How to Use The Exposure Diamond to Balance Flash and Ambient Light | Mark Wallace

[@gregorybown]

This was the most clear and comprehensive explanation of off camera flash and balancing ambient light I've seen in years. Great job!

[@AudaryaisticPhotography]

Such a technical matter explained simply by demonstrating the examples. I always enjoy watching and learning from Mark’s videos as they are never boring.

[@robertmulligan2851]

Or as David Hobby teaches it: "Expose for the ambient and add flash to taste".

[@tylercostin3787]

Do you have a video link? I searched but came up empty. Thanks

[@rhenceocampo3253]

This is one of those videos that deserve a bookmark

[@anujasharma9677]

So true. Best explanation

[@thomasklee7517]

I’ve listened to and read many explanations of this over the years and this is the simplest and best I’ve come across. The graphic overlays were perfect for visualizing what the key variables are for flash and ambient. Thanks, Mark!

[@TimLaborde]

I agree. Mark did an excellent job!!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Very clear and easy to understand, Mark. Hope you're doing well and staying safe!

[@Orgh-jl6xn]

I've watched so many flash exposure videos from other big names and all that and was still confused, it seemed so complex but this is great it made me understand a whole bunch it's so simple with Mark's explaination. Now to actually do trial and error. I only have on camera flash at the moment. But it seems much simpler using off camera flash since it's much more controlled (ie the distance you are to subjects are consistent every time) so handheld in like event photography seems a little trickier!

[@ba553y]

My goodness Mark, this is absolutely brilliant! I just get it! Now I have 2 best videos from you. The demystified studio lighting video and this one. I'm going to try getting used to this diamond with HSS! Thanks for this.

[@gwhech]

When you are using hss this diamond doesn’t work

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

@@gwhech Correct. HSS changes things. Check out the links in the description of this video to understand more about that.

[@okyaratilla5194]

@@gwhech Actually (generally) if shutter speed higher then flash duration this is not applicable. Accordingly as you say, if we are outsdide and we want to use HSS mode and high flash power we should have a problem.

[@piston_77]

one thing i dont understand is, the shutter speed controls ambient light, but the subject is also affected by that ambient light, so the shutter speed does affect how the flash contributes to the exposure. tested myself.

[@deanadvento]

One of the best explanation I've seen in my years of understanding photography thanks Mark for this.

[@stephenwoodburn2970]

Great explanation, Mark. That was the easiest to follow, thorough walk through of the exposure diamond I have seen. Hope you are well.

[@guerrerosdigitales]

my flash does not change in 25%, 50%, 75% power, is there another way to explain this that does not require for me to change in those power levels?

[@jpdj2715]

Adjusting flash power with its brightness or intensity control on the strobe is one thing - distance could be used alternatively. Maybe a couple hundred Mark Wallace videos ago this has been dealt with, but it would be good to relate the inverse square law to "flash" in this diamond as well, and in that way illustrate how that effect can be used to control illumination in one picture.

[@SimbaCortez1320]

What if the light meter is to expensive right now :/ Do I just raise the speed light until I’m happy with the flash exposure

[@jdmorris9165]

I minored in photography at a major US University and in Studio class this was never explained. Unbelievable! TY!!!

[@josegeraldoresendeboaventu2274]

great video... very goood... thanks Mark

[@DavidVelezPhotography]

Thanks, Mark! I've always adjusted for ambient first and then worried about the rest. Never thinking about adjusting the ambient, after the fact.

[@DiviPhotos]

Cool video

[@Ozhtube]

When shooting with flash: If you shoot at f/8 or f/10, would you keep the ISO at 100 and lower the shutter speed? I think that will cause motion blur if the subject moves a little, so would you increase the ISO instead? How would you set your shutter speed in this case? Will that depend on the “high-speed sync” shutter speed of the flash? For example, if HSS syncs at shutter speeds from 1/400 to 1/8,000 seconds, can I go higher than 1/400, like 1/10?

[@candicecorbin4690]

Omgosh I finally understand after years of just hiitting buttons dragging strobes out to shoots omggg ty

[@kavanlake871]

I had forgotten about the exposure diamond. Thanks for the reminder Mark. 👍🏼

[@Mr_D555]

I have been watching ambient light and flash videos most of the day and this video is by far the best, All I need now is that $600 light meter. Ha

[@abelb8612]

At 02:46, metering for the natural (ambient) light, you forgot to tell the viewers to set the camera on MANUAL MODE, and meter for the BACKGROUND, not on the model.

[@mauriziofranzini8418]

Can the SK400II Studio Strobe from Godox flash be remotely controlled by varying the flash output with the Tx Flashpoint R2 Single Pin Transceiver?

[@manoharmgr8235]

வீடியோ மிகவும் பயனுள்ளதாக இருந்தது மிக்க நன்றி இரா.மனோகர் சென்னை . Very useful This video sir, , big thank you sir R.MANOHAR ,Chennai.India

[@thothheartmaat2833]

How does that work? Why doesn't shutter speed affect flash too? Isn't it just a light? Wouldn't it get brighter with slower shutter speed? I've seen examples like this before but it's never worked like that for me. Is it in ttl?

[@sharvo6]

So if I don't have a $700 speedlight light meter, it sounds like after I have a desired ambient exposure, I turn on my Godox V1, Take a shot, then push the TCM button to convert to flash power number and reduce that to about 75% as a starting point and test again. Does that sound right or am I going the long way around?

[@tylercostin3787]

Good explanation but how do you know what flash power to use as a percentage(100%, 75%, 50%, etc) when my speedlight operates in fractions(manual mode) and +/- (in TTL mode)? Haven't found a video that explains at yet. If I'm at -1 exposure for my ambient light should I set my flash at +1 (in TTL mode to get my exposure back to 0?

[@robertwalker1284]

Will the Exposure Diamond method work with a Nikon Speed light SB800 Flash on my Nikon D3300 Camera?

[@alimarri3347]

Thank you But a question. What about the shutter speed above the sync ( for example 1/1000 and 1/8000) Because i noticed that above 1/320 or 1/250 , the amount of flash light will change as soon as we uncrease the shutter speed from 1/1000 to 1/8000. Why this happens?

[@jimcielencki1212]

Couldn’t thank you enough. This is the answer to my exact question.

[@Impostertot]

Brilliant demonstration Mr Wallace! Exposure diamond easy to remember. Funny, by coincidence, prior to watching your video I had to view an ad from another photographer who boasted that he "cracked the light code". All you need is to watch Mr Wallace's presentation folks.

[@soumoyadeepkundu3079]

But i tryed this method. When i chnge shuttr speed its effect my subject alos..when my shutter speed at 1/125 i i got proper expoesd to my subjejtc when I raise the shuyttr speed 1/500 but my flash powwr in intact its effcet my ambiance and my subjet also

[@nicholsonsaint-ange4927]

I want to know how to choose or determine how much power “ 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 “ put put on both three light “ key light, fill light …” settings studio so we can have a good exposure, a good portrait do side isn’t brighter than orther, contrast ….please?

[@b991228]

Using Sekonic manual meter. To get the outside exposure time take a spot meter outside background compensated to middle grey or a tad darker. Let’s say it’s 1/60”. With this hand held manual time exposure set to the 1/60th” that you had already determined measure the strobe f/stop and flash%. A good fill flash (strobe) percentage on the meter is from 20% to 40%. Season to taste.

[@pq45r]

Basics of photography is understood by u very lucidly Great tutorial sir... Always a fan of u...

[@DavyEnglish]

Thanks Mark for this video. I wasn't aware of an exposure diamond. great help thanks, Davy

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the very useful video. When I shot film, I only used my flash units at full power because some of the color film I used had problems with reciprocity failure if I decreased the flash intensity by decreasing the flash duration. Therefore, I used the flash to subject distance to decrease the flash intensity.

Hi. When you mention "flash power" that means you are modifying the exposure compensation of your flash?

[@Auhana50]

So your light meter reading would be 1/60 flash mode adjust the trigger reading until it reads f/16 for the correct exposure?

[@stanspb763]

I am often questiioned why a flash is on my camera even on sunny outdoor shooting. It is really simple, being able to control ambient exposure of the background independently from the subject. I guess they don't worry about one or the other but portraits and fashion, where other people are involved the photographer can't wait for the optimum ambient light. Between a folding scrim and flash rain, sun or night, I have to deliver. Once someone gets the concept, it is so logical to not have to wait for just the right sun or cloud conditions. You explanation was very good since it used a visual, easily remembered diagram of the relations between those exposure components. A short video on matching color temperatures of would be a good addition to this short Exposure Diamond clip. One of the main goals in using flash is to make a viewer unaware that light was augmented.

[@charleyl264]

That's the clearest and least complex demonstration that I've seen on this. Thanks.

[@saharal-yousef8842]

What about white balance? I find it difficult shooting with 2 type of lights: ambient & flash.. i only can shoot either flash alone or ambient light alone,, please help me out 🥲

[@khatunadvali4939]

Love his tutorials.Thank you Mark you are the best!

[@Lesterandsons]

Combining to different lights in an unique exposure is though, twice the parameters.

[@Changhyun84]

I always found it hard to explain balancing ambient and flash, but this video is SIMPLY AMAZING. I'll have to send this to whoever asks me about it next time!

[@enduraman1]

What’s cool about using flash and ambient light through a window is you can make shutter speed faster aka shorter to make it look darker outside or make shutter speed slower aka longer to make it look brighter outside. A balanced exposure is where you use a light meter to measure the flash output so it’s equal to the cameras ambient shutter speed, ISO, and aperture settings. However, a balanced flash exposure makes the subject and the background the same tone. It’s better to under expose the ambient so the subject pops!

[@mediafurrate8640]

Excellent! I've been failing in trying to illustrate this to my daughter - she will get it now. Thanks for posting.

[@gordonelwell7084]

Briliant explanation!

[@majadito1985]

Great video. Beautiful model.

[@edwardhubbard4947]

Super helpful - almost every flash tutorial starts with removing ambient light from the exposure and I just don’t shoot in that environment very much. Also - maybe best use of graphics I’ve seen on something like this.

[@mariomelillo3770]

Excellent way to present this difficult concept. I teach this to my students, and they often struggle with understanding the relationship. I’ll give the “diamond” method of explaining it a try next time around. Thanks!

[@photonsonpixels]

Very clever and unique explanation, Mark. Easy to understand! Thank you.

[@crehmenti]

Question: Which exposure triangle to use if using Constant Lights?

[@JothyJohn]

This is fantastic information . Made so much sense.. Thnak You.

[@jethercalope6378]

Wow I love this video. Thanks for sharing Mark

[@tomcorbett5508]

What do you do Mark if you have No light Meter? And how do you control the flash in ttl?

[@barisdemiray]

KZbin please delete all the other videos on how to balance ambient and flash light and do it in Spanish

[@Visionery1]

Mark, I've always had an interest in photography, having watched many of your videos the past two months I feel my theoretical knowledge is now at a higher level than most calling themselves 'professionals'. Imagine what I could achieve if I were your right hand man for six months, I'd even carry your camera bags. Oh, and the great thing about your videos is the total lack of um and ah.

[@MohanSimpson]

Hi, Mark Wallace....."Namaste" from India...🙏

[@rebelforrevolution]

If we bounce the flash indoor, will it affect ambient light?

[@AlbertArt]

Always informative, Mark. Thanks

[@RosMyster]

This is by far the most complicated thing in photography.

[@chetansp912]

Very informative video Mark. thank you.. :)

[@allenmoore9848]

Very nice explanation, having a diamond to visualise in my head makes this lesson really easy to remember for all time to come.

[@charruaporelmundo]

Super clear, next, the full tutorial en Español por favor? 😁

[@adrianabocanegraphotograph8912]

Great explanation!!!! 👍 I hope you are doing well and enjoying Buenos Aires 🇦🇷

[@collincourtois8587]

Superb demonstration. Thank you.

[@paulbarnwell4030]

As others have said, best video ever on controlling flash and ambient light.

[@mendietsantiago]

Thanks you so much, It is didactic video. Tu ingles no es tan malo >(

[@IamWhoYouSayIam]

I have watched Mark since 2012. But this episode is epic. This guy is a genius. It can’t get simpler than this. Thanks for sharing Mark

[@TimLaborde]

I agree. This has to be one of Mark's best on Ambient/Flash exposure balancing.

[@DiegoneSv]

Ottima spiegazione, molto utile l'utilizzo dei due triangoli, great job!

[@aineiasbabulis1512]

The only way to do that is to have the flash on TTL. Very important detail that you didnt mention.

[@gameuploaderish]

Can’t you also use the aperture to control the ambient as well ?

[@tanweercaa]

Excellent video Mark, you made it so easy, very nice.

[@thobert1]

I was told there would be no math.

[@simonmaggs1123]

Brilliant! I now understand 👨‍🎓

[@neohippyfreetheworld3398]

Thank you so much been trying to figure this out for ages can't wait to try it 🙂

[@x1roman]

Nice, clear and very easy video to understand, the best.

[@veromorbes]

Very clear explanation!! Thanks!

[@niniko582]

Thank you for the amazing tutorial ❤️

[@net200777]

Why didn't you do a tutorial without using a meter?

[@NoDoSwLa]

Perfect. Thank you. That was great

[@Triplebuc50]

Confirm please, that the "Exposure-Diamond", will perform correctly Indoors & Outdoors, Thank You

[@alexemm]

I'm yet to try it, but it makes perfect sense to me that it would, as you are exposing independently for the background and subject. It's just a matter of exposing them as you want the end result to appear. Adjust the shutter speed to adjust background exposure and adjust the strobe power to adjust the subject exposure, with aperture giving your desired depth of field.

[@jessestarks3128]

Very cool way to explain how to balance them out! 👍

[@roshanmadhuranga3528]

Very informative. Thanks..

[@bradleyhill5088]

This was an absolute great video.

[@Reason-fg4ik]

I've been watching Mark for years and I've gainedd more technical knowledge from Mark than any other online presence. Thank you Adorama and Mark Wallace!

[@TimLaborde]

Mark is a "light" genius. As they say, "He knows his shit".

[@jboogzthaproducer119]

how did you get f16 ? how was that calculated

[@freddensing1224]

Great way of explaining it that way, best one I have seen

[@pier-sebastiensalvas3693]

You use a explore 600 on this video?😜

[@gekk1985]

the flash has another parameter - pulse duration

[@dj.qb91]

So what if you didn’t have a light meter

[@MMPHOTOANDVIDEO]

Thanks sir very nice explain

[@MrMARS-yk1yv]

Absolutely top tutorial 💪🏼

[@JosesGarage101]

Can you apply this technique outside?

[@Auhana50]

That was so simplistic 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@basuhack]

simple and effective, thanks

[@rastogiatul]

Best information on the subject

[@claudiaviorica]

this is so easy explained, thank you!