly and you have the all-important f/g subject (a thumbstone) that does not stand a chance unless you help it. Which you did. thumb.gif

    The second one fails to provide the correct settings. It's simply too dark overall to use the "fill flash" concept. At this point a longer exposure would be your tool of choice. Also, note that there is no primary target on the f/g. You're shooting down the alley, and flash is a poor instrument for this kind of scene, since its light falls off too quickly with distance (squared too quickly, to be precise:-).

    As a reminder: fill flash is not there to be noticeable. It is there to avoid the inadequacy of the linear "all-objects-are-created-equal" light recording capabilities of the camera as opposed to the target-oriented and real-time-adaptive human eye.

    HTH

    Thanks Nikolai, got it.
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2007
    Not my best but the assignment is accomplished
    157395826-M.jpg 157396194-M.jpg
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2007
    room
    Very good Antonio, definitely a solid case here. thumb.gif
    Fill flash is very helpful in such circumstances. deal.gif
    The only trick is to hide its tell-tell signs mwink.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    Very good Antonio, definitely a solid case here. thumb.gif
    Fill flash is very helpful in such circumstances. deal.gif
    The only trick is to hide its tell-tell signs mwink.gif
    As I told Nikolai: Not my best ... rolleyes1.gif
    thumb.gif
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • BradfordBennBradfordBenn Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2007
    I think I got it now...
    Here is some tree photos I took. This one is without flash
    157554422-M.jpg
    EXIF Info

    This one is with flash
    157554740-M.jpg
    EXIF Info

    What surprised me was when the Wife was looking at them, the first one she said, that is our front yard tree... then she saw the second photo and tree so I think it worked. Still not shooting art yet, but getting closer.
    -=Bradford

    Pictures | Website | Blog | Twitter | Contact
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2007
    Here is some tree photos I took. This one is without flash
    This one is with flash
    What surprised me was when the Wife was looking at them, the first one she said, that is our front yard tree... then she saw the second photo and tree so I think it worked. Still not shooting art yet, but getting closer.

    Brad,

    you definitely got it right now! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2007
    My attempt
    You have seen this place before-
    1.
    156976513-L.jpg

    1/6 F8 ISO 100 23mm 2nd one same but with FL50 flash - manual mode +3.0

    156976798-L.jpg


    2.
    156975646-L.jpg

    1/13 F8 ISO 100 14mm 2nd same but with FL50 flash - manual mode +3.0

    156975376-L.jpg

    Not supper but it works right? :D
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2007
    Aaron,
    anwmn1 wrote:
    You have seen this place before-
    1.1/6 F8 ISO 100 23mm 2nd one same but with FL50 flash - manual mode +3.0
    2.1/13 F8 ISO 100 14mm 2nd same but with FL50 flash - manual mode +3.0
    Not supper but it works right? :D

    It'll do. A bit later (after sunset, I mean) and it wouldn't cut it, but you've made it :-) mwink.gif
    Nice entries, thanks! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • ElaineElaine Registered Users Posts: 3,532 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2007
    outdoor, daylight fill
    I posted this in people, but I was thinking of this assignment today when I was shooting my son playing in the sprinkler...

    EDIT: Whoops! Got ahead of myself...I took a ton with flash but this wasn't one of them! I'll replace the pic with one that did use flash in a bit! rolleyes1.gif

    EDIT 2: Thanks for the reminder about needing an unflashed and a flashed! I guess I was rushing to dinner and wasn't paying very good attention...sorry about that.

    Here is unflashed and untouched...
    ISO 200, f/5, 1/100, about 4 feet away, 50mm
    157952116-M-1.jpg

    Here is flashed, with some post processing (admittedly more than I would have liked, but only possible because I used flash, I believe. The light on the face was much more even and the eyes have a bit of catch-light).
    ISO 200, f/5, 1/125, on-camera flash dialed down to -2... I think I could have used a bit more!
    157952693-M.jpg
    Elaine

    Comments and constructive critique always welcome!

    Elaine Heasley Photography
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2007
    Elaine,
    Elaine wrote:
    I posted this in people, but I was thinking of this assignment today when I was shooting my son playing in the sprinkler...

    EDIT: Whoops! Got ahead of myself...I took a ton with flash but this wasn't one of them! I'll replace the pic with one that did use flash in a bit! rolleyes1.gif

    We need a matching pair: with the flash and without it deal.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • ElaineElaine Registered Users Posts: 3,532 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    We need a matching pair: with the flash and without it deal.gif

    Thanks for the reminder, Nik! I edited my previous post. Hope this one qualifies!
    Elaine

    Comments and constructive critique always welcome!

    Elaine Heasley Photography
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2007
    Elaine wrote:
    Thanks for the reminder, Nik! I edited my previous post. Hope this one qualifies!
    It does now! Solid entry! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • ShimaShima Registered Users Posts: 2,547 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    New Curtains
    I took these yesterday, wasn't actually taking them for the assignment, but turns out they work VERY well for it. We just got new curtains thanks to the in-laws visiting and helping us pick them out (we've only been in our house for a little over a month). So in an effort to show my parents who live in New York, I was taking different shots to show them.

    Without flash:
    157296366-M.jpg

    With flash:
    157296521-M.jpg

    And another angle:
    Without:
    157297150-M.jpg

    With:
    157297085-M.jpg
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Shima,
    Shima wrote:
    I took these yesterday, wasn't actually taking them for the assignment, but turns out they work VERY well for it. We just got new curtains thanks to the in-laws visiting and helping us pick them out (we've only been in our house for a little over a month). So in an effort to show my parents who live in New York, I was taking different shots to show them.

    Without flash:
    With flash:
    And another angle:
    Without:
    With:

    Sorry, girl, this is not a fill flash environment. No bright b/g, no large DOF... This is simply a dark scene that requires an extra lighting. ne_nau.gif
    Please read the lead post again and also check the whole thread, you'll see what I mean... deal.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • ShimaShima Registered Users Posts: 2,547 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    Sorry, girl, this is not a fill flash environment. No bright b/g, no large DOF... This is simply a dark scene that requires an extra lighting. ne_nau.gif
    Please read the lead post again and also check the whole thread, you'll see what I mean... deal.gif

    Woops... sorry... will do
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    I consider these assignments more like technical exercises than aesthetics.
    I shot these 2 pics some moments ago.
    They have no interest what so ever under the aestetical point of view. They even are a photo of myself with my too serious face. May be I was too concentrated :D
    Procedure:
    a. Camera on a tripod. I was using the 16-35 mm. The photos were taken with CPF to get a darker a deep sky.
    b. Manual mode - I went outside and read half to the scene and half to the green you see at the right. I have chosen a "pleasant" aperture: 7.1 for enough depth of field and sharpness. I set the focus to about 3 meters and switched off the auto-focus. I wanted me and the castle at the end to be focused.
    c. 1.st shot - no problems. Shoot away.
    d. 2. ed shot - Flash on. Power at 0
    e. Photoshop - Took the 2.ed picture and melt two copies. One for the background and another for myself :D
    That's it.
    Technically I think it is well done. But I think I could even get a better picture.... Just may be.
    Saturday I am going to a much different scenario: I am going to shoot sky-surf with the 20D + 1.4 multiplier + 70-200 + CPF at 200 ISO. The light will be very harsh...
    thumb.gif Please, click on the pictures for a larger view. Thank you.
    158079041-M.jpg158079468-M.jpg
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Antonio,
    I consider these assignments more like technical exercises than aesthetics.
    I shot these 2 pics some moments ago.
    They have no interest what so ever under the aestetical point of view. They even are a photo of myself with my too serious face. May be I was too concentrated :D
    Procedure:
    a. Camera on a tripod. I was using the 16-35 mm. The photos were taken with CPF to get a darker a deep sky.
    b. Manual mode - I went outside and read half to the scene and half to the green you see at the right. I have chosen a "pleasant" aperture: 7.1 for enough depth of field and sharpness. I set the focus to about 3 meters and switched off the auto-focus. I wanted me and the castle at the end to be focused.
    c. 1.st shot - no problems. Shoot away.
    d. 2. ed shot - Flash on. Power at 0
    e. Photoshop - Took the 2.ed picture and melt two copies. One for the background and another for myself :D
    That's it.
    Technically I think it is well done. But I think I could even get a better picture.... Just may be.
    Saturday I am going to a much different scenario: I am going to shoot sky-surf with the 20D + 1.4 multiplier + 70-200 + CPF at 200 ISO. The light will be very harsh...
    thumb.gif Please, click on the pictures for a larger view. Thank you.

    While blending two exposures in PS is often a good idea, this particular exercise is geared towards using the fill flash to take one correct shot, since IRL you often don't have a chance for a second. The non-flash version I ask for is only requested for comparison/educational purposes.

    We're not looking for perfect pictures here (although the good quality is always appreciated), but for improving our techniques... deal.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    While blending two exposures in PS is often a good idea, this particular exercise is geared towards using the fill flash to take one correct shot, since IRL you often don't have a chance for a second. The non-flash version I ask for is only requested for comparison/educational purposes.

    We're not looking for perfect pictures here (although the good quality is always appreciated), but for improving our techniques... deal.gif
    Then, here it is.
    Just a little Curves and Smart Sharpness
    Now it doesn't look so good. It is almost straight from the camera !
    158079041-S.jpg158152970-M.jpg
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Then, here it is.
    Just a little Curves and Smart Sharpness
    Now it doesn't look so good. It is almost straight from the camera !
    I'd say: not enough flash power deal.gif Not by much, but still not enough. ne_nau.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    I'd say: not enough flash power deal.gif Not by much, but still not enough. ne_nau.gif
    Sorry Nikolai.
    I don't agree ! :toni ( I had to use it some day ) rolleyes1.gif
    Look at the first treated photo. It's good.
    It is a good example of fill flash. OK OK those white spots in the window I know ...eek7.gif

    But let me state what I think about fill flash:

    The charme, the class of the use of fill flash is in using it in a so subtle way that, beeing present, it looks as it wasn't.

    My pictures - those posted here - are not "class" examples. Just examples.

    Shall I have time to try again tomorrow ? I don't know.

    I'll try. :Dthumb.gif
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Antonio,
    ...My pictures - those posted here - are not "class" examples. Just examples...
    Exactly. They are examples of the technique that is not for this class. In school, if you bring a homework that has little or nothing to do with the assignment, you won't get good grades. Please think along the same lines here. This not the place where one can go ballsitic. Simple task - simple results. deal.gif For everything else there are Cool shots.
    BTW, as you remember, one of the rules is moderate PP. You've broken it too. ne_nau.gif
    Sorry, my friend, but you're up against a tall and thick concrete wall here, with the barbed wire mwink.gif on top .
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Nikolai wrote:
    Exactly. They are examples of the technique that is not for this class. In school, if you bring a homework that has little or nothing to do with the assignment, you won't get good grades. Please think along the same lines here. This not the place where one can go ballsitic. Simple task - simple results. deal.gif For everything else there are Cool shots.
    BTW, as you remember, one of the rules is moderate PP. You've broken it too. ne_nau.gif
    Sorry, my friend, but you're up against a tall and thick concrete wall here, with the barbed wire mwink.gif on top .

    :crythumb.gif
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • say.cheeeezsay.cheeeez Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    A couple examples. These are not retouched. The following examples are shot with a Canon 30D, Canon 17-55 f2.8 EF-S lens, Canon 430 EX flash off camera & triggered with el'cheapo ebay wireless triggers. Both the camera and flash were in manual mode. Oh, and the flash was handheld by my beautiful wife!

    Here, Johnny is very sad :(: because his flash did not go off = no fill flash.

    524287129_88134059ee.jpg


    Now look, Johnny is much happier :D with fill flash!

    524233650_52544b59fb.jpg
  • say.cheeeezsay.cheeeez Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Example #2:

    Again, Johnny is not very happy because no fill flash :(

    524286703_70dd68c9b2.jpg

    Ah, there we go, much better with fill flash!

    524286831_9e900b1512.jpg
  • say.cheeeezsay.cheeeez Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Example #3:

    Ok, these are all mistakes rather than deliberate, but they still illustrate the point!

    No Fill Flash

    524286891_9a18281013.jpg

    Yes, FILL FLASH! :D

    524286947_7c4256775f.jpg
  • say.cheeeezsay.cheeeez Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Example #4:

    Ok, I guess it is not really an "entry" becuase there is no "before" shot, only an "after" shot with fill flash. But I like this picture and I think it is a good example of fill flash! The fill flash was off camera to the right held by my wife and triggered using the cheap'o ebay triggers.

    524253226_3da2d2e932.jpg
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2007
    Does "flash"light count?
    here's one

    156694733-L.jpg

    And an animation of a few different takes

    Details: long exposure, 30mins.... powerful flash light on the rock art for about 20 seconds or so.


    EDIT: OK, rules are rules..

    Temple of the Moon, no light:
    158297715-L.jpg

    Temple of the Moon, with light naughty.gif

    155083753-L.jpg
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited June 1, 2007
    Say.Cheeeez
    Great entries, thank you very much! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited June 1, 2007
    Andy,
    Andy wrote:
    here's one
    And an animation of a few different takes

    Details: long exposure, 30mins.... powerful flash light on the rock art for about 20 seconds or so.


    EDIT: OK, rules are rules..
    Temple of the Moon, no light:
    Temple of the Moon, with light naughty.gif

    Nice of you to join us! thumb.gif
    I was almost ready to give you a good friendly:whip for breaking the rules, but you've recovered just in time. lol3.gif
    I still think it's more "painting with light" which we didn't cover yet (and we're going to! deal.gif ), but with the objects of that size and distance no flash unit is feasible.
    And judging by the fun you guys had with the flash lights in Utah, I think my 18 million candles toy will be rather popular in Montana rolleyes1.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited June 1, 2007
    Late entries
    158395369-M.jpg158395985-M.jpg

    158394915-M.jpg 158394191-M.jpg
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
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