EPM1 not firing strobe on white subjects in water column

[Gdog]

For some reason, when trying to shoot something white, such as a jellyfish, in the water column, my EPM1 wont fire the strobe even though it is set to always flash. Im shooting manual, 1/125, 200 ISO, F8. I dont have a focus light, but even when trying to light the subject with my can light, unless the subject is shot close to a solid background, the strobe will not fire. I am a rookie at manual shooting. Any input??!

Thanks!

 

[fisheater]

What, exactly, is your strobe setting?

Are you using external strobes, too?


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[Gdog]

Strobe is set to slave, at 4. It is a YS90Auto. I dont have a focus light, not sure if the sensor cant figure out what to focus on when the subject is opaque with no structure in the background? If I shoot the jelly, or comb jelly close to a solid background, everything works fine. In the open water column, camera doesnt fire the strobe at all.

 

[chris196]

Does the camera take a picture at all? Are you getting a dark image?
What exactly is the strobe setting? auto, fill in, full, 1/4, etc.
what lens?

It may not be achieving focus and thus not taking a picture at all.
If you suspect this you can put camera in manual focus or you can change the release priority.
I forget how to do it, it's in the manual.

 

[Gdog]

Yes, it takes a pic, with zero flash, a dark image. Strobe is set to slave, on auto2. Strobe power is on 4. I suspect it does have to do with focus, just not sure. Stock flat port, with 14-42 kit lens.

 

[chris196]

when I asked what the strobe was set to, I actually meant the camera. sorry about that.
from what you've described, it almost sounds like the camera is in auto mode for the flash. It's taking a picture but doesn't think it needs the flash, thus the dark image because your external strobe is not being fired.
You should have your camera flash set to fill in or one of the manual settings like 1/64 to conserve power.

 

[Gdog]

chris, the camera flash is set to fill-in, not auto. I appreciate your input so far, any other ideas?

 

[gert7to3]

Since the camera strobe isn't doing anything other than triggering the external strobe, I set my camera to 1/16th power. This forces the strobe to go off with every photo. Focus or rather the inability to get focus probably contributes to the problem. I have experienced this when shooting clear subjects in mid-water as well.

BTW, nice set of photos on Flickr.

 

[Gdog]

Awesome info, Ive implemented it. Thanks for all the input. And thanks for the flickr input gert!

 

[Gdog]

Well, setting the camera strobe down to 1/64 power didnt work. Tried setting it even lower, no go. Not sure where to go from here.