Even experienced photographers ask me how to use speedlights outdoors. So let me give you one more step-by-step for pics like this:
A method:
- Set your ISO to 100
- Set your shutter speed to your fastest sync speed (typically, 1/25oth sec)
- Now, ignoring any flash, select the aperture you need for a good background exposure. Probably something like f/8 to f/16 (the lower the number, the better, for your flash’s sake).
- Now set your flash to manual, full power.
- With that setting, try to see how close the flash needs to be to light up your close-by subject effectively. If that is too close for you, use it without modifiers and/or zoom it in manually. Or add more flashes.
- Then, once you know what you are working with, you can choose to use TTL or manual, keeping the flash at that distance or closer.
That kind of methodical thinking will get you going quickly.
Typically, on a cloudy day it’s easy; on a sunny day. you will struggle with a speedlight, meaning you need to be close and/or unmodified.
Try it and ask here if you have questions, or do some coaching: I’m here to teach you this stuff quickly.
