[klchan23]

I have been learning photography for 5 yers. I mainly do landscape, therefore, I keep myself away from flash in order to save $ for lens. But at the end, I finally bought a flash because I needed to take some X'mas lighting photo with my gf. I am too busy to read. I only have basic knowledge of flash. Can any C hing give me quick tour? And which bounce card is good?

Thank you very much.

[h0001244]

My quick tour is simple
I assume that you are not asking me the direct flash technique.

- Just learn how to control the flash exposure
- You can take photos with flash pointing to whatever surface you want to for bounce flash.
- Adjust the flash exposure +/- and iso to make the photo looks more attractive
- Try more at home and you will know

[reflexboy]

What h0001244 said!
But I wanna add a bit more. That's the bounce angle! You have to adjust the bounce angle according to the object distance. The more closer to u, the bigger angle u need! (Flash head pointing right up or even pointing backward.)
As for the bounce card. I would say even a business card can do the job pretty well!

[klchan23]

When using bounce flash, will the FE lock usefull?
From what I understand, I need to adjust flash exposure manully when using bounce flash. Am I correct?

[h0001244]

ETTL would do the calculation automatically even it is bounced....
I seldom use the FE lock unless the background is purely white or blach that foul my camera.

my experience
In order to enjoy taking photos more, use RAW and +1EV flash exposure
Tune in computer afterward, normally less than 1EV + or - to obtain optimal effect.
Don't be hesitate to point the flash to strange places like the corner of the wall at the back, the wooden colour door, A3 paper held by hand, the mirror on the wall, the crstyal light on the roof.....etc whatever you can think of.
Practice makes perfect.

[nofeel]

據我所知, 不論直射或bounce card, M mode + TTL + 點測光 + 單點對焦目標人物後, 要用AE lock, 然後再構圖, 才能確保目標人物有正常補光, 再相應調+/-EV. 因為TTL 係自動測目標距離. 另推高iso 使背景光亮(背景為燈篩時可以試推高至iso400-800)

[h0001244]

As i know, ETTL II has distance parameters considered into the metering IF it is direct flash. If it comes to bounce flash, it just do the ETTL I with 1/32 power pre-flash to meausure the real output.

The evaluative metering of flash can work with the AF points, so if the face is on the AF points, it should be okay. Otherwise FEL (Flash exposure lock) can help catching better exposure especially the object is out of the centre.

[klchan23]

h0001244

I didn't notice there is a pre-flash when using bounce flash.
Will FEL work when using bounce flash?

[h0001244]

Pre-flash is the key to success for the overall flash metering especially when it comes to bounce flash. Even the light bounce from a 5m ceiling or boucne to wall A and then wall B, the pre-flash can serve as a simulation effect.

FEL also works for bounce flash.

Enjoy by practicing more at home, try fix the camera angle on one person and flash pointing to different wall, ceiling, door, back wall, floor, etc
You will gain lots of experience by doing so.

[klchan23]

Thank you very much.

[Obi-Wan]

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/