This short tutorial describes how to properly set one's TTL hi-speed sync capable camera flash for fill when the subject is in shade and the background is sunny.

I did this series to illustrate how I do it with a Canon 5D and 580EX Speedlite, with or without a modifier. (These were done with a small softbox.)

The first shot is the subject and background with the Camera set to Av and reading the scene using Evaluative metering.

Camera Evaluative, 0EV, No Flash, 1/16000 F4.0 ISO 1600

The next shot is with the flash firing using HiSpeed Sync with no compensation for either the background or subject.

Camera Evaluative, 0EV, Flash 0FEC, 1/2500 F4.0

The third shot is with the flash firing as before with no compensation but the camera is set to -2EV (Max for 5D)

Camera Evaluative, -2EV, Flash 0FEC, 1/8000 F4.0

This is the most pleasing result. By tweaking the EV and FEC setting it’s possible to produce images that look naturally lit without blowing out the background.

The fourth shot is with the flash firing as before but with plus Flash Exposure Compensation but the camera set to -2EV (Max for 5D)

Camera Evaluative, -2EV, Flash +1FEC, 1/8000 F4.0

This illustrates how the combination can be used to separate the foreground subject from a background even when it appears the background it too bright.

And just to complete things here is the setup:

Setup shot with -2EV and +1FEC

I expect that Nikon cameras and Flashes work essentially the same way.

The ISO is set high and the shutter is near its maximum with the minus EV compensation.

If this were a wedding or similar I would have the light more at the angle of the sun. or on a bracket above the lens for fill. The small softbox is a great modifier when doing this type of shot since it can be placed near the subject for soft shadow definition.

Generally, I want a wide aperture to soften the background and then use the shutter speed to get things dark. That poses a problem with a non-TTL flash since the X synch speed of the camera becomes another limiting factor.

And have fun experimenting and learning.