I'm really sorry if my questions are sounding stupid. I feel like the "switch" is about to come on for me in regards to OCF, but I just have a few little things I'm trying to understand.
I just need to know what any of you would do in this scenario - or what I am missing. Say I'm shooting a wedding - I go to the alter and meter for ambient light. It's a dark church, and a very large wedding party. The highest ISO I want to use, is 2000 due to noise. (I know my camera (5D MKII) can go higher and not have a noise issue). This is just for an example. Due to the large wedding party, I need to shoot at F11. So if ambient meters at ISO 2000, F/11 at 1/30th for a shutter speed - obviously, I need to change something. This is where I get confused. I haven't added my flash yet - so do I have to adjust my settings, and then add flash? Or do I add flash and adjust the flash to get to the point where I can use the ISO and Fstop I want?
I think the easy way to ask my question, is when I am metering ambient light, what if there is not enough light to shoot in without a flash? Do I just start at ISO 2000, F/11, and add in flash until I get the SS where I need it to be? This doesn't sound very technical to me, it sounds more like I am guessing, or just winging it. I'm still not sure I've worded it correctly. I will know by your answers if I did or not.
Thanks for any help, and again, sorry if this is a stupid or confusing question.
Comments
You wouldn't want to do group photos at 2000 ISO
and especially not when you're shooting f/11 (which would imply you have light to spare)
Start here:
http://neilvn.com/tangents/camera-and-flash-settings-what-do-you-want-to-achieve/
I know I figure out ambient exposure before I do anything - if I can't get enough light to get the exposure I need (without adding flash), what is my next step?
You really need to figure out the ISO and f stop first in manual flash and use the shutter to let in or shut out the ambient light. Set the flash power and do not touch f stop or ISO unless you are OK with counting clicks. Went from f4 to 5.6 after having your flash set? Now you need to increase ISO by three clicks or your manual flash setting is no longer the same.
"...if I can't get enough light to get the exposure I need (without adding flash), what is my next step?"
Your next step is to add flash. You do need to make sure that you have a decent shutter speed so either open up a little or increase ISO.
And I am certain Neil is referring to groups since I know he uses bounce at higher ISO's than 2000.
Rudy