Low key

MalkyG

4

21 Mar 2013 - 1:49 PM

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Can anyone help me? I am keen to try some low key shots,I have a canon 7d,and a canon 420ex spedlight,how do I get the flash sync speed to the correct setting for this type of shots,Thank you for taken time to read this.

timbo

10

21 Mar 2013 - 2:58 PM

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Agree with the above, even making a snoot out of card will direct the light. I shoot low key on a white background often, as long as it's well directed the background will fall into darkness.

puertouk

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21 Mar 2013 - 5:02 PM

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Try Sekonic site This might be of some help.

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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25 Mar 2013 - 9:34 AM

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Low key, you want to light the subject but very little else;
Sync speed is a max of 1/250 on the 7d, and as you want no ambient light lighting the scene these faster shutter speeds keep that light low.
Next step (unless you go with off camera flash), you don't want the light from the flash to light the background behind the subject - so swivel the flash head 90 degrees to a side, then use a mirror/reflector held of to the side to bounce light back in to light the subject.

Now you can try this on full auto and let the flash eTTL try and guess the exposure on the subject. but you may get varied results. If so go full manual. Flash on full power. Camera on ISO 100, Aperture - start with f7.1 and adjust up/down to suit.

I'm assuming you are shooting with your right hand, holding a small mirror in you left hand at almost full stretch and the subject is about 1.5 metres in front of you and not standing directly against a white wall.