Introduction to Off Camera Flash Lights, Camera, now what? Introduction to Off Camera Flash

What we will cover Types of flash Equipment Settings Strobe vs. Speedlight Equipment Speedlight Triggers Modifiers and Reflectors Light meter Settings The Exposure Triangle TTL vs Manual Where to start Lighting (demo plus slides) On Camera Party Flash aka Deer in the headlights Bounce (Ceiling, Wall) Off Camera Broad - Softbox with and without reflector Short - Softbox with and without reflector Clam Shell - Beauty Dish using reflector 2 Light Set Up Hairlight Lighting the backdrop Working with a model

Types of Flash Strobes Speedlights Large typically powerful flash units Typically 2x to 10x stronger then speedlights Numerous modifiers available Modeling Light is standard Require strong power sources Plugged in or large battery pack Not very mobile Cost ranges from ~$200 to $1500+ Speedlights Small flash units that can be attached to the camera via the hot shoe Not a powerful as a Strobe No true modeling light built in Small light source that can be very harsh without modification Modifiers becoming more inline with Strobes Typically require AA batteries Highly mobile Cost ~$60 - $550

Equipment - Speedlight Designed to work with the hot shoe on top of most SLR cameras Power setting can be controlled either manually or via TTL Manual control on the back of the unit TTL though the lens allows the camera to control exposure with manual override Newer models can be triggered via onboard optical or radio triggers when off camera Prices range from $60 to $550

Equipment – Triggers Some allow for TTL control Not required for Speedlights, but recommended Enhances the reliability and range of remote flash triggering Allows for more flexibility with the positioning of the camera and use of modifiers Work via Radio Control Signals Need a Transmitter and a Receiver 1 transmitter per active camera body 1 receiver per flash unit Some allow for TTL control Price range from ~$50 t0 $200

Equipment - Triggers

Equipment – Light Meter Recommended whenever using manual lights Less important if using TTL metering A must have if shooting for clients Allows for quickly dialing in exposure and flash power settings

Equipment – Modifiers and Reflectors What is a modifier? A modifier could be most anything that reflects, softens, or controls the light. Why should I care? A painter paints with paints, a photographer paints with light…control of light can enhance any portrait, change the contrast ratio

Equipment – Modifiers and Reflectors Sheet of Fome-Core Rogue Flashbender Westcott 26” Rapid Octabox with Beauty Dish attachment TriGrip Diffusor/Reflector 5-in-1 Reflector

Settings – Exposure Triangle Aperture Determines depth of field Affects the brightness the flash in the image Sutter Speed Controls the amount of ambient light Slower shutter speed = more ambient light that is present in the image Higher shutter speeds are not always necessary to stop motion when using flash ISO Controls both Flash brightness and ambient light

Settings – TTL Flash vs Manual Flash TTL – Through The Lens Camera determines correct exposure via a pre-flash In Aperture Priority camera will set Flash Power and Shutter Speed to determine correct exposure In Shutter Speed Priority camera will set Flash Power and Aperture to determine correct exposure Manual Mode (on Camera) camera will only set the Flash Power A good place to start Camera shutter speed: 1/125 to 1/200 Aperture: F8 ISO: 100 Depending on your camera, shutter speed must stay below 1/200 or 1/250 of a second for proper sync High speed sync does allow for faster shutter speeds.

Settings – TTL Flash vs Manual Flash When using a Flash in Manual Mode (on Speedlight) the camera does not determine flash power Flash power is set on the actual speedlight or strobe Some triggers do allow for remote control of flash power A good starting point for shooting with manual flash is: Camera shutter speed: 1/125 to 1/200 Aperture: F8 ISO: 100 Flash: ½ Power Depending on your camera, shutter speed must stay below 1/200 or 1/250 of a second for proper sync High speed sync does allow for faster shutter speeds. Leaf shutters allow for higher flash sync speeds

Lighting – On Camera Party Lighting Bounce Flash is attached to the camera pointed directly at victim Flat light with no shadows and usually glowing red eye Bounce Flash is usually attached to the camera, but the head is turned either up, back, or to the side Looking to use a wall or ceiling as a “new” larger source of light Allows for directional lighting and creation of more attractive shadows Light may take on color tint based on the color of wall

Demos Flash on Camera – Shoot directly at model Flash on Camera – Use Ceiling as bounce Flash on Camera – Use wall or similar (reflector/foam core) as bounce

Lighting – Off Camera Broad The subject’s face is slightly turned away from center, and the side of the face which is toward the camera (is broader) is in the light Makes a person’s face look broader or wider

Lighting – Off Camera Short Lighting Lit part of the face is turned away from the camera Puts more of the face in shadow, is more sculpting, adds 3D qualities Helps to slim the face Loop Style Defined by creating a small shadow of the subjects noses on their cheeks Light source must be slightly higher than eye level and about 30-45 degrees from the camera

Demo Flash off Camera – Unmodified at 45x45, 5ft from model Flash off Camera – 26in Rapid Box w/Beauty Dish plate and diffusion panel model Broad and Short lighting Work with model to show changes in pose and light Bring in reflector to change ratios

Lighting – Off Camera Clam Shell Flash in front of and above subject Reflector or 2nd flash in front and below subject Used for glamour look Fills in shadow areas and is very flattering for women and headshots

Demo Clam Shell use 26in Rapid Box w/ Beauty Dish no diffusion panel Reflector below @ mid chest 60+ degree angle

Lighting – Off Camera 2nd Light Can be used to either Separate the subject from the background Bring attention to areas in the background that help tell the story Sculpt and lighten shadows to create a more interesting portrait

Demo Use speedlight to light shadow side Add Speedlight behind 45 or so and above for hairlight Use speedlight to light background If time do dramatic light with key light slightly behind and camera left and hair light camera right

Lighting – On Location Speedlights or Studio Flashes can be used on location shoots Use same techniques as portrait lighting Light(s) off camera Triggered by camera or remote Modifiers can assist for controlling contrast Assist in capture of fast moving animals or birds Can bring 1-2 stops more light to poorly lit objects or animals

Lighting – Be Creative Ultimately the is no “right” or “wrong” way to light a subject You, as the artist,must paint in a fashion that you like and find interesting Speedlights and Strobes provide the paint with which a photographer works with Modifiers (softboxes, reflectors, grids, colored gels) are the brushes that apply the paint to the canvas

Resources to Learn More KelbyOne www.kelbyone.com Youtube Search for B&H Event Series Robert Harrington Studio Lighting Speedlights Joe McNally www.joemcnally.com