Canon® EOS Rebel T1i/500D Digital Field Guide

Chapter 7. Using Flash

In This Chapter

• Exploring flash technology

• Modifying flash exposure

• Using accessory Speedlites

Whether you use the Rebel T1i/500D's onboard flash unit or an accessory Canon EX-series Speedlite, flash photography extends the creative opportunities of the Rebel in many different scenes. And with the continued improvements in flash settings and options, you can get natural-looking results whether you're shooting indoors or outdoors, particularly when you're using P, Tv, Av, and M shooting modes.

This chapter explores flash technology, details the use of the T1i/500D's onboard flash, and covers the menu options for both the built-in flash and for accessory EX-series Speedlites. This is not an exhaustive look at all the ways in which you can use the onboard or accessory flash units. Rather, the focus is on fundamental flash techniques and ideas for using flash for both practical situations and creative effect.

Exploring Flash Technology

Both the onboard flash and Canon's EX-series Speedlites employ E-TTL II technology. E-TTL stands for Evaluative Through-the-Lens flash exposure control. E-TTL II is a flash technology that receives information from the camera, including the focal length of the lens, distance from the subject, and exposure settings including aperture, and then the camera's built-in Evaluative metering system balances subject exposure with the existing light in the scene.

In more technical terms, with E-TTL II, the camera's meter reads through the lens, but ...