The two most valuable exposure aids with flash are white and black hand towels draped over a light stand. Start by setting camera aperture for desired DOF. Next put a flash directly above the lens and head of subject. Since buying my first digital camera in 2000 I’ve used the same Stroboframe Camera-Flip bracket. It’s no longer sold but a similar one is available. This is the FILL flash. Raise its power until detail is seen in the Black towel in the playback. Put your second Key flash 45° from the camera axis and above the head of subject and raise it’s power until the white towel is 1/3 stop below triggering the clipping warning. This will expose everything between black and white with the same contrast and detail normally seen by eye because it matches the range of the scene at the distance of the towel targets to the range of the sensor exactly. For lighter shadows and a softer look just start with more Fill power. For darker shadows? Record them with detail in black towel at capture then pull them darker when editing. Underexposing dark objects at capture will result in nothing but noise in the shadows. Moving Fill off the camera axis will cause it to create shadows the camera sees which will also wind-up as unfilled dark voids filled with noise.
If you can find a way to use the strobe at a lower power (like use a higher ISO or wider aperture), it might make a significant difference in recycle time.
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Appreciate your videos so much. They are clear and concise!!
This is a great video
Useful Especially, it's on new to using lights.I'm a landscape photographer dabling in portrait.Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you, Ed! Very well explained!
@@dkunst338 thanks! I hope it comes in handy.
Muchas gracias.
The two most valuable exposure aids with flash are white and black hand towels draped over a light stand.
Start by setting camera aperture for desired DOF.
Next put a flash directly above the lens and head of subject. Since buying my first digital camera in 2000 I’ve used the same Stroboframe Camera-Flip bracket. It’s no longer sold but a similar one is available. This is the FILL flash. Raise its power until detail is seen in the Black towel in the playback.
Put your second Key flash 45° from the camera axis and above the head of subject and raise it’s power until the white towel is 1/3 stop below triggering the clipping warning.
This will expose everything between black and white with the same contrast and detail normally seen by eye because it matches the range of the scene at the distance of the towel targets to the range of the sensor exactly. For lighter shadows and a softer look just start with more Fill power. For darker shadows? Record them with detail in black towel at capture then pull them darker when editing.
Underexposing dark objects at capture will result in nothing but noise in the shadows. Moving Fill off the camera axis will cause it to create shadows the camera sees which will also wind-up as unfilled dark voids filled with noise.
Interesting approach. I’d like to experiment with it at some point.
Great video!
this helps a lot. I have Westport fj400 and been using at 9 and I can’t seem to get them to reset fast enough. I do rodeo
If you can find a way to use the strobe at a lower power (like use a higher ISO or wider aperture), it might make a significant difference in recycle time.
@@edverosky my iso is usually 4000 covered arena with garbage lighting and moving subjects