How to use Nikon SB800 flash?

In the misunderstanding of using lamps, we often hear the following statements and practices:

1. Flash is only used by amateurs or poor news photographers. A real photographer never uses a spotlight, not a flash.

2. The stronger the automatic function of the flash, the better, especially various advanced TTL functions.

3. The flash is always in the front lighting state, always in the x-ttl state, and always matches the P file or the A file.

4, blindly believe in TTL metering, never calculate, and do not do flash exposure compensation FEC.

5. Do not use accessories that change the light quality, including soft boxes/covers; Soap box, reflector, reflector, color filter

6. It is considered that flash lamp can only be used as auxiliary light source or lighting light source in dark environment.

7. think that the flash is only used to illuminate the main body.

8. Never use the light when shifting gears manually or when the machine is turned off.

9. Never consider the color temperature index of the flash, only consider the automatic function and power.

10, no matter what film you shoot, you always use only one flash at the same time, no more than one. Corresponding to the above error phenomenon, the flash should be in this state:

1. You should consider using the flash at any time, except for a few cases where the natural light source is perfect. This perfection includes illumination, light quality, light ratio, color temperature, color tone, modeling and so on. In fact, it is difficult to achieve complete satisfaction with natural lighting conditions. So the use of flash is actually very frequent.

2. The flash should have a certain TTL metering function, which is more convenient to use, so that our compensation calculation can start from a relative value instead of an absolute value, which is labor-saving and accurate. However, various advanced TTL functions are not necessarily required. In fact, these functions not only limit the improvement of accuracy, but also limit the turn of light, which is harmful to the meaning of words. Therefore, a lamp with stable ttl function is enough, and various TTL functions can be accurately compensated after being familiar with their performance. In principle, it is impossible to completely avoid compensation, just as it is unrealistic for a camera's metering system to completely deviate from exposure compensation. If I had a choice, I would rather have a lamp with enough power, stable color temperature and shaking my head; I don't want a lamp with advanced TTL function that I can't control anything (Canon 220EX is a typical example).

3. The flash should rarely be in the state of lighting the main body, so it is rarely in various advanced TTL states. At the same time, if TTL function exists, we can let the fuselage direct light instead of light, so in the case that most living light can be ignored, M gear is the best gear for using flash: the aperture controls the depth of field and effect, and the output of light will automatically follow the aperture, so don't worry; Shutter controls the proportion of ambient light to achieve reasonable coordination. Therefore, M Dang has truly realized the full play of the automatic functions of the fuselage and flash. In the flash photography state, the P file is equivalent to completely giving up the control of the fuselage and the flash, and the A file gives up the control of the ambient light ratio.

4. Blindly believing in various TTL functions and exposure measurement of the flash is as likely to lead to exposure failure as blindly believing in the evaluation photometry results of the camera during general shooting or the average photometry results of the central focus. At the same time, we always correct the camera metering results according to the requirements of the creative theme, so there is rarely a completely good exposure compensation. Similarly, it is hard to imagine doing flash photography without flash compensation. In fact, it takes a lot of calculation and experience to achieve different textures and levels, to achieve different light ratios and tones, and to cooperate with ambient light. This calculation is not the calculation between flash index, ISO and distance aperture, just as it is not the calculation of sunshine 16 principle, but the calculation of compensation relative value, similar to the calculation of 11-zone exposure method. The metaphor is clear at a glance. So what's the difference between using a lamp without flash compensation and using a stupid machine to give control to the machine completely? It is unrealistic that the metering system of the camera is completely separated from the exposure compensation. If I had a choice, I would rather have a lamp with enough power, stable color temperature and shaking my head; I don't want a lamp with advanced TTL function that I can't control anything (Canon 220EX is a typical example).

5. With regard to the use of light, in addition to correct exposure, there is also a very important trick, that is, light quality and color. Different themes need different light to express different creative purposes. Because of the small luminous area, the flash can easily achieve tough light. But we don't always need strong light. At this time, accessories that can change the quality of light are very important. Maybe we need soft light, strong directional light and so on. Therefore, things like jumping lights, anti-beating, reflector, soft box, honeycomb, condenser, reflective card and soft cover are essential items, which are used almost as soon as the lights are used. On the other hand, the color temperature we need is not necessarily 5500K, and the hue we need is not necessarily pure white. Therefore, the color filter used in the flash is also an essential accessory, often with an emotional light source, which will bring strong emotional rendering to the expression of our theme. Therefore, the use of lamps without these accessories is far from the most flexible and interesting function of flash photography.

6. The flash can be used as a main light source, an auxiliary light source, a means to generate visual light, a means to supplement colors, a means to only illuminate the background, or a means to supplement colors for the background. With such rich functions, the flash can be used with various colors, so there is no need to limit the scope of use of the flash. Creative use of light is the fundamental principle of using the flash well. Of course, if there is no special purpose, the highest state of using lights is that you can't see that you have used them, similar to girls' makeup. Because our purpose is to better express the theme and the author's subjective feelings, rather than running out for use.

7. think that the flash is only used to illuminate the main body.

8. According to the principle of 6~7, then the lights should be used off the machine more than on the top of the machine, and the manual gear should be used more than the automatic gear. After gaining more experience, you can gain great creative freedom by using manual gear shifting and off-board flash. How to use it depends on the scene and the purpose of creation. But what is certain is that in one direction at the top of the plane, only the automatic gear is effective, and it must be self-restrained.

9. Based on all the above analysis, in fact, a light is not enough for serious flash photography. Because of the abundant sources of ambient light, a flashlight is usually needed to cooperate with the work to create a natural expression. At the same time, there are many modeling requirements, such as modeling, contour, main light and auxiliary light background light. Therefore, it is often not enough to use good lights. However, don't think that it is difficult for multiple lamps to work together and expensive equipment is needed. In fact, very cheap equipment can also do it.