Flash

1
Flash

• And how it relates to you!

Part 1 Basics 7 Slides Part 2 Advanced Uses
X Slides
2
First of all

• What is the point of using a flash?
• Duh! To add light!
• Technically, why would you want to add light?
• To freeze motion
• To bring out colors
• To increase your DOF
• To decrease your ISO
• Stylistically though why would you add light

3
The Flash, Layout
Swivel Hinge
Flash Head
Display
Mode
On/Off
Focus Assist
Lock
Test button
4
The Flash, Layout

• Nikon SB-800
• Find
• Swivel Hinge
• Display
• On/Off
• Mode
• Test button
• Locking Mechanism

5
The Flash, Layout
Bouncing Tool
Diffuser
6
Buttons

• Test Button
• Press multiple times to test flash recycle rate.
  If not fast, replace batteries.
• Modes
• Manual. I advise not using this on assignment.
• TTL. I do advise using this. Through the Lens.
• Repeat. It would be awesome if you used this.

7
Orienting the Flash Head

• The flash is all about controlling light. A very
  important part of this is adjusting the flash
  head.
• You simply press the button on the side of it and
  then adjust. It goes 180 in either direction.
• General rules
• Point UP when the subject is close (dlt10).
• Point AT the subject whenever they are farther
  away (dgt10ft).

8
Basic Troubleshooting

• Clean Contacts!
• Lens Shadows
• Flash Exposure Compensation
• Check batteries! (How?)

9
Advanced uses of Flash

• Bouncing
• Highlighting Subjects
• Macrophotography
• Stroboscopy
• Wireless strobes
• High Speed Sync (FP Mode)
• High Speed Photography
• CREATIVITY

10
Some uses of Flash, Bouncing

• Direct flash often looks just plain bad.
• That is why you use the bouncing tool! It
  reflects a small amount of less concentrated
  light forward.
• You can walls like the bouncer too! And ceilings
  as well!
• This is one way to diffuse the light. But you can
  alternatively use a diffuser.
• This scatters the light much like a wall or does.

11
Some uses of Flash, Highlighting Subjects

• Generally everything in a scene has pretty much
  equal light. You can expose for midtones and have
  a nice photo.
• But if you want to make something stand out, why
  not highlight it with light?

12
Some uses of Flash, Macrophotography

• Theory
• When you are photographing a room you can get a
  sizable percent of the ambient light into the
  frame.
• But if you are focusing on a bug or something you
  only get a fraction of a percent of the ambient
  light.
• This leads to wider apertures which leads to
  lower DOF.
• You can also overexpose a white background to
  bring out your subject even more.

13
Some uses of Flash, Stroboscopy

• Stroboscopy is where you flash multiple times in
  a single photo.
• This can be done because flash duration can
  essentially freeze something each time it goes
  off.
• Motion analysis
• Best done with a dark background that is far away
  so that only the object you are studying is
  exposed for.

14
Some uses of Flash, Wireless strobes

• Canon has wireless triggers built into the flash.
  
• Nikon senses the light of a flash and goes off at
  almost the same time.
• Pocket Wizards can let you use the Nikons as true
  wireless.
• Opens up new lighting ideas!
• Can also use off-camera cable.

15
Some uses of Flash, High Speed Sync (FP Mode)

• Flashes normally constrained to 1/250th second.
  You cant synchronize the shutter curtains higher
  than that. But, FP mode pulsates flash at 50khz
  or so at greatly reduced output levels. This lets
  you match whatever shutter speed you want to use.
  
• In other words, this lets you use flash with WIDE
  APERTURES! Or OUTSIDE!

16
Some uses of Flash, High Speed Photography

• Flash duration can be VERY quick. But, we cannot
  synchronize that speed with the camera shutter
  very well. (only up to 1/25th s)
• But, in a dark room you can leave the shutter
  open then trigger the flash when you need the
  light!
• High speed photos are taken in the dark often
  with IR or sound triggers.

17
Some uses of Flash, CREATIVITY!

• Ed Zawadzki, www.f1point0.com/
• Frans Lanting, www.lanting.com/
• Pete Jaques, www.flickr.com/photos/petejaques/
• Strobist Top photos! http//www.flickr.com/photos/
  31454864_at_N00/favorites/