How to Use a Nikon SB800 Flash for Outdoor Fill Flash

Shooting photographs outdoors often results with subjects that have dark shadows on their faces and even under the eyes. Camera-mounted flashes tend to get used primarily indoors, not outdoors. But by using just enough flash to eliminate the shadows, the photographer will end up with a picture where the subject and the background are evenly lit.
Nikon's SB-800 flash is a powerful unit that is capable of handling most situations that a photographer will encounter. The SB-800 is well suited for fill flash photography and it is easy to manually adjust the flash's exposure compensation settings. Follow the steps below and see for yourself how using a flash outdoors will improve your photography.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nikon SB-800 Nikon SLR Body

1. Mount the SB-800 on the camera body. Turn on the camera and flash, and get familiar with the flash controls. With the flash in the "TTL" mode, press the "SEL" button to highlight the Flash output level compensation value.

2. Use the "+" or "-" buttons, which are located above and below the "SEL" button, to adjust the exposure compensation. The exposure can be set from "-3 EV" to "+3EV" in one to three steps. Press the "SEL" button one more time when the correct setting has been selected.

3. Position the subject as desired outdoors, and take a photograph with the flash turned off. Review the photograph in the camera's LCD screen. If the subject has unwanted shadows or is dark compared to the background, turn on the flash and take another shot at "0" compensation. Normally, a full power flash setting will wash out or leave hotspots on the subject. If this is the case, proceed to Step 4.

4. 
   Flash Compensated "-1&1/3 EV"

   Take a series of photographs while varying the exposure compensation, as described in Steps 1 and 2. Start at "-1EV," and depending on the results, adjust compensation up or down. After each shot, carefully review that photograph until the setting is found that produces a result that the photographer likes.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to take lots of photographs and review each one in-camera to see what does and does not work. The great advantage of digital photography is the amount of information provided by the camera. Make use of that advantage and increase your photography skill level.