BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Flash Photography

Julie Takamori

Using a Tripod and Wireless Release


	Too Dark Used tripod w/wireless release. Don't know what went wrong. Julie Takamori
	On camera timer with timer on camera, a little better. Julie Takamori
	Fix uped used post fixing Julie Takamori

I used my tripod to take a group photo. The first was a practice shot and it turned out good. The second came out dark with the wireless release, and the third is my "fix" up. Where did I go wrong?

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October 19, 2009

R K Stephenson

What mode did you shoot the 'wireless' shot in?

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October 20, 2009

Jon Close

The viewfinder eyepiece needs to be covered when shooting with the remote control in any autoexposure mode. Otherwise, light enters through the viewfinder and the meter reads more light than there actually is.
If your group is in deep shade with a bright background, the use of fill flash would help balance the subject and background exposures.

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October 20, 2009

Jon Close

P.S. While the eyepiece was uncovered when the shutter tripped using the self-timer, the exposure was locked while you were looking through the eyepiece which blocks stray light from entering.

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October 20, 2009

- Carlton Ward

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Hi Julie,
You have some strong backlighting in this shot and the people are in the shadow area. If you meter correctly to get the group exposed properly, you are going to have a really blown-out background.
You want to get more light on the group and a couple of speed-lights with a remote transmitter would work well for this type of shot. I have the 580EX, and a 430EX with stands and umbrellas and an STE2 transmitter. Both flashes can be set up away from the camera and triggered by the STE2 or the 580 will also work as a master flash and you can slave the 430 off the 580 but this way will require the 580 to be attached to the camera. Alien Bees or other strobes would work well for this to,o but these require AC - so the battery-powered Speedlites may be preferred.
Hope this helps!

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October 20, 2009

Julie Takamori

Thanks everyone. I checked my properties & it shows the exposure going from 1/25 up to 1/160. I did forget about fill flash in the moment. It's amazing how my other photos of that morning came out a lot better-I wasn't in them. I'll review my notes on metering & back lighting.
My next family gathering is around Christmas, will be a lot better prepared.

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October 20, 2009

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