Lighting / Learn by doing
Flash Exposure Compensation explained simply
What is โFlash Exposure Compensationโ?
An adjustment that tells automatic flash control to use more or less flash than its normal estimate.
- 01Less flash
- 02Normal flash
- 03More flash
How do you use Flash Exposure Compensation practically?
A small exercise
Keep ambient exposure similar and compare TTL flash compensation at -1, 0 and +1. Check the subject and background separately.
- Make a starting version and keep it so you can compare fairly.
- Try the change in the exercise. Keep unrelated choices steady where the exercise allows.
- Compare the result at the size your viewer will actually see. Write down what changed and whether it helped.
How does Flash Exposure Compensation solve a problem?
It helps brighten or reduce flash on a face without directly changing all the ambient exposure settings.
What can go wrong?
It usually affects automatic flash output, not a manually fixed flash power setting.
How do you turn the idea into a useful solution?
Start with the specific problem in your image or brief, try the exercise, and keep the version that meets that need. If the result is worse, return to the starting version and change one choice at a time.
Quick check: can you explain the three ideas in the diagram?
Less flash โ Normal flash โ More flash. Explain how each relates to the exercise. Then compare the starting version with your result and choose the one that meets your brief.
Related video lesson
Flash timing โ Adorama
This related lesson gives wider context for the topic. Camera menus and software versions may differ from yours.
Loading the player connects to YouTube. You can also watch the lesson on YouTube.Keep exploring
Try the idea in a studio shoot
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