How to Use a Light Meter for Outdoor Portraits

Want those moody outdoor portraits using flash? Well its a lot easier than you might think. In this video lighting tutorial I will break down how to use a light meter for outdoor photography.

I will show you examples of images both with and without flash. We will talk about how to balance flash with the ambient light, as well as, how to create darker moodier portraits.

In this video Im using the

#salcincotta #portraitphotography #flashphotography

0:00 - Introduction
0:20 - Why do I need a light meter outdoors?
1:00 - How to use a light meter
1:53 - First Shots
3:18 - Adjusting the power of flash
3:45 - Photoshoot

[clarkconway]

@SalCincotta1 Hey Sal! Want to hear something funny? I thought you were some stuck-up, rich Italian guy when I first found your videos and began watching them. LOL!!! But I have been enjoying your videos long enough now, that I actually understand your fast-talking and can follow along and learn without rewinding. I live in Evansville, Indiana which is only two hours from the Gateway to the West! I really need to drive over and join in the Shutter Fest Fun soon! Merry Christmas! 🎅

[Keith]

Glad you are teaching how to use a light meter. I used to shoot everything with a Hasselblad that required the use of light meter. One of my friends asked how I was able to get 24 perfect exposes on each uncut roll over hundreds of rolls. It was simple, just use and understand on how a light meter works. The light meter is a forgotten art.

[jumpingtuners]

This is really helpfull . Had to think over a few times to comprehend what is going on . Step by step and with what purpose . Really nice shots i like that style to

[dalesanders]

Finally a video on this that made sense! I watched, I tried, I succeeded! Awesome Sal! Thank you!

[TressaShaw]

I do the same. I just straight up set the ambient to my liking and then take the meter reading to expose for the subject. The concept works great when going for a dramatic sky and popping the subject with flash. :)

[ohnoflicks]

My first meter was a Gossen Luna Pro 😮 Yes, I’m a dinosaur 😂 But it was the best tool ever when it came to learning about Light in general. When I got the thing, I metered everything in the house LOL. Then a few years later I got my first Flash Meter and that changed everything. Still have the Gossen. It is still useful for cinema. Have the Sekonic 858. Love it.

[dancu]

A lot of thanks for making and sharing!!

[deewonda]

A GREAT video, Sal! I’m a on-location headshot photographer. Occasionally, clients will want to be photographed outdoors and it’s been a challenge to get an image where the subject is well lit and the background is a bit more darker, dramatic! Now I know what to do and how to use my Sekonic L-308S-U meter. Thank you!!😊

[kappakumplete]

Hi Sal. Great video that made a lot of sense. Question for you. Is a light meter still useful once the photographer introduces high speed sync or ND filters for creative use of depth of field? Or am I just stuck eye-balling things at that point? I'm constantly fooled when reviewing how my lighting looks on the LCD screen and was hoping my neglected light meter could help.

[charliegreen]

Hey Sal great video, just want to check when you were taking the shots at the end with the darker background at f/5.6 with flash did you meter the flash for f/5.6?

[vincentnavea]

why is the dome of the lightmeter closed or hidden

[brianreed]

Thank You Sal. This is something i have been curious about for a REALLY long time as well. I have only used my light meter in studio only ... until now. ;-P I haven't done a whole lot of outdoor portraits but now I have the information I need to pull it off.

I can say that I am probably going to go just a wee bit darker in the background myself. I want my model(s) to REALLY POP (aka, IN YOUR in the frame. (Evil Cackling)

[PeterBielack]

Hi Sal! I watch your videos with great interest and this one in particular caught my attention! Sal, please tell me how you use your light meter when you want to balance ambient light with flash light but want to keep the aperture at f/1.2 as your lens allows?

[na-zuey]

Why did you set the shutter speed to 1/250 on the meter when metering the ambient light if you knew you were going to set your camera's shutter to 1/200 when using your flash?

[JakeThesnake-kn]

You changed your shutter speed from one stop to the next?

[richwoodham]

Nice work Sal... I am really enjoying your videos... Can't believe I just found u on YT ... 😞

[manuelodabashian]

I have a handheld meter and shot someone outside. The background went very dark which was not what I wanted. It was in ambient mode. How do get round this? I want a natural background no flash

[carolinamaristad]

Hey I love your content❤❤ How do you use this flash meter to setup hss? A big hug ❤

[NOTHING-]

Hey saul i gave u first comment first like and first view bro ❤❤ Love ur videos

[urirojas]

Awsrme, what are the other settings for in the light meter? I have this same exact matter