Flash Photography

Mike Seeman, mikeseeman.com/photo

WEEGEE: The Critic

Without flash

With flash

Why use flash?

• Need more light

• Fill shadows

• Make your own (better) light

Exposure with flash

• Flash exposure:– Flash power– Aperture– ISO

• Ambient Exposure:– Shutter Speed– Aperture– ISO

20th century flash exposure

• Guide numbers:

• Example: SB-800 has a GN of 125’ at ISO 100

• Add additional factors for filters, bounce, etc.

F-stop = Guide number

Distance to subject

5 ft 10 ft 20 ft 40 ft

f/25 f/13 f/6.3 f/3.2

21st century flash exposure

• Just let the camera do it!– TTL metering (preflashes)– Auto-aperture– Flash compensation

• Wireless sync– Basic sync (radio: PocketWizards)– Wireless TTL (Nikon CLS/iTTL, Canon …)

Ambient Light

On-Camera Flash

Bounce Flash

Umbrella (left)

Umbrella w/ fill

Filters & Modifiers

Background: Wide Zoom

Background: Tele Zoom

Backlight

Too much lens flare!

Solution: Gobo

Daylight fill

Setting up a shot…

Slow Sync & Motion

Front Sync Rear Sync

to learn more…

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