Off-camera Flash Using At the last AGM we asked for suggestions for tutorials Strangely Off Camera Flash was the most popular. The second most popular was Studio lighting to follow. In this presentation we won’t be talking about Why – i.e. What you can do with off camera flash Light placement Light modifiers Flash exposure We will talk about how to synchronise your flash exposures Off-camera Flash

Off Camera flash summary Allows artistic control over lighting “Simple manual” allows you to trigger flashes “Automatic” allows remote control over power too Cables/light and radio can all be used You can mix and match What’s best depends on; your needs your budget what you’ve already got

Camera Settings Don’t use Auto (Program, Shutter/Aperture priority) Camera will expose for the ambient light May choose an inappropriate shutter speed (too slow) May choose an inappropriate aperture (insufficient depth of field) Go for Manual As a starting point … 100 ISO, F8, 1/125th Aim to ensure the ambient light has no effect

Flash Exposure Settings Auto Works best with just one light Lets you change settings without worrying about exposure Use Flash exposure compensation if it’s too light or too dark Manual Experiment and see what works Remember to check exposure regularly

Flash Synchronisation Wired Easy, straight-forward Watch out for the cables Simple Wireless Trigger the flash wirelessly Set the power on the flash Dedicated Wireless Set the power and trigger the flash remotely

On Camera flash - Direct PROs Easy CONs Not interesting Portrait format gives odd shadows Small “hard” light source Side shadows in portrait format No control over background

On Camera flash – Ceiling bounce PROs Less harsh shadows Looks natural Shows the “shape” of the subject CONs Can have dark shadows Needs a ceiling

On Camera flash – back wall bounce PROs Soft light Easy CONs Little control over background lighting Needs a wall

On Camera flash – side wall bounce PROs Soft light Looks really natural Easy Shows the “shape” of the subject CONs Needs a wall

Direct flash – from the side PROs Looks natural Shows the “shape” of the subject Allows greater control of light placement and direction CONs Generates hard shadows

Direct flash – from the side 2 Feather the light away from the background. Allows control of light placement and direction

Rembrant lighting 45o Across 450 Up PROs Great starting point Allows you to feather light onto the background

Rembrant lighting with reflector PROs Balances light and shadow Only needs 1 light CONs Needs a reflector and something/someone to hold it

Effective Light size - Larger Use a diffuser to make the light source larger. PROs Gives softer shadows Can feather the light onto the background. CONs Need to hold diffuser

Effective Light size – Even Larger! Use an umbrella to make the light source even larger. PROs Gives even softer shadows CONs Need to hold diffuser

Move your light Move the light to different heights/position for different effects.

Light from below – With Care!

Using 2 lights – Equal power PROs Gives softer even lighting Great for record shots Works for large groups CONs Not the most exciting look

Using 2 lights – Asymetical PROs Looks natural Flattering light CONs Does require setting up You need to manage the ratios

Keylight and Hairlight PROs Adds separation between subject and background Adds a highlight

Keylight, Hairlight and Reflector Also known as the classic 3 light portrait

Lighting the background PROs Adds separation between subject and background CONs Needs an extra light Needs space between subject and background

Lighting the background 2 Turn the power up to make a grey background white Add a filter for a coloured background

Special effects… Aim a light into the air behind the subject Fill air with canned smoke Add fun lighting on the subject