So I typically focus on natural light portrait photography (families mostly) and although I have done some indoor sessions with babies using window light I have not done much indoors in places that I am unfamiliar with yet.
I am doing website photographs for some lawyers this week and I know they want both indoor and outdoor shots.
I have a canon rebel t2i, a 50mm 1.4, and a 24-70. I also have a 580 ex ii flash that I purchased recently.
I am very comfortable with everything except have not had much time with the flash.
Long question short...
Any quick tips on using the 580 ex ii flash for lighting indoors when there is not much natural light available? Or even if there is?
Thanks for any tips!
(side note...I know how to use the flash on auto of course. I guess my question is more about aiming or bouncing the light...when and how)
I always bounce indoors, but you've got to watch for colour castes (if you bounce off a colour, the light will turn that colour). Most ceilings are white, so it is usually effective. If it's a high ceiling and I'm using TTL, I'll go to +1 EV. If it's a normal one and/or my subject is close, I'll go down to -2/3 or -1 EV. If there is almost enough light without it, I'll bounce it backwards, or if there is nothing behind me, I'll point it backwards and let the spill fill in the shadows (even outdoors).
On a side note, I almost never use the built-in diffuser. I think results are better without it in almost every situation. I do use the pull-out card though, for catchlights.
@icywarm Thanks...I do hope to get what I need to use it off camera in the very near future and then start branching out into learning more about artificial lighting.
@jinximages Thank you so much for the detailed tips! I have been playing around and just seeing what happens, but the info you gave is very helpful. I have a diffuser ordered, but won't have it by Wed, so will just have to go without this time!
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edit: off the camera does not mean "don't use it" means use it off camera....
On a side note, I almost never use the built-in diffuser. I think results are better without it in almost every situation. I do use the pull-out card though, for catchlights.
@jinximages Thank you so much for the detailed tips! I have been playing around and just seeing what happens, but the info you gave is very helpful. I have a diffuser ordered, but won't have it by Wed, so will just have to go without this time!
Just saw your tutorials album too...can't wait to browse through! Very cool! Thanks for sharing!