Photography with Flash

Module ATypes

FeaturesControl

Sync speedDual Lighting

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Presented by:Lester Parkes LPSNZ

New Brighton Photographic Clubwww.newbrightonphotoclub.org.nz

Flash light: Types & specs

• On-camera “pop-up” or off-camera unit.

• Small & convenient package

• Very fast pulse of light

Ex: Nikon SB800 ~ 1/1,100 – 1/2,700 sec)

Flash light: Types & specs continued …

• Directional light pattern- “harsh light” with shadows (use a diffuser or bounce off walls/ceiling)

• Power rating indicated by Guide Number (GN)- Calculation: GN = D x Ap (Ex: Nikon SB800 has GN = 38 @ ISO100, 35mm zoom)

• Level control: Automatic or manual- In both cases, amount of light determined by flash duration

Flash light: Camera ‘sync speed’

• ‘Sync speed’ is the fastest shutter speed that allows full illumination by flash

• Try this:1. Turn flash ‘off’

2. Set camera to ‘Manual’ mode with shutter at 1/1000sec

3. Turn flash ‘on’

4. Note change in shutter speed

The new shutter speed is the camera’s ‘sync speed’.

• Typical sync speeds: 1/160s, 1/250s, 1/300s(depends on camera brand)

Flash light: Control of exposure

• Flash is typically used to illuminate a foreground subject

• Controlling foreground illumination with flash:

1. Duration of the flash pulse

2. Camera: ISO and Aperture

3. Subject distance

Note: Shutter speed is not included

Key point:

Shutter speeds slower than the sync speed do not affect exposure of foreground by flash

Very short flash duration

SlowShutter speed

Compared to flashduration

Shutter > Sync speed

Flash light: Dual lighting• A shutter speed slower than the sync speed …

- does not affect flash exposure- allows background light to take part in the photograph

• Dual lighting situation:(1) Flash for foreground and (2) Ambient light for background

• Setting the shutter speed longer than the ‘sync speed’ is called ‘dragging the shutter’

• Method (refer to photo on next page):

1. Set camera to ‘Manual’

2. Adjust exposure for background (Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO) (make sure shutter speed is slower than the sync speed eg 1/100s, 1/60s etc)

3. Set Flash to ‘Manual’

4. Adjust flash level for foreground exposure

(Taking these photographs in dim light conditions favours a slower shutter speed Ex: sunrise, sunset )

Example of dual lighting:

Background (sunset) and Foreground (Flash)

More information …

http://strobist.blogspot.com

Select “Lighting 101” for 29 tutorials covering all aspects of photography with flash

(equipment, connections, lighting techniques)

http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

15 articles about flash photography techniques

(with lots of example photos)