Using a Portable Flash
Simply stated, a flash unit adds light to a subject when you are shooting in an area of low illumination.
But that’s only the start. Light is, or should be, used for enhancing your subject; making it more dynamic and appealing. A photographer does that by taking the light from a flash unit and shaping it, softening it, coloring it, adding it to other flash units, and much more. All sorts of possibilities exist, and many will be demonstrated during this class.
Specific topics to be addressed include:
- Aiming the flash directly at the subject versus bouncing the flash off an umbrella or ceiling
versus covering the flash with a diffuser or softbox.
- Reducing the flash output to create “fill” light.
- Producing a background behind the subject that is decently exposed.
- Controlling light from the flash and ambient light separately.
- Creating wild and cool pictures using the Blurred-Sharp Shot technique.
- Slaving multiple flash units together.
The basics of three-point lighting will be introduced and discussed. You will learn both the advantages of following its rule and the joy of sometimes completely ignoring it.
In addition, the operation of my non-expensive automatic flash, will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated. This type of flash’s greatest advantage, by the way, is its ability to link to the camera and have the camera control most of its settings.
If you own a small portable flash and have a camera you are comfortable operating on Manual, feel free to bring them. Also, please bring both your camera manual and flash manual.
PLEASE NOTE: This course is not designed for learning the operation of your own specific flash. It’s aimed instead at giving you a clear understanding of what can be done with a portable flash to greatly improve your photography. However, if time permits, I will try to answer questions that will help you better understand how to use your own flash, should you own one.
A very complete handout will be given to you when you arrive. It contains lots of information, and will greatly simplify the process of understanding what is being taught in class. In addition, the handout will allow you to spend less time taking notes and more time listening and participating in class. You also will find it quite useful for review after the course has ended.
But that’s only the start. Light is, or should be, used for enhancing your subject; making it more dynamic and appealing. A photographer does that by taking the light from a flash unit and shaping it, softening it, coloring it, adding it to other flash units, and much more. All sorts of possibilities exist, and many will be demonstrated during this class.
Specific topics to be addressed include:
- Aiming the flash directly at the subject versus bouncing the flash off an umbrella or ceiling
versus covering the flash with a diffuser or softbox.
- Reducing the flash output to create “fill” light.
- Producing a background behind the subject that is decently exposed.
- Controlling light from the flash and ambient light separately.
- Creating wild and cool pictures using the Blurred-Sharp Shot technique.
- Slaving multiple flash units together.
The basics of three-point lighting will be introduced and discussed. You will learn both the advantages of following its rule and the joy of sometimes completely ignoring it.
In addition, the operation of my non-expensive automatic flash, will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated. This type of flash’s greatest advantage, by the way, is its ability to link to the camera and have the camera control most of its settings.
If you own a small portable flash and have a camera you are comfortable operating on Manual, feel free to bring them. Also, please bring both your camera manual and flash manual.
PLEASE NOTE: This course is not designed for learning the operation of your own specific flash. It’s aimed instead at giving you a clear understanding of what can be done with a portable flash to greatly improve your photography. However, if time permits, I will try to answer questions that will help you better understand how to use your own flash, should you own one.
A very complete handout will be given to you when you arrive. It contains lots of information, and will greatly simplify the process of understanding what is being taught in class. In addition, the handout will allow you to spend less time taking notes and more time listening and participating in class. You also will find it quite useful for review after the course has ended.