[week 6]
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Using The Flash Camera Used: Canon PowerShot S30
There's more in that manual. I just wanted to copy some of the basics to force myself to look at them. I really don't have a clue how to best use the flash in a given situation and thought maybe a bit of reference with my experiments might help me along. Ron says: ;^) The guide number (GN) is used in a simple mathematical formula to calculate aperture. The formula is GN divided by the distance in feet = the f stop. It is simply the product of a distance and an f-stop that gives correct exposure with a certain film speed and flash unit. Divide the flash-to-subject distance into the guide number to get your aperture. To determine your flash guide number, take the maximum flash distance in feet for the camera and the maximum aperture for the lens (smallest f stop) and multiply the two. I am going to try and see if I can figure this with the info above. My smallest f-stop: 2.8 Flash guide numbers: So in looking at these numbers [assuming I have done them correctly] if the flash was 10 feet from the subject, and I was using normal mode @ ISO 100, I would divide 44.80 by 10 for a proper aperture o of 4.48. Correct??? At ISO 200, I would multiply the GN by 1.4. These numbers assume maximum aperture, closing down the aperture will of course decrease the distance. Close down one stop and you divide the distance by 1.4. Ronnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!! This is way too much math for the small pea I call a brain. As the cat would say, "Harumph!" I think I'll just start twisting dials and flashing flashes and see what happens. I usually learn more by glancing at the instructions, then getting my hands on something then, after the fact, really reading and trying to understand why everything turned out such a mess. After that, it sometimes starts to sink in. /* farron makes note that tape measure and calculator must be carried when she wants to use flash...eeekkk & haha*/ I really did have great plans for this week. Wasn't there a part where we were supposed to do a grand finale picture or two? Welllllll, *busy-ness* got in the way. The fun kind actually as we are leaving for a week at the beach at the crack of dawn [and Ron, I will have to face the subject of my extra credit in vector toons in person down there....oh no, haha, I am dead meat!] I will return in a week with a slew of pictures. If anyone is still lurking I may post a link. *THAT* will be my finale. :^) Still don't seem to have a handle on what fill flash is or does. Mostly I fiddled and made lots of globs to compare. Looks like the little silver box still has an edge on me so far in knowing what to do with the flash. Here are a few of my experiments. Same subject at different times of day/evening. Some of these use flash and some don't. Just experimenting with lighting. For the sake of this experiment, no graphic enhancements other than a slight unsharp mask to compensate for the resize and compression were used. All images resized and compressed by 30% for webviewing. Click thumbnails for larger views and settings info. Appx. 3:30 pm
Just before 6 PM Odd that the last two show identical settings?? I double checked!
If you are still around after Cinco de Mayo, I will be back and have BEACH pictures...will post a link to the board. Thanks for a great class, Ron! I plan to practice, practice, practice to be ready when part two surfaces! _^..^_
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