Flash Speedlight
Flash Photography Techniques – Ambient Light Plus Flash
With careful use of flash, you can make your photo looks natural as though no flash had been used, instate it will enhance the photo further reducing contrast and yet looking very natural.
It has been a dream of all photographers to look for the balance in lighting whenever they photograph a subject and most of the time the quality of available light isn’t always perfect. I will share my experience in making use of flash wisely I am able to enhance my photo rather than by just using the available ambient light.
Before we get started let me clarify a few things with regards to my flash photography techniques that I will be sharing with you.
- Let me define the term flash in this article – it is what some people call “Speedlight” which is the add on flash mounted on the camera hot – shoe type and not either the studio strobe type of flash or the pop–up flash build in the camera..
- The flash photography techniques I’m writing in this article are mostly applicable for “on the field” or “on the move” photography and not studio photography.
- I’m a user of Nikon D-SLR and Speedlight, some example of my photography work shown here are not a standard recipe as each camera system may have a slide different reading hence require some slide adjustment.
Ambient Light plus Flash
I use flash most of the time but using flash does not mean you will spoil the ambient light thus making the photo looking unnatural. Why just use available light alone if your photograph turns out to be horrible. I will show you by understanding some essential techniques, mixing ambient light with flash you can make a better image.
By using the flash I will be able to highlight the shadow areas and avoid shadows under the subject’s eyebrows thus making it a better photo than it would have been without flash. But this does not mean that the image will turn up flat. Make sure you get your reading right.
Let’s try two examples:
1. A wedding couple on a beach and under a tent as the sun is going down:-
- Shoot in manual mode because you need to be in control of your exposure metering for accuracy and consistency.
- Meter for the ambient light, get your exposure right, turn off your flash and take a test shot. With the correct exposure you will get a perfect natural surroundings but the wedding couple will be little under exposed or with some shadows around their faces.
- Now turn on your flash and adjust your flash to TTL-BL mode which balance flash automatically with ambient light (as I’m using Nikon). Adjust your flash compensation. Start from 0 EV compensation and slowly go up until plus 1.7 EV. How much is enough? There is no one correct answer to that as it depends how much flash you need to use as a fill in flash. In this example you surely need a stronger fill-flash to match the sunlit background.
Flash was turn off. I took the reading of the ambient light and took a test shoot. Satisfied with the overall exposure and then on my flash light and took the photograph below with my flash light firring direct and dial up the my flash up to +1.7 EV. See the photographt below for comparison.
2. Portrait of a couple against a wall
- Again always shoot on manual mode.
- Meter correctly for the available light.
- Adjust your flash to TTL-BL mode. As for out door, I usually start from -1.3 EV because Nikon Speedlights on TTL-BL mode balance flash automatically with ambient light and I will always shoot with flash firing straight on. The real idea is to use the flash as a fill-light only and to lift the shadows.
- Notice with a fill flash I manage to eliminate shadows under the couple eyebrows without overexposing the wall and the couples’ clothing’s.
Photograph 2 – Shoot using flash
The above two examples clearly tells you by just adding flash with the correct exposure set by reading the ambient light together with the right amount of flash value to be fired you will have a perfect and balance natural looking image. Who says by using flash it will look unnatural and spoil the ambient light?
I will be following up with an article entitle Flash Photography Techniques – Bouncing the Flash next to share my photography experience with you. By bouncing the flash you are able to soften the light and reduce or eliminating flash shadow.
For more photography techniques and tips visit my photography blog: Langkawi Photographer Blog
To view my photography portfolio visit: AFFENDY.COM
About the Author
Affendy Ahmad is a professional photographer specialized in weddings, corpoarate or private events, special occasions and family holiday photography.
Borned 1963 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he has now based in this beautiful island of Langkawi located northwest of Malaysia.
Affendy has a photo studio located in down town kuah.
|
|
Nikon SPEEDLIGHT Model # SB-28 Flash W/ Carrying Case, Original Box and Manual $92.00 |
|
|
CANON CAMERA SPEEDLIGHT 244T FLASH WITH CASE AND INST. $19.95 |
|
|
Vivitar 44 speedlight Flash with PC synC Cord & AC adapter $9.95 |
|
|
YN465 Flash Speedlight for Canon ETTL 40D 50D 350D 400D $68.99 |
|
|
Nikon SS-7 SOFT Case for SB7E, 8E and10 Speedlight Flashes $11.99 |
|
|
Meking Soft box For SpeedLight Flash 23cm Flash Softbox w/ diffuser E23 $12.99 |
|
|
Flash Speedlight YN465 for Nikon D200 D300 D700 D60 D90 $70.99 |
|
|
YONGNUO YN560S YN560-Sony SONY Hot shoe Flash Speedlight Wireless Light Trigger $74.00 |
|
|
24″ Portable Photo Studio Flash Softbox Speedlight softbox with L-bracket $49.99 |
|
|
Very Clean Nikon Speedlight SB-29 Ring Light/Macro Flash with case and box NICE $199.99 |
|
|
NIB – UNUSED !!! Nikon Speedlight SB-10 Shoe Mount Flash $79.95 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-11 Handle Mount Flash $95.00 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-28 Flash $120.00 |
|
|
BOUNCE FLASH DIFFUSER FOR CANON SPEEDLIGHT 430EX $4.99 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-700 AF Shoe Mount Flash Still In Box!! $299.99 |
|
|
Genuine Nikon Speedlight SB-80DX Flash Unit & Case SLR DSLR Camera Fully Working $114.73 |
|
|
NIKON SB-E SPEEDLIGHT FLASH WITH PROTECTIVE CASE ============================== $2.02 |
|
|
Nikon SB 600 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash – Very Clean!! $212.50 |
|
|
NIKON SB-28D SPEEDLIGHT FLASH FOR NIKON FILM AND DIGITAL – EXCELLENT $79.00 |
|
|
Wireless Flash Trigger PT-04CN for Canon Nikon Sigma Pentax Speedlight flashgun $17.99 |
|
|
Oloong Speedlight Wireless TTL Flash SP-660 II for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus $105.99 |
|
|
Speedlight Pro Kit FlexiBounce for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus and other Flashes $40.00 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-24 Flash – Very Good $39.00 |
|
|
Nikon SS-16 SOFT Case for SB-16 Speedlight Flashes $11.99 |
|
|
Nikon 401s Camera + Lense +Speedlight SB 24 Flash + Case In Excellent Cond L@@K! $134.99 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-15 Flash $24.99 |
|
|
NIKON SB-600 SPEEDLIGHT SB600 DIGITAL REGULAR FLASH i-TTL + WIRELESS USED #a60 $259.95 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-700 AF Shoe Mount Flash [for Nikon DSLR's] $309.99 |
|
|
NIKON SPEEDLIGHT SB-800 SB800 XENON FLASH STROBE TUBE UNIT NEW REPAIR PART $10.80 |
|
|
Canon Speedlight 177A Flash Unit – F0681 $9.99 |
|
|
0.8m TTL Off Camera Flash Sync Cord Cable FC-682/s for Nikon Camera Speedlight $14.50 |
|
|
1.8m TTL Off Camera Flash Sync Cord Cable FC-682/m for Nikon Camera Speedlight $16.50 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-18-Beautiful Compact TTL Flash -Nice! $48.83 |
|
|
Nikon SB-28 SB 28 Speedlight FLASH for F100 FM3A F5 N90s N80 N75 FA FM2n $79.95 |
|
|
FLASH BOUNCE DIFFUSER FOR CANON SPEEDLIGHT 580EX 580 EX $5.05 |
|
|
Nikon SB 800 Speedlight Shoe Mount Flash $255.00 |
|
|
Nikon SB-12 SB 12 Speedlight TTL Flash with manual for F3 HP F3/T F3 $24.95 |
|
|
L Metal Bracket/Holder/Mount for Nikon Speedlight Flash SB910/SB900/SB800/SB700 $11.80 |
|
|
Zoom★I-TTL Speedlight Flash for Nikon D70S/D70/D60/D50★ $196.00 |
|
|
Radar Reflector/Beauty Dish✚Speedlight Flash Bracket for Nikon SB900 SB800 SB700 $134.99 |
|
|
50×70cm Speedlight&Studio Strobe Flash Reflective Umbrella Softbox Diffuser $39.99 |
|
|
24×36″ Flash Reflective Umbrella Softbox Diffuser④Nikon Speedlight&Studio Strobe $39.99 |
|
|
32″Octagonal Speedlight&Studio Strobe Flash Reflective Umbrella Softbox Diffuser $39.99 |
|
|
YN467 E-TTL Flash Speedlight for Canon 450D/Xsi 400D/Xti 550D/T2i 500D/T1i $75.01 |
|
|
Nikon SB-9 Speedlight Flash $7.99 |
|
|
Omni-Bounce Flash Diffuser Nikon Speedlight SB-600 NEW $9.95 |
|
|
Flash Speedlight YN465 for Nikon D200 D300 D700 $69.99 |
|
|
Flash Speedlight YN465 for Canon XS T1i Xsi XTi XT $69.99 |
|
|
E23 Flash SpeedLight Softbox For Canon 580EX 550EX 430EX 430EXII ALL CANON $27.50 |
|
|
NIKON SB-600 SPEEDLIGHT SB600 DIGITAL REGULAR FLASH i-TTL + WIRELESS USED #a62 $264.95 |
|
|
PT-04 NE Flash Trigger for Canon Nikon speedlight $18.33 |
|
|
Flash Speedlight YN467 for Canon 400D 500D 1000D Xsi XT $76.00 |
|
|
Meking Softbox For SpeedLight/Speedlite/Flash 60cm / 24″ Flash Softbox E6060 $42.00 |
|
|
Nikon SB-20 Speedlight Flash- very good work condition $42.00 |
|
|
YN-560 GN58 Flash Speedlight For NIKON D90 D300 D700 D3 $75.99 |
|
|
Flash Bounce for Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Stofen Omni $13.99 |
|
|
YN-560 Flash Speedlight For Canon1DS/5D/5DII/7D/10D/20 $84.99 |
|
|
NIKON SB-600 SPEEDLIGHT SB600 DIGITAL REGULAR FLASH i-TTL + WIRELESS USED #a61 $259.95 |
|
|
TTL YN-467 Flash Speedlight For D700 D300 D5000 D90 D80 $79.98 |
|
|
ezValue Nikon SB-910 SB910 Shoe Mount Speedlight Flash For D7000 D800 D3x D4 $475.00 |
|
|
YONGNUO YN-560 II Flash Speedlight f. Nikon D3s D3x D3 D700 D300s D300 D200 D100 $99.99 |
|
|
*USA Fast* YN-560 II Flash Speedlight for Canon 1000D /T1i 450D/Xsi 400D/Xti $99.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN560 II Flash Speedlight with LCD Screen For Canon EOS 5D Mark II $99.98 |
|
|
Camera Flash Speedlight Upgrad YN560-II LCD screen for Nikon D3100 D3000 D60 D40 $99.98 |
|
|
NEW Yongnuo YN-560 II LCD Flash Speedlight for Canon SLR 5D II 7D 50D 60D 450D $99.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN560 II Flash Speedlight LCD Screen For Canon 5D Mark II 7D 600D $99.98 |
|
|
Upgraded Flash Speedlite Speedlight YN-560 II for Canon 450D 400D 350D 300D 60D $99.98 |
|
|
New YONGNUO Speedlight YN560 II flash for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Panasonic $99.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN560 II Flash Speedlight LCD Screen For Nikon D90 D3100 YN-560 upgrade $99.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo Upgraded Flash Speedlight YN-560 II for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus $99.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN560-II Flash Speedlight LCD Screen For Canon 5D 7D 10D YN-560 upgrade $99.98 |
|
|
YongNuo Speedlight Flash TTL YN-468II Shoe Mount Flash for Canon 60D 50D 40D 30D $93.98 |
|
|
YN468-II ETTL Flash Speedlight for Canon 450D 500D 550D 600D DSLR Camera $93.98 |
|
|
YONGNUO E-TTL Flash Speedlight YN-468II for Canon 1100D 600D 550D 450D 400D 350D $93.98 |
|
|
YONGNUO YN-468 II E-TTL Flash Speedlight for Canon 600D 550D T3i T2i T1i Xsi $93.98 |
|
|
NEW YN-468 II Flash Speedlight for Canon 1100D 1000D 600D 550D 500D 450D 400D $93.98 |
|
|
Pro YONGNUO YN-468II Flash Speedlight Speedlite for Canon Ship from US Stock $93.98 |
|
|
Brand New YONGNUO YN-468II Flash Speedlight for Canon 60D 50D 40D 30D 10D $93.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN468-II TTL ETTL Flash Speedlight For Canon EOS 600D 500D 550D Camera $93.98 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN-468 II YN-468II ETTL Flash Speedlight for Canon 450D 400D 350D 300D $93.98 |
|
|
YONGNUO YN-468II Flash Speedlite Speedlight for Canon 450D 500D 550D 600D 1000D $93.98 |
|
|
YN465 Flash Speedlight for Nikon i TTL iTTL D7000 D3100 $68.99 |
|
|
Genuine Nikon SB-910 Speedlight Flash *New In Box* SB910 D7000 D5100 D3100 D4 $502.47 |
|
|
Genuine Nikon SB-910 Speedlight Flash *New In Box* SB910 D7000 D5100 D3100 D4 $517.00 |
|
|
Softbox For SpeedLight Flash 50cm / 20″ Flash Softbox $44.99 |
|
|
Softbox For SpeedLight Flash 40cm / 16″ Flash Softbox $42.50 |
|
|
Softbox For SpeedLight Flash 60cm / 24″ Flash Softbox $49.99 |
|
|
Godox Speedlight Flash Unit TT560 For DSLR Cameras $92.33 |
|
|
Softbox For SpeedLight Flash 60cm / 24″ Flash Softbox $17.90 |
|
|
GODOX 120Watt Pro Photography Photo Studio Strobe Photo Flash Speed Light Lamp $66.99 |
|
|
Nikon Speedlight SB-E Shoe Mount Flash $9.95 |
|
|
Nikon SC-29 TTL Off-Camera Speedlight Flash Cord for Digital SLR – BRAND NEW USA $79.95 |
|
|
Nikon SC-29 TTL Remote Off-Camera Speedlight Flash Cord – BRAND NEW USA $82.95 |
|
|
Nikon SC-29 TTL Remote Off-Camera Speedlight Flash Cord – BRAND NEW USA $109.95 |
|
|
Nikon SC-29 TTL Remote Off-Camera Speedlight Flash Cord – BRAND NEW USA $104.95 |
|
|
Meking Soft box For SpeedLight Flash 23cm Flash Softbox w/ diffuser E23 $12.99 |
|
|
Vintage Nikon SB-18 Speedlight Flash $40.80 |
|
|
Canon Speedlight 155A Flash (#K) $24.95 |
|
|
Nikon SB28 Speedlight Flash w/ Case & Box $129.99 |
|
|
Flash Bounce Diffuser Cap fits Nikon Speedlight SB-600 $5.99 |
|
|
Nikon School Presents How To Get The Most From Your Nikon SB-24 Speedlight + set of flash cards Hour long video with accompanying set of flash cards for Nikon SB-24 Speedlight. Many tips and techniques can be adapted to other brands and types of flash equipment…. |
|
|
Mako 100 Lumen LED 1-Inch Diameter Flashlight $87.20 Mako Group 100 Lumen LED Tactical Speedlight, Black… |
|
|
FAB DEFENSE Israeli MIlitary Speedlight 1 Tactical Rifle Flashlight $99.99 Made in Israel by Fab Defense – www.fab-defense.com, Official Supplier of the Israeli MIlitary (official Product page: http://www.fab-defense.com/en/category-flashlights-and-laser-mounts/id-123/1-inch-tactical-flash-light.html) Description: 1 inch diameter;Aerospace aluminum casing;Hard anodized – mil spec. |
|
|
Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX II/430EX II $19.98 This DVD uses the same material as our original 580 EX/430 EX DVD. Demonstrations of Speedlite operations have been updated to show the 580 EX II/430 EX II models. Your new EX II Speedlite from Canon can be the most powerful accessory in your camera bag! Understanding how the Speedlite’s controls work is important, and this DVD takes you through its operations, step by step. Your host, Tim Mantoa… |
|
|
Introduction to the Nikon D300/D700, Vol. 2: Advanced Topics $29.99 REGION FREE DVD developed for new to intermediate photographers buying their first DSLR cameraCreates a solid understanding of the camera’s features and controls and helps to unleash its potentialSample subjects are: shutter priority aperture priority/depth of field focus alternatives metering and bracketing and many more. Topics are arranged in chapters so users can move at their own pace and ret… |
|
|
Introduction to the Canon 5D Mark II/50D, Vol. 2: Advanced Topics $29.99 Take great pictures with your Canon 5D Mark II or 50D Push your creativity to the limits; create photographic images that up until now have existed only in your imagination This guide takes you through Canon’s advanced features, and explains what they are, how they work, and how they can perform in real-world situations. Custom Functions: The 5D and the 50D are endlessly configurable. We go into d… |
|
|
Imedion AA 2400mAh NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 4-Pack $11.89 Powerex’ new IMEDION line of NiMH rechargeable AA batteries feature a unique extremely low discharge design. Unlike ordinary NiMH rechargeables, which will loose a significant amount of their charge within just weeks, the unique chemistry of Powerex’ IMEDION batteries allows them to retain up to 85% of their charge after a whole year of storage. Powerex rechargeble AA batteries are a favorite amon… |
|
|
Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack for Speedlite 420EZ/540EZ/550EX/580EX $219.99 Developed with working professional photographers in mind, the new external compact battery pack CP?E3 improves flash recycle times significantly and increases to approximately 432 the number of firings before batteries need to be replaced. The pack takes optional rapid-change magazines that can be loaded with 8 AA-size batteries prior to a shoot to ensure fast, smooth transitions from one battery… |
|
|
Nikon SJ-1 Color Gel Flash Filter Set + Batteries + Cleaning Kit for Nikon SB-80DX, SB-600 & SB-800 Speedlights $33.95 Kit includes: ♦ 1) Nikon SJ-1 Color Gel Flash Filter Set ♦ 2) Precision Design 4 NiMH Batteries with Rapid Charger ♦ 3) Precision Design Deluxe 6-Piece Lens & Digital SLR Camera Cleaning Kit The Nikon SJ-1 gives you total creative control over color in your flash shots. Outdoor fill-flash portraits with a breath-taking sunset background almost always have a blue cast and look u… |
|
|
GGS Optical Glass LCD Screen Protector for Nikon Speedlight SB-900 Flash $9.95 GGS LCD screen protector is using ultra thin optical glass and special processing, it is high transparency, anti-scrape, anti-bump, anti-aging and easy to install. It creatively uses the raw material of ultrathin optical glass and special anticrack processing which completely breaks through the design concept of the previous products. And it is more integrated with six layers’ protection as well… |
