1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

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

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. Light from below – With Care!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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