Technique - Fill Flash
Derek Smith • 22 September 2020
A Couple by a River
Photo By: Derek Smith
Sunrise Beach Shoot
Photo By: Derek Smith
Technique - Fill Flash
Taking a portrait in very bright sunshine can be extremely challenging. One method of obtaining the correct exposure on the face, is to turn the subjects back to the light, and gently light the face with a "kiss" of light from a pop-up flash, or an off-camera flash. It may take several attempts to find the correct settings on the camera, or flash gun.
In the case of the couple pictured beside the river, I used the camera manufacturers "clip-on" flash, this flash does not have any external controls, but does have a “fill-flash” setting in the menu. I had to balance the exposure by stopping down to f/9, and the flash power set in the menu to +0.3, at 1/200 shutter speed, this resulted in a more focused, brighter background than I would have liked, but at least the exposure on the face is just right. I would have preferred to have taken this shot at f/4, but the tiny "clip-on" flash does not allow the use of HSS (high speed sync), and the Olympus PEN fastest shutter speed is 1/250 with flash, my previous Sony was even worse with a fastest flash shutter speed of only 1/160.
During the sunrise shoot, I had my model Rach positioned with her back to the sea, with the light from the rising sun behind her. This time I was using off-camera flash with HSS, (high speed sync) and so I was able to keep my aperture at f/2.8, with the shutter speed at 1/500. I was able to simply adjust the flash power from the hot shoe mounted flash trigger.
So, there you have it, 3 "Techniques", tools if you like for difficult lighting conditions:
Spot Metering - For those tricky indoor photographs, churches, cathedrals, and historic houses where neither tripod, nor flash can be used.
HDR (high dynamic range) - Where a tripod can be used, external building photography, and landscapes with high contrast.
Fill Flash – For portraits where the face is in shadow, under trees, or in backlit scenes.
Taking a portrait in very bright sunshine can be extremely challenging. One method of obtaining the correct exposure on the face, is to turn the subjects back to the light, and gently light the face with a "kiss" of light from a pop-up flash, or an off-camera flash. It may take several attempts to find the correct settings on the camera, or flash gun.
In the case of the couple pictured beside the river, I used the camera manufacturers "clip-on" flash, this flash does not have any external controls, but does have a “fill-flash” setting in the menu. I had to balance the exposure by stopping down to f/9, and the flash power set in the menu to +0.3, at 1/200 shutter speed, this resulted in a more focused, brighter background than I would have liked, but at least the exposure on the face is just right. I would have preferred to have taken this shot at f/4, but the tiny "clip-on" flash does not allow the use of HSS (high speed sync), and the Olympus PEN fastest shutter speed is 1/250 with flash, my previous Sony was even worse with a fastest flash shutter speed of only 1/160.
During the sunrise shoot, I had my model Rach positioned with her back to the sea, with the light from the rising sun behind her. This time I was using off-camera flash with HSS, (high speed sync) and so I was able to keep my aperture at f/2.8, with the shutter speed at 1/500. I was able to simply adjust the flash power from the hot shoe mounted flash trigger.
So, there you have it, 3 "Techniques", tools if you like for difficult lighting conditions:
Spot Metering - For those tricky indoor photographs, churches, cathedrals, and historic houses where neither tripod, nor flash can be used.
HDR (high dynamic range) - Where a tripod can be used, external building photography, and landscapes with high contrast.
Fill Flash – For portraits where the face is in shadow, under trees, or in backlit scenes.
Louth Photographic Society
Last night our members enjoyed a visit to the Swaby valley nature reserve. We crossed over two fields from South Thoresby, then followed the course of the Swaby Beck chalk stream through the valley, the public footpath was bounded by dense vegetation that hindered our progress at times. There was plenty to see around the reserve, myriad butterflies flitted around in a very lively manner, making for difficult photography, I spotted several small grasshoppers, and soldier beetles in the long grass, I tried to photograph a ladybird, but it was gone by the time I focussed on the creature. It was a very enjoyable evening, with good friendly company, and our camera skills were needed for the macro photography, these are a few of my photos from the evening.
Good Morning All Last week's outing was re-scheduled due to a clash with a certain world cup match, the good news was a victory for England, however we intend to still hold the outing on Wednesday 22 nd July. I did go to the Festival of Flight at the Shuttleworth collection, Old Warden last weekend. It was too windy for some of the old Biplanes, but we were treated to a four-and-a-half-hour display featuring many planes that I had never seen fly before. The De Havilland Comet was built to compete in the 1934 race from Britain to Australia, only three were built and it's good to see it flying, the aircraft design was quite advanced for 1934. This week, Wednesday 8th July, we have another camera club outing to the Swaby Valley, meeting at 6pm. Swaby is just off the A16 heading from Louth to Skegness. Regards Graham
Last night’s Louth Photographic Societies outing to Kirkby gravel pits nature reserve was cancelled as some members preferred to watch some sporting gentleman by the name of Harry Kane. (Congratulations to the England team) The reserve is small, and simply laid out, a public footpath leads along a tree lined avenue to the river Bain at the back of the reserve. Historic sand and gravel extraction has left a large lake in the centre of the reserve, several ducks and waterfowl inhabit the lake and there is a bird hide on the shoreline. Returning to the road, there is a path running parallel to the road bounded by a hedge, insects of various types can be found in this area, damselflies, butterflies, and hover-flies are often prolific. Our outing to Kirkby Gravel pits is now scheduled for Wednesday 22nd July. Parking is on the verge by the roadside. Kirkby Gravel pits are fairly close to where I live, and it’s reserve that I often visit, these are some photos from a visit in July last year.
Good morning, All, Last week at the club we had our monthly print competition, Trees and Open. There was a very good entry with a high standard of photography on show. Tony Gaskins was first in the Open and I managed a first in the trees, all the results are on our website and there is also a blog on the evening. This week, Wednesday 1st July, we are having an outing to Kirkby Gravel Pits, if we meet at 6.30 at the reserve, though you can arrive earlier as there are usually dragonflies etc around the entrance. If we walk straight ahead first, then anyone who arrives late can find us. I have struggled to find a map, but you can see the location on the Lincolnshire wildlife Trust website. Kirkby Grave Pits is also a good reserve for birds. Tattershall Road 1 mile south of Kirkby-on-Bain Woodhall Spa Nearest postcode LN10 6YN. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.
A print competition was held last night with the categories of "Trees" as the subject, and "Open". Our judge for the evening was Gail Wrigg from Barton who did an expert job. The first category to be judged was the "Open" with the high standard of prints making the choice of top placement difficult, and Gail held back 9 prints for further evaluation. There were some chuckles from members around one of Richard Hildred's prints of wooden electricity poles titled "In my previous life I used to be one of them" an "in" joke from Richard, which totally baffled Gail. After the break Gail judged the "Trees" category, with 7 prints held back this time for awarding of higher marks, the beautiful colours of some trees, especially the autumnal images contrasting with the stunning monochrome infrared prints from Richard Hildred. It was a great evening, with excellent prints on display, and the website Competition page has been updated with the full results.
Good Morning All Last week we visited the nature reserves at Fir Hill quarry and Muckton wood. I have written a blog report on the evening which is on our website. You can always try something a little different like I did using camera movement. This week, Wednesday 24th June, a print competition will be held, with the categories of "Trees" and "Open" and is to be judged by Gail Wrigg. The following week we have an outing to Kirkby Gravel pits. If you want advice on camera settings etc the outings are the perfect opportunity to ask other members while we all have our cameras. Regards Graham
Each year Louth Photographic Society begins a new project, one photo taken each month on a specific subject, that's 12 photos presented on "Project Night" in January. Last year the subject was "Prime Time" one photo each month taken with the same fixed focal length lens. This year the subject is water, the subject sounds easy enough, and I've completed 5 photos already, but I'm struggling a little with a photo for June. I'm currently on holiday in Corfu, an island surrounded by water which should be easy, but I'm yet to find the "definitive" photo for the project. These are my photos so far this month: Best regards Derek
Good Evening All
Summer is here at last, maybe?
Last night a few of our members had an outing to Old Bolingbroke village. Initially visiting the Lincolnshire Wildlife Reserve of Sow Dale, off Spilsby Hill at the village entrance, I was a little hesitant at first at entering the reserve because of the grazing cattle. When the cattle herd moved up the hill we climbed over the stile and entered the reserve, as we began to take some photos around the reserve though, the herd returned, but seemed quite docile. Later in the evening we moved on to Bolingbroke castle, and took several photos of the castle, fauna, and flora. It was a lovely evening, good to get out with cameras, and socialise with others.
