Overexposing with my SB-800

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Submitted By: heaterguy

Location: CYPRESS, TX

Joined: Jul 29 2006

Posts:

Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 22, 2006 - 5:34am

Recently I returned from a company sponsored outing in California. During one of the company evening events I utilized my D-70 with SB-800 flash to take some photographs of my counterparts.
One of the shots I took came out extremely overexposed. This has happened to me before and it puzzles me as to what I am doing wrong.
My camera was set on "P" and I was standing about 8 feet from the couple I photographed. The flash was set to TTL Balance and I had the white diffuser over the flash head.
My focus point was between the couples heads more on the ear of the lady.

Is there enough information to tell me why this photo was overexposed? At least 2 stops worth.

Submitted By: ronk II

Joined: Oct 2 2006

Posts:

Re: Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 22, 2006 - 6:16am

Was there a dark background?

Submitted By: Larry Berman

Location: Pittsburgh

Joined: Mar 7 2005

Posts:

Re: Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 22, 2006 - 6:20am

What about your back up exposure? I always shoot two or three of each important posed pictures. Looking at the LCD would have immediately told you that the frame was over exposed and you could have shot an additional frame to correct the problem. This may not have answered your question, but it would have resolved the problem.

Submitted By: heaterguy

Location: CYPRESS, TX

Joined: Jul 29 2006

Posts:

Re: Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 24, 2006 - 6:10am

Yes, the area was outside on a large resort patio. The lighting was very subdued.

Submitted By: heaterguy

Location: CYPRESS, TX

Joined: Jul 29 2006

Posts:

Re: Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 24, 2006 - 6:13am

This was more of a candid shot. I turned, saw them standing together, framed the shot and took it.
Normally, I use the multi-exposure setting and shoot one over, one on, and one under.

Submitted By: DaveBelew

Joined: Mar 16 2005

Posts:

Re: Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 24, 2006 - 3:39pm

Hi,
If you were taking a picture of two or more persons, what can happen is that the camera's exposure can be fooled if it is taking into account only the area between the subjects--in your case a subdued background.

Submitted By: heaterguy

Location: CYPRESS, TX

Joined: Jul 29 2006

Posts:

Re: Overexposing with my SB-800

Posted: November 25, 2006 - 5:34am

I was about eight feet away and they were standing shoulder to shoulder. I would understand this if they were wider apart and the background overtook the subjects. I think I just have to experiment with this more and make sure the camera is set to multiple exposure with about a stop over/under.