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Photography Question 

Carin Griffith 		 

Using Fill Flash Correctly Outdoors


 
 
I would love some advice on using fill flash properly in outdoor photos. I shoot with a Nikon D-70 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 with SB 600 flash. I love the look of more natural lighting, but often times need the fill outside. I shoot in ISO 200 outdoors... the first picture shown seems very unnatural on the little boy -- almost blown out on his skin. (Picture details: aperture priority f/7.1 ss 1/500 focal length 35 mm) The second is actually looks pretty good, but I don't know why (program mode f/10 ss 1/400 52 mm) The third is too dark on her face (program mode, f/9 ss 1/320 52 mm) I keep my flash on TTL mode. Can anyone give me some pointers on using fill flash outside so they can look more natural and I can get consistent results!?! THANKS! (I'm posting pics for the first time, so I hope I do it right!) Thanks for being patient to "new post-ers!"


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July 28, 2006

 

Bret Tate 		  Carrin:

"Fill" flash is for what the name implies - filling in (adding light to) the shadows. In the first two examples that you posted there would be no need for fill flash. The main light source is coming from behind the camera so the shadows are already "filled". The third example does need fill flash. How much to use is a matter of personal taste. try experimenting with various amounts of diffusion and flash exposure compensation -1/3, -2/3, -1 stop, etc. until you find a result that you like. I hope that this helps somewhat.


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July 28, 2006

 

Carin Griffith 		  Bret, Thanks for taking the time to respond. Also, thanks for politely telling me what should have been very OBVIOUS -- that I wouldn't need fill with the sun beaming on my subjects! Silly me! Sometimes I get so caught up in all of the technical stuff my common sense flies right out the window! Your other comment about experimenting with various amounts of flash exposure compensation is what I often do, so I feel better that I'm on the right track. I just need to experiment more! Thanks again for your time!


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July 29, 2006

 

Michael H. Cothran 		  The most crucial time to use fill flash is when the main light (the sun) is harsh (most of the time). I would recommend using fill all the time for images like those you posted which include people as the main subject(s).
However, you do need to tame down the fill so that it does what it's suppose to do, ie, fill in the dark shadow areas. I find on Nikon bodies that a -.7 is the brightest for attractive, but natural looking fill. Find a scene, and take a shot @ -.7, -1.0, -1.3, and -1.7. Then study the results, and choose the ones you like the most. Note - as a general rule of thumb, a -1.0 or -1.3 reduction in fill seems to be the most pleasing to me.
Michael H. Cothran


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July 29, 2006

 

Carin Griffith 		  Michael - Thanks for the very helpful info -- I will definitely try out the different reductions to see what works the best! Thanks again!


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July 29, 2006

 

Pete H 		  Hello Carin,

First; I have to differ with one of the posters. Although a subject is lit in direct light, it is the angle of the sunlight striking your subject, not how bright the light is.
For instance, at noon when the sun is high, I will most certainly use fill, otherwise we get dark eye sockets and all sorts of nasty shadows depending on our subjects shape. It is called "Balanced fill."
Early morning or late afternoon with your subject well lit will probably not need fill, unless you are going for a certain effect.

In your 1st photo, "fill flash" would not work as your subject is too far from the camera.
Notice I did NOT say "Fill" would not work. There are several ways to "fill in" shadows.

All the best,

Pete


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July 30, 2006

 
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