Canon 550EX and weddings

[michael_patrick]

My first wedding last year was a cakewalk, being that the venue was outdoors. The last 3 have been typical church weddings and therefore more of a challenge. I shoot with a 1D and a 10D and have several 550EX units. I have a nice variety of fast Canon glass, ( 24-70/2.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8 & 135/2.0). The trouble is that my 550EX's seem to produce very inconsistent lighting results, with or without having a Stoffen Onmibounce attached. I struggle no matter what camera I use. I'm always able to adjust my keepers enough to end up with acceptable results, but it would really make me happy to start out with better shots right out of the camera. I always set up at least one strobe for the group shots, but it's during the wedding that I have my problems. Can anyone suggest a better system, or setup?

[MarvinGentry]

I have been shooting with the Canon 1D the 550 for about a year. Try this though you might have to make some changes according to your specific lighting situation. Get rid of the stofen, I have used them and its very hard to get a consistant lighting with it, plus also you probalby trying ot spread your light to thin withthe stofen. Used a bracket or on put the flash on the camera, go plus 1 on the flash to get consitant results , you may even have to go more than that when shooting the bride as the white dress will cut down the flash and cause all the photos to be under exposed. I suggest getting an expo-disc as the lighting will be more conssitant when using this product as you will need ot take a white balance of each room of lights you shoot in .
I also outside when using a flash use shutter priority and aperture priority , depends on the lighing outside. You will also need to adjsut your flash accordingly to knock the shadows off , I have in some situations went - 1 up too +2 on really harsh shadows really depends on the sun .I like shooting the camera aperture priority at F4 and let the camera set the shutter speed and that makes a great portrait out side, plus it gets your background really out of focus.
Though these are things I have tried, digital is a whole new ball game and everyone must try things for thereself. I shoot and work on problems I have all the time. I have gone to churches in advance to work on lighting situations. I have even had to set lights up to get a more even and better product where with film I could have used a flash on a bracket and got away with it.
Digital is great but there is a very high learning curve and it is not for everyone , you must be more concerned with your exposure and that is what is gonna separate the photogrpahers of the future. I have shot photojournalism style with a photographer just recently , I had never seen them work before but they just stuck a flash on the camera and started shooting away not once did htey use a meter inside or outside, of course they we shooting film. I would never do that with digital.
Good luck and more questions jsut email me at Bamaphoto@charter.net

[BobCooper]

Mike,

Hi. Some people swear at the 550EX and some people swear by it. I fall in the latter camp. It all depends on how well you know and understand the Canon system. If you notice, the 550 gives you three modes; E-TTL, Manual, and Multi. You need to fit the mode to your situation.

When I'm doing a fashion show I use the camera and flash both on Manual. This mode assumes four things; a constant distance, a constant aperture, a constant ISO and a constant shutter speed. I station myself where I think I will get the best perspective and fire a few test shots. Then I use the histogram to set the flash output and the shutter and aperture to get correct exposure.

For a wedding or portrait work I set the camera on Av and E-TTL, and use the FEL button to set the flash. If you let the camera meter the scene it will assume everything is 18% grey and if the bride is wearing white the flash will underexpose and if the groom is wearing black it will overexpose. I tell my subjects that I will be taking three pictures. The first is the FEL. I zoom in on the subjects face and take a meter reading using FEL. I do this for two reasons. One, I want the face to be properly exposed and two; most faces give me a good de facto grey card for the rest of the scene. Then I zoom out, compose and fire two shots. You can do one or more depending on how many you need to ensure everyone’s eyes are open.

Hope this helps, and good luck,

Bob

[Jonathan_Wienke]

[ QUOTE ]
The trouble is that my 550EX's seem to produce very inconsistent lighting results, with or without having a Stoffen Onmibounce attached. I struggle no matter what camera I use. I'm always able to adjust my keepers enough to end up with acceptable results, but it would really make me happy to start out with better shots right out of the camera.

[/ QUOTE ]
See http://visual-vacations.com/Photogra...ettl_flash.htm. Following the tips there will greatly ingrease the consistency of E-TTL flash exposures.