Flash Photography Ron Zabel June 27, 2018 Grimsby Photo Group
My First Camera Flash
Agenda Flash definition Scope of Presentation Why Use Flashes? Flash Picture Exposure Elements Methods of Firing Flashes Challenges with Flashes on Cameras Improving Flash Illumination Suggestions for Built-in flashes Comparison of Photos with Varied Flash Lighting Summary Points Show & Tell
Wikipedia defines Flash A flash is a device used in photography to help illuminate a scene by: flash of artificial light, 1/1000 to 1/200 of a second, colour temperature about 5500 K Flash units are commonly built directly into a camera.
Scope of Presentation Discussion of Flashes typically used on DSLRs Built-in (pop-up) External Flash Units (on or off-camera) Not discussed today Smartphone flashes Studio Flash Strobe lights
Why use Flashes? There is not enough available light for desired exposure or effect Minimal indoor lighting or natural light Often after dark - events / social gatherings Subjects need to be relatively close; Turn off your flash at a huge venue (concert, stadium sports)
Why use Flashes? To control the light for desired image Amount Direction(s) Coverage It s controllable, predictable and therefore repeatable
Why use Flashes? To Add Fill Light Enough ambient light, but key aspects of subject are in shadow Shade impacts subject poorly Sun is behind subject
Why use Flashes? To Stop Action Flash creates a very fast shutter speed for the subject being lit No Flash With Flash To Create Special Effects Abstract Time exposure(s) - fire the flash multiple times Hans Voorberg
Flash Picture Exposure Elements Flash pictures include two exposures, occurring at the same time: 1. Subject (by flash illumination) 2. Background (by the ambient light) Both exposures share: ISO (sensor sensitivity) Aperture (lens opening)
No Flash vs. Flash (50 mm - auto-adjusted in Lightroom) Hand-held Manual settings Closed down aperture for darker background (ambient lighting) Two Flashes (one above, one below)
Flash Picture Exposure Elements Two Exposure Times to consider: Subject: Flash Speed: 1.2 ms or shorter (or 1/800 sec or faster) Lower power levels are shorter (faster) flashes Background: Camera shutter speed Must not exceed flash sync speed of your camera, ~1/200 sec [ due to shutter limitations ] Exception: High Speed Sync feature on flash unit
Flash Picture Exposure Elements Flash Power (How much light on Subject?) Flash Power setting (if equipped) from 1/1 to 1/128 (on my unit) Spread of the Flash lighting Many OEM Flashes zoom to match lens focal length Modifiers (more later) Distance of flash from subject - (Guide Number) Double the distance gives 1/4 of the light intensity to
Controlling Flash Picture Exposure - TTL Automatic / TTL: Though The Lens Flash power will be automatically adjusted to get proper exposure on subject based upon camera / flash settings. Technology / terminology varies slightly with camera, learn / practice with yours Use when there s no time to think about your light Subjects are moving Varying backgrounds / distances
Controlling Flash Picture Exposure - TTL Things you still control (flash will adjust power accordingly) : Camera exposure mode; usually Aperture-Preferred or Manual Spread of the Flash lighting - flash zoom - modifiers ISO Aperture ( depth of field ) Camera Shutter Speed - be careful if in Aperture-Preferred (remember camera sync speed): Fine-tune using Flash Exposure Compensation (generally needs to be reduced)
Controlling Flash Picture Exposure - Manual Manual, if: TTL control features not available on flash Using multiple flash units (different brands) that don t communicate There s enough time to think about your light Helpful Aids: Flash Meter Flash Guide Number Chart (look up aperture for selected ISO and subject distance ) Trial and error - Shoot and adjust
Controlling Flash Picture Exposure - Manual Set everything: Flash unit power setting Spread of the Flash lighting - flash zoom setting what modifiers are being used? ISO Aperture ( depth of field ) Camera Shutter Speed (within camera sync speed - background exposure)
Methods of Firing Flashes Manual - open the shutter (Bulb) and fire the flash pilot button (maybe multiple times) Internal control (built-in flash triggered by shutter signal) Hot Shoe signal - electronic contacts on flash foot match those on camera hot shoe PC Sync cord (old school) from camera to flash
Methods of Firing Flashes Flash Triggers - wireless ( radio ) communication Can trigger camera shutter as well Professional units (e.g. Pocket Wizard) can control the flash unit(s) settings remotely Enable TTL operation
Methods of Firing Flashes Direct wireless communication between camera and flash unit(s). Master flash triggers the slave unit(s). Optical impulse Need line of sight between all devices in use & match channels Built-in flash can be the master that triggers off camera flash unit(s) Radio signals
Challenges with Flashes on Camera Flashes mounted on a camera (or built-in) pointed directly at subject produce a sharp highly directional harsh light; It is a small light source. Subjects seem flattened, poor shadows, depth is washed out. Deer in headlights look, shiny skin Uneven lighting across large width or great variety of distances of subjects from flash (e.g. large groups) Good chance of red-eye on your subjects.
Remember this one thing Avoid shooting with a flash on the camera pointed directly at the subject, un-diffused. The results will generally be disappointing
At very least Diffuse (spread out) the light
Improving Flash Illumination Spread out the Light; Change the direction it comes from Flash-mounted diffusers Bounce Flash Off Camera Flash Diffuse the light with a large modifier; typically off camera umbrellas, soft boxes, large diffuser screens
Improving Flash Illumination Flash-mounted diffusers DIY Paper / Cloth with a rubber band/tape Over flash diffusers colour gels too, match ambient
Improving Flash Illumination Flash-mounted diffusers continued Plastic vessel diffuser e.g. Gary Fong Options for built-in flashes as well
Improving Flash Illumination Bounce Flash Use Ceiling or Walls as diffuser Colour of bounce surface will impact your image - choose white Can shoot backwards - lots of power needed Hand shield any direct light from subject For Built-In, use back of a business card to re-direct the flash
Improving Flash Illumination Use Flash Unit(s) off Camera Direction adds more interesting shadows, better depth in your images Can still be harsh in nature without a modifier Can add additional flash units to fill-in some of the shadows, or control a variety of light intensities
Improving Flash Illumination Large flash modifiers Diffuse the light, making the light source effectively bigger, producing a softer lighting impact Light is well spread out maybe too much - shield light from hitting background Get it close to the subject without being in frame Can be very sophisticated set-up. OR a white sheet held in front of a flash My flash-modifying gear from Amazon - fine for amateur
Improving Flash Illumination Umbrellas Reflector Diffuser (shoot-through) Soft-box Combination Reflector / Diffuser Some have a grid to confine the spread pattern of diffused light
Improving Flash Illumination Another Option: Focus the flash lighting Snoot Snoot with grid (straws) Special effects, abstract imagery
Catchlight Adds sparkle to eyes Reflects image of your light source (its shape) Large light source, large catchlight Make sure it is always in both eyes A single catchlight makes the other eye look dead
Suggestions for Built-In TTL (Automatic) - Use Flash Compensation to fine-tune power Use a diffuser with any on-camera flash Try to bounce the flash off ceiling with a reflective surface. back of a business card
Suggestions for Built-In YouTube has many ideas for Do-It-Yourself modifiers I avoid use of built-in flash unless I do not have my flash units with me and I really need some supplemental light
Comparison of Photos with Varied Flash Lighting Built-in Flash: 1. Bare, 2. Diffusion sock 3. Bounced up off white paper Separate Flash Unit ON Camera: 4. Bare, 5. Diffusion cloth, 6. Bounced light off white ceiling Separate Flash Unit(s) OFF Camera: 7. Bare, 8. Single umbrella 9. Two Umbrellas
Comparison of Photos with Varied Flash Lighting Model is my son (Thanks Kevin!) Shot against brown background with 50 mm f1.8 Canon (nifty-fifty) Shots Auto-Corrected in Lightroom, manually adjusted for facial exposure Take notice of catchlight in eye; gives clues to the light source/method
Built-In - bare Shiny skin Sharp shadows cast on background Flattened look Single small catchlight
Built-In - diffuser Softer skin Not as-sharp shadows cast on background More depth in face Single small catchlight
Built-In - Bounce off ceiling Softer skin No shadows cast on background Shadow under eyebrows and chin (bounce from side might be better, or add reflector from below) Good depth in face Larger rectangular catchlight
Separate Flash on Camera - bare Shiny skin, better than built-in Still sharp shadows cast on background Flattened look, but better than built-in Single small catchlight
Separate Flash on Camera - cloth diffuser Softer skin Not as-sharp shadows cast on background More depth in face Single small catchlight
Separate Flash on Camera - Bounce off ceiling Softer skin No shadows cast on background Shadow under eyebrows and chin (bounce from side might be better) Good depth in face Larger rectangular catchlight & small point directly from flash (should have shielded with my hand)
Separate Flash off Camera - bare Very little light hitting background Lots of depth, emphasizes features Single small catchlight Needs angle from flash to be closer to camera position or add some fill light from right
Separate Flash off Camera - - One Umbrella Softer skin No shadows cast on background More depth in face Single larger round catchlight
Two Flashes off Camera - Each in an Umbrella Softer skin No shadows cast on background Filled in facial shadows on right side, needed a bit more power Good depth in face Double larger round catchlights, perhaps bring umbrella on right side much higher
Summary Points Avoid shooting with a flash on the camera pointed directly at the subject un-diffused. (unflattering, red-eye) Remember to consider your exposure for both subject and background in flash photography Best results involve getting the light source off the camera shooting line, and by diffusing the flash lighting with a modifier If you only have built-in flash, find an easy method to diffuse or bounce the light, and try to use it always. There s more
Summary Points If your camera can handle it, think about getting a separate flash unit (Off camera if possible) and keep that built-in flash tucked away. Lots of free information online (e.g. Youtube) on all of these concepts You don t need professional equipment for great flash results Learn the flash controls of your camera and your flash equipment
Show and Tell Yongnuo RF603-C triggers Flash Mounted Diffuser with Gel (Canon 380EX) Flash Mounted Cloth Diffuser (Canon 580EX) Umbrella (as reflector on stand) (Yongnuo YN460) Umbrella (as diffuser with shield on stand) Minolta 320X Soft box (on stand ) Blacks C-22 Diffuser panel