[net.rec.photo] multiple flash

mike@asgb.UUCP (12/20/84)

> The question was asked about exposure for multiple flash. One unit 
> GN 66 along the lens axis, the other unit at 45 degrees off axis GN 
> 120 

You can easily figure out the correct exposure by thinking in
terms not of guide number, but of units of light output.

If your small flash (gn 66) puts out, say, 1 unit of light.  The big one
(gn 120) puts out 4 units.  (Remember doubling the GN quadruples the
light output.)  So your highlights will have 5 units of light on them,
and your deepest shadows have 1 unit.  This assumes that the room has
no significant reflections, which isn't true, and will smooth out the
lighting ratio slightly.

As a starting point for exposure, I'd compute the base exposure from
the main light at a guide number of 120, and then stop down only about
1/3 to 1/2 stop.

As to the umbrella, I think that a simple GN change would be adequate,
if not exactly correct.  It's more difficult to guestimate how much of
a change it requires.  I would direct some kind of continuous light
into the umbrella, much like the flash would be aimed.  A photo flood
would probably be best, but I'm sure there are reasonable substitutes.
The same color temp as the flash is preferable, but not likely.

Use an incident meter to compare light output reflected off the
umbrella compared with direct light.  That gives the number of f/stops
correction.  Without an incident meter, take a reflected reading off
an 18% grey card, or even your hand.

With the umbrella, the small flash directly at the subject would
likely deliver more light.  You'll want to either diffuse, or get rid
of the smaller flash.


Mike Rosenlof                  ...hplabs!sdcrdcf!\
                                                  -bmcg!asgb!mike
                              ...allegra!sdcsvax!/
Burroughs Advanced Systems Group              Boulder, Colorado