To share some in-flight exposure and flash technique

Jeff · 4th April 2006

This is the second article I promised to deliver but which took me quite a while to compile. A recent outing has, incidentally completed the missing pics. Content herein are purely for reference only. I believe knowledge should be shared irregardless of whether one is a newbie or seasoned nature photographer. If it's only knowledge for yourself or your club, then I think it's time to contribute.

An excerpt from (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

" Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work."

Program metering in cam (Av, Tv) though very convenient to use may sometimes be fooled into over/under-exposure when framed against dark/white BG. To obtain a more consistent exposure, say on an overcast day, one may elect to dial in the aperture and shutter speed (manual mode) spot-metered against the subject/sky. In this way, more emphasis will be placed on composition and getting the air-borne subject in focus (1). The trick to tracking inflight subjects is to track them when they are from a distance until they come into frame. The moment your subject took the exit, stop the trigger. I would recommend to activate all the sensors and set to continuous focus, placing central AF sensor slightly in front of the subject while tracking. If you have a bright lens, open up the aperture to arrest motion blur, though sometimes it is still possible to freeze a motion on a bright day using a small aperture. Typical shutter speed is >1/500s.

A bonus to inflight shots is to get the sparkle in the subject's eyes. A dedicated external flash is good enough. For focal length of 300mm or more with a frame filling subject (30cm or bigger), I generally set the flash to manual output (high sync mode) in fraction from 1/2 to 1/4 (gd for max 3 bursts). The only caution here is not to overstress the flashgun in a continuous trigger mode else u will find a dead beamer. (Exact specifications can be found in the manual that comes with your flash gun.) I have included a sample of fill flash in (2). Notice the catch light is not very obvious but only visible at 100% magnification due to the tiny subject to frame ratio here. Just remember to balance the ambient lighting with the flash gun.

Of course the best would be good lighting when flash is quite redundant like in (3)

Settings for

(1) n (2), 300mm, f2.8, 1/640, 1/500s, ISO 320

(3) 600mm, F8.0, 1/(x)s, ISO 200.

My personal preference is still natural lighting though. Notice how the available light is reflected off it's eyes in this static portrait (Cropped)?

Hope this helps. More information can be found in book by Arthur Morris.

Exclusively for this forum only.

Jeff

Koelsch · 4th April 2006

thanks for sharing. i didn't know that flash could affect shots so far away as well lol =)

wkcheah76 · 4th April 2006

Hi Jeff!! Always admired your flash techniques! I have also been emulating your knowledge. Thanks for sharing your gifts!

zcf · 4th April 2006

thanks for sharing these good techinques.

Firyx · 4th April 2006

thanks for sharing.. I learnt something new.. (:

4th April 2006	#1
Jeff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,513	To share some in-flight exposure and flash technique This is the second article I promised to deliver but which took me quite a while to compile. A recent outing has, incidentally completed the missing pics. Content herein are purely for reference only. I believe knowledge should be shared irregardless of whether one is a newbie or seasoned nature photographer. If it's only knowledge for yourself or your club, then I think it's time to contribute. An excerpt from (Ecclesiastes 4:9) " Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work." Program metering in cam (Av, Tv) though very convenient to use may sometimes be fooled into over/under-exposure when framed against dark/white BG. To obtain a more consistent exposure, say on an overcast day, one may elect to dial in the aperture and shutter speed (manual mode) spot-metered against the subject/sky. In this way, more emphasis will be placed on composition and getting the air-borne subject in focus (1). The trick to tracking inflight subjects is to track them when they are from a distance until they come into frame. The moment your subject took the exit, stop the trigger. I would recommend to activate all the sensors and set to continuous focus, placing central AF sensor slightly in front of the subject while tracking. If you have a bright lens, open up the aperture to arrest motion blur, though sometimes it is still possible to freeze a motion on a bright day using a small aperture. Typical shutter speed is >1/500s. A bonus to inflight shots is to get the sparkle in the subject's eyes. A dedicated external flash is good enough. For focal length of 300mm or more with a frame filling subject (30cm or bigger), I generally set the flash to manual output (high sync mode) in fraction from 1/2 to 1/4 (gd for max 3 bursts). The only caution here is not to overstress the flashgun in a continuous trigger mode else u will find a dead beamer. (Exact specifications can be found in the manual that comes with your flash gun.) I have included a sample of fill flash in (2). Notice the catch light is not very obvious but only visible at 100% magnification due to the tiny subject to frame ratio here. Just remember to balance the ambient lighting with the flash gun. Of course the best would be good lighting when flash is quite redundant like in (3) Settings for (1) n (2), 300mm, f2.8, 1/640, 1/500s, ISO 320 (3) 600mm, F8.0, 1/(x)s, ISO 200. My personal preference is still natural lighting though. Notice how the available light is reflected off it's eyes in this static portrait (Cropped)? Hope this helps. More information can be found in book by Arthur Morris. Exclusively for this forum only. Jeff Last edited by Jeff; 4th April 2006 at 01:17 PM.

4th April 2006	#2
Koelsch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Land of the Teddy Bear Posts: 1,464	Re: To share some in-flight exposure and flash technique thanks for sharing. i didn't know that flash could affect shots so far away as well lol =) __________________ I Love You :)

4th April 2006	#3
wkcheah76 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tanah Merah, Singapore Posts: 2,467	Re: To share some in-flight exposure and flash technique Hi Jeff!! Always admired your flash techniques! I have also been emulating your knowledge. Thanks for sharing your gifts! __________________ "A closet Nykon lover"

4th April 2006	#4
zcf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 270 degree of Singapore Posts: 6,689	Re: To share some in-flight exposure and flash technique thanks for sharing these good techinques. __________________ Sony Alpha 700 hobbyist

4th April 2006	#5
Firyx Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pasir Panjang Posts: 55	Re: To share some in-flight exposure and flash technique thanks for sharing.. I learnt something new.. (: