Basic Flash Photography Part 1

Basic Flash Pt1 from Cory Shannon on Vimeo.

      Photography means drawing or painting with light. Therefore, what one can take from this is that photography needs light. But what do we do when the light is beautiful but not cooperating? We add our own that we can control. Yes its that little bulb on the camera called the flash. Fill flash and slow synch flash are the two most misunderstood aspects of flash photography. Misunderstood meaning almost never used by beginners except in auto modes when the camera tells us they are needed. Any camera with a flash can use these techniques and create amazing images with just the on camera flash and some know how.

 This image was taken at 7:39 pm. The sun was far enough below the horizon that it needed a 4 second shutter speed. Kelly here was illuminated by a SB-600 zoomed to 50mm. The aperture was set to f/4 and the lens set wide at 18mm.

Here's a little assignment, next time you are at the beach or in the mountains with the sun rising or setting, try these techniques for yourself. Then try them in other settings such as indoors.



More on the way!