TTL Flash Or Manual Flash in the Studio | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

[@MC0bby]

I see a new video from Gavin Hoey, I click on a new video from Gavin Hoey. Such a great teacher!

[@ernie28ernie]

Gavin Hoey, unsung hero of home studio photography! Manual flash user here ;)

[@denisduchesne2899]

I was a TTL user because I did not understand the flash... but one day, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and all the manual flash concepts became clear to me. Now, I am always using manual flash.

[@peeweebarney]

I have all the equipment, but I need a studio. It is great how easy it is to learn how to use manual mode, with multiple lights. I like the way he teaches you.

[@chrisschindler7634]

Gavin thank you. First video I’ve seen anyone talk about TCM and how to use TTL as a starting point then convert to manual.

[@GavinHoey]

TCM is one of those underused features that might be just the ticket for many photographers. Glad I could give it some airtime 👍

[@peeweebarney]

Some strobe light brands and remotes does not have a TCM function.

[@elfox3537]

Thank you explaining how TTL & TCM work! It’s great to find videos that teach to different levels of experience! 🙂

[@deenugent473]

I've learned this method from Gavin a few years back and I am still using the method today. It's always great to watch a Gavin refresher video! Thank you Gavin. 👍

[@saskelee]

6:42 i have been using these flashes for year and i never ever knew what the TCM button was used for until this moment. Thank you so much!!!!!!!

[@ElevatedThreat]

Excellent video! Now THAT'S some information that can be used!! You are at your best in this tutorial. TTL vs Manual has been needed for a long time. We'll, speaking for myself, of course. Thank you for this video!

[@GavinHoey]

Glad it was of help 👍

[@BirdsandMore2376]

Hi Gavin! Hi Chloe! My fave photography teacher and my favorite model. Another awesome video!

[@JohnChubbSr]

While beginning to learn flash photography TTL has been useful while learning manual. At the same time learning to read a light meter was confusing. I've noticed great photographers will not use a light meter, only TTL. So, I'm learning TTL and using a light meter as well for the best of both worlds so to speak. This video shows why TTL and manual have a place to gain the correct exposure. Thank you, Gavin!

[@seanryan9838]

This is just what I needed to get started with my Godox V1.

[@alexugljesic]

Another great one from you and Chloe! I never miss to watch your tutorials!

[@agnesz1900]

Since I discovered Adorama and Gavin's videos, nothing seems impossible anymore. Everything is explained perfectly, straightforwardly. Even though English is not my native language, the videos are understandable. Watching them is wonderful, they contain a lot of knowledge. Thanks to Gavin and Adorama for the great job. Greetings from Poland! P.S. TTL and manual ❤

[@MyMomDrank]

Gavin is my favorite. Can’t wait for the next one with the shiny shoot!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words. Shiny photos in a tiny studio is coming next month 👍

[@juliocpanivino]

In every video of yours I always learn something new 😮 Gavin you are a masta ❤

[@MariusVolden]

I gotta try to remember to start off with TTL and use TCM once in a while. Gavin Hoey is my favorite photographer

[@GavinHoey]

Glad I could help 😁

[@MariusVolden]

​@@GavinHoey Oh, you've helped me more than you know! Since opening my photo studio in our cozy town/village, Rakkestad in Norway, your tips have been invaluable. It has become a creative hub for our local photo club, where I show them different techniques from your videoes. Doing it this way I learn even more, because I have to explain to them what and why things happen the way they do ☺ My current favorite reminder to tell them is to "powerdump" when turning down the flashes 🤣

[@KalebShield]

@@GavinHoeyHey Gavin quick question were you using a custom white balance inside your camera or AWB ? If you were using custom, do you usually set your white balance to the same temperature as your strobe lights or how do you go about that

[@dunnymonster]

Brilliant as always Gavin, likewise I use full manual flash where possible but almost always TTL for fast moving events. The only thing I would add is TTL works really well when you are controlling your camera in full manual. I shoot full manual all the time anyway so I get good results but those who shoot semi or full auto will likely get poor results from TTL. Asking the camera to not only calculate flash exposure automatically along with aperture and ISO ( in shutter priority ) or shutter and ISO ( in aperture priority ) is a recipe for disaster. Shooting full auto with TTL is worse still. I'd suggest anybody wanting to utilise TTL learn to control their camera settings manually first. If the camera has these settings fixed to start with its likely to make a better job of calculating the TTL flash exposure 🙂

[@peeweebarney]

Thanks for your tip. So I will set my camera to manual mode with base settings on ISO, & shutter speed. The aperture, I will pick f8, so in between sharpness & blurry background.

[@DylanRichardson841]

Great video as always. I'm like you when it comes to how I light my photos, sometimes I go manual and other times I shoot with TTL. Thanks for all you do and keep the videos coming. :)

[@paulengle5784]

Thank you for reminding us about TCM.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Hello Gavin, thanks for sharing.

[@johnclay7644]

great video Gavin, great result informative topic.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks John 👍

[@andrewelder2739]

I love TTL for speedlight settings in events, when conditions change frequently. Does a great job, usually with the worst photos straight out of camera still easily recoverable in post.

[@Michel_Vanaken]

Manual in the studio, TTL outdoors (where I use only one strobe as a fill, 90% of the time).

[@jonathanm9436]

Wow - this was SO interesting and SO clearly explanatory. Thank you!

[@johnleighdesigns]

fab to see - if i had TTL on my budget speedlites i think i would use it only to get initial exposure and work from there - ive never had TTL and always work in manual hurrah!

[@007PJG]

Always great video Gavin

[@Shoikan]

Use the right tool for the job at hand. And what's the right tool for one person may not be the right tool for another :) Knew most things mentioned, but.. the 'tcm' button was a very useful new little tidbit. Even if I get only one thing like that from these videos they're totally worth my time!

[@PatrickNehls-u1n]

I'm with you on this Gavin. I shoot events with ttl flash. I like to balance the ambient light with the flash. I always have great results. Other times, I'm using manual flash where I need the control and consistency, mainly in studio work. Thanks for another great video.

[@alanroderick702]

Super video. I tend towards TTL on location for movement and changing camera positions, and Manuel in Studio with (usually) more considered et-ups.

[@GavinHoey]

That sounds all very sensible to me Alan 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

Great video Gavin I will admit I don't know what camp I sit in

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kirsty. You don't need to choose a camp, being in both is perfectly OK 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

@GavinHoey I fully agree with you Gavin but to be honest it depends on what you prefer personally qI don't mind as long as it gets the job done

[@jamespeters5913]

Great info, well explained...I am so new to this.....I think I have a price tag on my head...lol...learning how to do off camera flash...love the way the manual was explained light by light...the sample pics helped big time!! Well done!!

[@KJDPhotographySA]

Same for me More in Manual love the control, TTL when using a single light when testing, also when I teach students on the TCM functionality of the Trigger and off camera flash setups.

[@thegirlwholeftthefridgeopen]

That makes sense!

[@skyace888]

I'm mostly a manual photographer when it comes to strobes. Full control and want to be purposeful with the lighting setup, TTL can be handy in a pinch though like you mentioned.

[@cre8tivity06]

I used to shoot TTL when I was starting out but now I’m experienced, I use manual flash for everything.

[@davidlima8360]

Belo trabalho!! 🇧🇷

[@buckturgidson9666]

I'm so deep in the TTL camp: I use it almost exclusively, adjusting the different lights (+/- 3.0) in the wireless trigger. New strobes are ordered as an addition, but they are manual mode only so I'll learn this mode soon, too.

[@johnfield7805]

Not being a great technical person, I got my transmitter out to check it out and found I have been shooting in manual all the time, Who knew?

[@AbSesayPhoto]

Well Done Gavin

[@kenn6592]

Just exploring flash photography. Enjoyed the video thanks. QUESTION: How would you go about using TTL/Manual on a 'fill flash' basis? Another video please! (Godex V1Pro /trigger with Sony A7RV)

[@londonken]

Very useful video , I am going to try TTL as I always used manual. Just a word if I may, I have partial hearing, and I have trouble understanding you over the volume of the music. I tried subtitles but there doesn't seem to be any on this video. So if you could just be aware I would be very grateful.

[@samabsi2009]

Hello Gaivn, I hope you are doing well. I've been watching your videos on KZbin for a while now, and because I'm interested in flash photography, I'm a little confused by what you've said in this video. Could you please clarify the following? Why did you utilize high-speed sync (f/1.4, 1/4000th) at the end, while you always use the flash sync speed (1/200th) inside the studio? Additionally, I've observed that when you have three light sources, you meter the main light source , and you set your camera to that , and then meter the fill light and the back light separately. However, you do not use a single mesure for all three combined light sources. Beacouse, I have noticed in a video for "Mark Wallace" that he takes a measure for the three light sources combined together at the end,and the value will be higher than the main light.

[@biddybix9154]

I've always been a Manual Flash user, but this weekend I'm about to try out 2 new strobes with a hot shoe controler similar to the type you use. So we will see what happens..... As I can see from your video, both Manual and TTL have a place in the scheme of things, but I imagine I will still prefer Manual, as I have no need for speed when I shoot with strobes.

[@Cinq1]

That was great. I have a question. With ttl, your settings use 1/250ss but when you are on manual, you shoot at 1/4000. Is there a reason for that?

[@motleykingdom9394]

Question: Does TTL automatically adjust as you move a flash closer/further from the subject? I have an on camera flash (new Flashpoint R200 Ring Flash) so I'm guessing TTL would be good for when I move closer/further from the model. I typically only use manual and off camera flash. PS. I now know what the Turner Classic Movies button is for on my flash remote.

[@wilbmoore]

I have a request. Can you do one of your 15 minute challenges? I really loved those.

[@peeweebarney]

Give me a link of one example, please.

[@oedam]

Thanks for all your brilliant videos. I do some portraits of people with glasses. How do I get around getting shadows from the glassfranes over the eyes? Best regards Øyvind from Norway

[@GavinHoey]

Good question. Larger light modifiers for softer shadows would be a good place to start.

[@L.Spencer]

I have heard of TTL relating to my on camera flash/speedlight, but I don't think I've noticed the option on the strobes at school.

[@truthsayers8725]

for on camera flash in PJ work, TTL has been a game changer. i used to use the canon 600ex rt but only in manual settings. i saw your video on the 3-head kit from Godpoint (or was it Flashox?) and i got one of those kits (godox because it was in stock vs the flashpoint from the respective dealers) but they do not have TTL. while loading up with identical gear as you use, im STILL HAVING nothing but trouble finding a suitable substitute for Chloe (or Sophie for that matter )...

[@peeweebarney]

Simple, just ask to loan you both! 😅

[@humanmeyer6982]

I am a total manual user.. bit of a controle freak... 😊

[@raffaelebusa4701]

Hi @GavinHoey and thank you for the video! I had a look at your "product used" list but can't find any info on the screen you show in the video, can you help me with that? Thank you in advance!

[@GavinHoey]

That's my rather old Lenovo Miix 2 in 1 Laptop / Tablet. I don't think it's made any more but something like a Microsoft Surface might be a closer equivalent.

[@raffaelebusa4701]

@@GavinHoey thank you very much!

[@KickingupDust]

Gavin, how do I know which TCM setting to choose in the menu?

[@naivterrible8605]

Is there a similar channel, but for studio video shooting?

[@peeweebarney]

For video shooting, don't you need constant lighting, and not flash lighting?

[@geraldinebryce594]

Hi Gavin always enjoy watching . I am really disappointed that when I tried to order from Adorama they told me they don't ship to UK. I wanted to order a flashpoint heavy suggestive pin for my new c stand so I can move my soft boxes and lights. Do you know if an alternative in UK ?

[@geraldinebryce594]

SWIVEL pin

[@dunnymonster]

Pixapro is your answer at UK based Essential Photo. Basically Pixapro is rebranded Godox in the same way Flashpoint is Adoramas rebadged Godox. 😉

[@mikebutcher5569]

Manual flash with no flash, no picture starting point.

[@conradpreston8395]

I don't like dark so I would use a reflector down low

[@GavinHoey]

Fair enough. Personally I mostly love shadows, hence no reflector. No rights or wrongs in art 👍

[@MicahTischler]

I wish Gavin had covered the caveat that, for TCM (conversion from TTL to manual) to work on Godox/Flashpoint flash controllers, you have to tell it the power (in joules) of your lights, which it also assumes to be uniform. Personally, while I'm a semi-devout Godox/Flashpointer, I see this as a limitation that should be acknowledged, as it's something of a biggie.

[@jasonbodden8816]

Check 7:08.

[@KevinRusso]

I prefer using manual when in the studio. I just don't trust TTL. I also don't want the camera making the decision for me. The TTL can be technically proficient, but I prefer to make images about mood and feeling, TTL can't register that. I've been doing this a long time and know what I want and like and can get there fairly quickly.

[@oscarshimange8746]

I am Both depending on the conditions

[@isoawe1888]

Having a neutral scene / clothes certainly increases you TTL success rate.

[@jasongreenwood3260]

Yes...ttl is good...on the whole.

[@peeweebarney]

TTL, from his video, is good for action shoots, like weddings. But set your camera on manual mode with base settings on your ISO, & shutter speed.

[@inlocoparentis]

An interesting test will be if TTL works as well when you have a dark-skinned model with light or white clothes.

[@johnclapperton8211]

Are you using eye-detect TTL?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi John. Never heard of eye detect TTL.If it helps I'm using TTL where I mention it and every photo makes use of face and eye detect AF regardless of TTL or Manual flash mode.

[@johnclapperton8211]

Hi Gavin, Fujifilm (X-T4) has eye-detect autofocus and a menu option to lock autoexposure to the focus zone, though the manual doesn't explicitly say that this extends to TTL. I've done tests with black, and white, backgrounds, to see whether the TTL is still measuring from a broad area rather than just the eye, and the results are good, but I wondered whether this is a feature in othe camera systems.

[@WvlfWar]

I think Chloe is the personification of an angel

[@theoell2049]

What software do you use for Tethering?

[@vernonsmith6176]

I have a better question....what is the name of the tethered monitor you are using for viewing the photos???

[@wendystumbaugh695]

What is the best “white” to use in the studio?

[@michaelkroening]

20% TTL and 80% Manual

[@orbiemarte9792]

Hi, just wanted to ask why 1/4000 shutter speed?

[@plutonium5156]

Aperture was 1.4. Needed a fast shutter to knock out the ambient light

[@aljawad]

I’m an “old-chool-light-man-carrying-manual-flash-photographer”!

[@KalebShield]

How tall is that light stand he’s using ?

[@GavinHoey]

I believe the light stand he's using has a potential height of 8' or 2.4 meters but he very rarely uses them at their maximum as I understand it 😉

[@KalebShield]

@@GavinHoey Thank you so much for the reply ! And how do you go about your white balance ? Do you ever use a white balance card for outdoors and then for studio lights change your white balance inside your camera to match the studio lights Kevin temperature ?

[@MsGenosse]

Manual mode only.

[@RonK]

Do I see a new tether cable on that floor? No way you straightened the old crumbled one that much, or is it? 😂

[@haterkmp]

Manuel XD my flashes cant work in TTL. Either my triggers... I need to find an email from one of those Persians Prince with fortune and no heirs...

[@lyapunov_aleksandr]

Only manual, only hardcore!

[@waky123]

manual flash

[@back2lay]

I didn't think flash meters could read HSS flash 🤔

[@dunnymonster]

Gavin is using the Sekonic 858 light meter which as far as I'm aware is the only light meter capable of metering HSS flash 😉

[@back2lay]

Ooooohhh, that explains it. Didn't know such a thing was possible.

[@MikeSapiecha]

manual

[@JD.photoart]

Battery level at 6:41 is giving me anxiety... 😂

[@GavinHoey]

I only use rechargeable batteries which even when full only output 1.2v But the transmitter doesn't know that and is looking for the1.5v from single use batteries, hence the low level warning 😉

[@eszti-ci5mt]

I love how interesant your learn videos📷👍🫶