Off-camera Flash - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Off-camera Flash

UsingSlide2

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 gotSlide3

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

,

1/125

th

Aim to ensure the ambient light has no effectSlide4

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 regularlySlide5

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 remotelySlide6

On Camera flash - Direct

PROs

Easy

CONs

Not interesting

Portrait format gives

odd

shadows

Small “hard” light

source

Side shadows in portrait formatNo control over backgroundSlide7

On Camera flash – Ceiling bounce

PROs

Less harsh shadows

Looks natural

Shows the “shape” of the subject

CONs

Can have dark shadows

Needs a ceilingSlide8

On Camera flash – back wall bounce

PROs

Soft light

Easy

CONs

Little control over background lighting

Needs a wallSlide9

On Camera flash – side wall bounce

PROs

Soft light

Looks really natural

Easy

Shows the “shape” of the subject

CONs

Needs a wallSlide10

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 shadowsSlide11

Direct flash – from the side 2

Feather the light away from the background.

Allows control of light placement and directionSlide12

Rembrant

lighting

45o Across

450 Up

PROs

Great starting point

Allows you to feather light onto the backgroundSlide13

Rembrant

lighting with reflector

PROs

Balances light and shadow

Only needs 1 light

CONs

Needs a reflector and something/someone to hold itSlide14

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 Slide15

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 Slide16

Move your light

Move the light to different heights/position for different effects.Slide17

Light from below – With Care!Slide18

Using 2 lights – Equal power

PROs

Gives softer even lighting

Great for record shots

Works for large groups

CONs

Not the most exciting lookSlide19

Using 2 lights – Asymetical

PROs

Looks natural

Flattering light

CONs

Does require setting up

You need to manage the ratiosSlide20

Keylight

and

Hairlight

PROs

Adds separation between subject and background

Adds a highlightSlide21

Keylight

,

Hairlight

and Reflector

Also known as the classic 3 light portraitSlide22

Lighting th

e background

PROs

Adds separation between subject and background

CONs

Needs an extra light

Needs space between subject and backgroundSlide23

Lighting th

e background 2

Turn the power up to make a grey background white

Add a filter for a coloured backgroundSlide24

Special effects…

Aim a light into the air behind the subject

Fill air with canned smoke

Add fun lighting on the subject