November 12, 2009

Speedlight Series : Flash POWER away!!! (part 4)

Posted by fotografia at 4:45 PM Labels:

Flash power, it sounds so powerful doesn't it! What sounds so powerful can get a little complicated, but it is actually pretty basic.

I will explain using as few examples as possible so as not to confuse too much.

In a few words flash power is how much light is coming out of your flash. You control your flash power by "dialing down" your flash. In manual mode the settings for one stop are Full Power to 1/2 Power to 1/4 Power to 1/8 Power to 1/16 Power to 1/32 Power to 1/64 Power and so on. Each of these steps is equal to one stop of light or aperture in your camera.

So what does it all mean in basic terms. Simple. If your correct exposure is your flash at full power and your aperture set at f/8. You can "dial down" your flash one stop to 1/2 power and open your aperture one stop to f/5.6 from f/8 and you will get the same exposure. The only thing you will lose is depth of field, which depending on what you are shooting that may be good...or bad.

That was a mouthful...some examples after the break.



So here we go....this image has the correct exposure with the Flash at full power, Aperture at f/11. We have a greater depth of field with this setting, but we are losing battery power...and quickly. The recycle times are lasting around 3 seconds...no good. For our type of shooting, we rather have faster recycling and longer battery life. So we will "dial down" the flash.



Here we are shooting at an aperture of f/5.6 and the flash is set at 1/4 power. Hooray!!! We're happy!!! Same exposure, little less depth of field, but we don't care!!! Our model is even happier!!!



This final image is our world famous "Flash Power Cheat Sheet for Dummies and Anyone Else Who Didn't Understand It On The Video Chart". If the correct exposure is Full flash power at f/11 then follow the chart for keeping the correct exposure while "dialing down".





Ok, NOW LEAVE A COMMENT, TELL A FRIEND OR 123 OF THEM AND GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE AND SHOOT, OR SHOOT SOMETHING IN YOUR HOUSE I DON'T CARE AS LONG AS YOU'RE SHOOTING SOMETHING!!!!!

So, three down, and two to go!!! CONGRATS!!

16 comments:

  1. JeffNovember 12, 2009 at 8:49 PM

    Lmao...." we'll explain it better" Dont worry...well i got it lmao

    ReplyDelete
  2. AndyNovember 13, 2009 at 3:12 PM

    Jeff: GREAT!!! I was a little nervous with the explanation, Flash to subject distance is next so buckle up. Get ready to see some major rambling!! No joke, it took us approximately 50 takes to film....granted we aren't video dudes.

    Should be up by tomorrow night!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WillNovember 13, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Thank you so much! These are awesome! Keep up the great work, I don't care about the "production quality" of your videos I care abut the fantastic quality of the advice you guys give!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CamlsNovember 14, 2009 at 2:26 AM

    Nice work guys, can't wait to see more from you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 17, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I'm so happy I found it! I just got a new 580exII flash and I'm having a hard time understanding it. I paid over $400 for it and I don't want it to turn into an expensive paper weight! *lol*

    ReplyDelete
  6. fotografiaNovember 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    Carole,

    Are you using off camera flash?

    Are you using triggers?

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownNovember 17, 2009 at 11:32 AM

    Hello Michael! I didn't expect such a fast response :) I have a 580exII, a tripod, a bracket and a Off Camera ETTL Cord for Canon (5 Meter).... however, I have a rather small umbrella that is only 30".

    ReplyDelete
  8. niagaragirlNovember 19, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    Well done. Recycle time is an overlooked factor much of the time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. CanonxtNovember 29, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    Thanks for the Cheat sheet, guys.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Corey GrusdenDecember 28, 2009 at 9:14 PM

    Hey Michael, I found the setting in my camera that only allows the Aperture dial to increment by full stops, i'm assuming it would be good to keep it on that setting to make it a little easier when doing flash photography as a beginner?

    ReplyDelete
  11. fotografiaDecember 29, 2009 at 2:10 AM

    Corey, I think you have a nikon. Can you share with me and the others how to dial in the settings? I honestly think dialing in the proper setting is fine in one stop increments. I'll probably get an email from someone stating how wrong I am and that I need those 1/3 stop increments. I think I want to try out this theory and go for the full stop increments!

    Michael
    lightenupandshoot

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    Guys - I am so glad I have found your corner of the www. I have been looking at sites to explain how to use my flash that have blinded me with science, but you have the gifts of brevity and levity. Super videos.
    ps I want a lightenupandshoot t shirt. Where do we buy them :-)
    Thanks from Steve in Wales, UK

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMarch 5, 2010 at 4:05 PM

    hi guys,

    loving the videos..its all finally clicking into place!

    but one thing im not quite sure on, you say at full power the flash gives F11, but at what shutter speed? or even iso? or does it not matter?

    cheers guys
    mark from the uk

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMay 7, 2010 at 9:58 PM

    You guys Rock! Love your captures and simple explanations of complex material. Shooting a wedding down in Punta Cana next week. Meet me there and I'll buy the "El Presidente" beer.
    GA from Carolina

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousOctober 26, 2010 at 3:33 PM

    I have been searching everywhere for clear, simple to understandable explanations for this stuff and you guys give it !

    Thank you



    Tom (UK)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Buy Generic ViagraJune 1, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    awesome guys I have been looking for this information too much time ago, I think it is amazing, and also
    that it is really really helpful, thank you so much for posting this, it has been really interesting, just keep posting, things like this one.

    ReplyDelete

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