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Question using ETTL with rim light

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Dave Jaseck

Dave Jaseck

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Being new to ETTL flash am not quite sure what the best method or workflow to setup a shot with sun as a rim or backlight light. Would shooting a base exposure for the rim light without flash, then making second shot with ETTL flash "on" be the accepted method or are there other ways to get predictable results. I did this shot of my daughter as a test shot using what I describe above. Seemed to work for me, but thought I would ask the question before I convince myself this is how to do it. Appreciate your comments.



72acf014d800491586c08ba32950f9f9.jpg



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TBT..thought's become things, chose them wisely!
Be careful how you interpret the world: It is like that.
 
Not sure why you'd need to actually shoot the two exposures, but yeah, if you expose for the highlight then let the flash fill in to get the exposure of the subject correct, that works, ETTL or no ETTL, same method. ETTL just lets the flash guess the flash power for you to achieve the result.
 
Dave Jaseck said:
Being new to ETTL flash am not quite sure what the best method or workflow to setup a shot with sun as a rim or backlight light. Would shooting a base exposure for the rim light without flash, then making second shot with ETTL flash "on" be the accepted method or are there other ways to get predictable results. I did this shot of my daughter as a test shot using what I describe above. Seemed to work for me, but thought I would ask the question before I convince myself this is how to do it. Appreciate your comments.
Click to expand...
 
Dave Jaseck said:
Being new to ETTL flash am not quite sure what the best method or workflow to setup a shot with sun as a rim or backlight light. Would shooting a base exposure for the rim light without flash, then making second shot with ETTL flash "on" be the accepted method or are there other ways to get predictable results. I did this shot of my daughter as a test shot using what I describe above. Seemed to work for me, but thought I would ask the question before I convince myself this is how to do it. Appreciate your comments.

72acf014d800491586c08ba32950f9f9.jpg

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www.pbase.com/davidjaseck
TBT..thought's become things, chose them wisely!
Be careful how you interpret the world: It is like that.
Click to expand...
The best is to not use TTL in such a situation. So unpredictable! Manual exposure and manual flash. I pinky promise that it's not that hard. Please get the flash off camera if you can. And you CAN. Just hold it in your other hand if you need to.

Best practice in this situation will NEVER be to create two exposures. This is such a common and basic shot that will be simple to you when you make the jump to setting your flash power manually. I encourage you not to over complicate this. :)

Dennis
 
Camera was on manual and flash TTL. It would appear though that flash in manual will require a few exposures to get the right balance of fill, but would guarantee consistent exposures. Yes I can take flash off camera, have all kinds of flash modifiers but just wanted to nail this most basic of shooting situations.
 
Here's a good way to take that picture, with a Canon camera (rules are a little different with Nikon)

P for program.

Flash on E-TTL

Flash set to minus one flash exposure compensation.

Shoot your photo.

BAK
 
I'd second to use P and flash -1. Large aperture in bright light might result in a too high shutter speed for your flash, so you have to watch out a bit.

If you search for fill flash portrait on google you will find more tutorials than you most likely care for as well.

btw.: Congrats, very pretty subject!
 
amd said:
I'd second to use P and flash -1. Large aperture in bright light might result in a too high shutter speed for your flash, so you have to watch out a bit.

If you search for fill flash portrait on google you will find more tutorials than you most likely care for as well.

btw.: Congrats, very pretty subject!
Click to expand...
One very basic thing you forgot guys is to set the flash to HSS.
 
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