Thoughts on Flash Photography
Derek Smith • 18 January 2023
White Angel
Photo By: Derek Smith
Clock 1
Photo By: Derek Smith
Clock 2
Photo By: Derek Smith
Bounce Card
Photo By: Derek Smith
We all know that light is an essential element of a photograph, and when light levels are low, adding flash lighting can be an aid to a successful image, permitting higher shutter speeds, and lower ISO settings.
Managing light from flash can at times be problematic, photographers can very well struggle with camera settings, and managing the power output of the flash unit.
In a studio environment where a subject is relatively static, an off-camera flash unit in a large soft box, mounted on a stand, can be positioned above, and slightly in front of the subject, the soft box creates a soft wraparound light effect. The first task is to set the camera to shoot in “Manual”, choose the lowest ISO setting (usually 100, 160, or 200 depending on camera). Then adjust the aperture to a mid-range value, personally I find that f/8 suits my camera and lenses. The final camera step is to adjust the shutter speed to remove any ambient light in the room, a test shot taken in this way should show a black screen, the lighting will be supplied by the flash unit only. Once the camera is set to the optimum settings, DO NOT adjust anything on the camera, all that remains is to switch the flash unit on, and adjust the power output until the test shots give the correct exposure, I suggest starting at perhaps 1/8 power, then adjust the power up or down until the exposure looks correct on the test shots. The image of the model Angel demonstrates what can be achieved.
In a more dynamic photographic environment such as a wedding, a social event, party, or a family gathering in a house, where the subject(s) can be moving around a flash unit on a stand is simply not a practical solution. On-camera flash can be your saviour in this situation but can be more difficult to control the light from the flash, the biggest pitfall is the unflattering “deer in the headlights” lighting effect where the power of the uncontrolled flash gives a very defined overexposed image.
As an example, look at these two images of a clock, both are taken at the same camera settings, shutter speed 1/180 (camera flash sync speed for the Fuji X-T20), ISO f/2, and ISO 200, and with the flash set for TTL, the first very obviously shows evidence of the use of flash with blown-out highlights, the second image has more controlled lighting. What then has changed? The camera settings are exactly the same, the distance from the subject remains the same, and I used the same Fuji XF 35mm prime lens in both instances, the difference then is that instead of pointing the flash head directly at the subject, I have swiveled the speedlight flash head around to point up at the ceiling, the light bounces off the white painted ceiling and gives that softer light on the clock. This technique of bouncing the light, can also work by swiveling the speedlight head to a nearby wall, or any reflective surface. One drawback of this method is that when photographing a person, the eyes may look dark, if this is the case pop out the bounce card on the speedlight flash head which just adds a little light into the eyes to create a catchlight.
Flash lighting can also be used in daylight to photograph a person in bright sunshine against a bright sky, but this requires a different technique, known as High Speed Sync (HSS). Assume for a moment that you would like to take a portrait at an aperture at f/1.8, for subject isolation, and a blurred background, setting the exposure for the ambient light of the sky leaves the subject looking underexposed, now if you have a camera, and flash unit compatible for using HSS, the shutter speed can be raised from the standard flash sync speed (varies by camera body / manufacturer 1/60 – 1/250) to something like 1/4000, maintaining the ambient light of the sky, with the flash correctly lighting your subject, a couple of test shots will need to be taken to assess how much flash power is needed to correctly expose the subject.
Tips on buying a hot shoe mounted flash speedlight – ensure the light is compatible for your camera make / model, a swivel head provides more options, as does a “bounce card”, and some cheaper models may not have the option of High Speed Sync.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All Last week at the club Derek Smith kindly organised a studio night for us all, it was a very successful evening with Derek providing all the lighting, backdrops, and booking the model. Thank you, Derek, for all your hard work organising the evening. This week, Wednesday 30th April, we are holding a local PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Events" and "Open", you have until midnight tonight to get your entries to Harry. The local is always judged by members and this week you have yours truly judging. The following week it is that time of year already when we hold our AGM and presentation night. If any members have trophies to hand in, this week please. The week after the AGM it is the first monthly PDI competition of our new competition year, Seasons and Open, you can begin sorting out your entries for that one as well now and send them to Harry after this Monday to avoid confusion. Regards Graham
Our “Studio Night” was held last night, this is an annual event, with a model being on hand for members to practice portrait, and fashion photography. This year, I wanted to try something a little different, with two sets positioning a model at one end of the room for the fashion shoot, and another set for portraits at the opposite end of the room. I tried booking a male model, and a female model for the shoot with a casting call on my usual modelling site, initially gaining interest from one male model, but unfortunately, he had to drop out. Re-advertising the shoot, yielded a female model from Rugby, and a male model from London. Where were all the Lincolnshire models? I pulled up a list of Lincolnshire models, and directly messaged several, without any response, until just 3 days before the event a female model under the name of Dahlia_Void (Megan) from Grimsby, responded and the “Studio Night” was on. Our very own talented Paul Rudd agreed to model for us, and both models did a superb job. I believe that the “Studio Night” was a success, with members seemingly able to take some excellent images of both models. Importantly, there didn’t seem to be a lot of waiting around for members to take their shots, and the models appeared relaxed. Megan was a little star, being very patient while we pointed cameras at her.
As a photographer, do you have a “style”? That’s a question that I’ve struggled with over many years. However, now that I think over what it is that makes me a photographer, I realise that being out with my camera brings me a lot of satisfaction, and none more so than working with models. My “style” if you can call it that, is encapsulated in what I call my “walkie / talkie” location shoot, which I’ve embraced for the last six years. I arrange to meet up with a model, male or female in a location, it may be a town, city, nature reserve, or a park. We walk around the location, chatting away until we find a suitable spot for a photo, I take a couple of photos then move on to the next location. The idea of this type of shoot is not to create the “picture perfect” portrait, but rather to capture a moment, some part of the model’s character. Travelling light, one camera, one lens, no reflectors, no lighting, just natural light, and a natural background. This “style” is perhaps more akin to street photography, but with a dedicated model. Here’s a sample of some of my favourite images from my “style” of photography.
Good Morning All We have just come back from a week in Northumberland, staying at Newbiggin by the sea. I took plenty of coastal photographs including many of the area's wildlife. Last week while I was away it was the monthly print competition. There is a blog on the website as well as all the results on the competition page. I really just need to congratulate Dave Turner who won both the subject and Open competition. I am not sure if Wednesday night's studio evening is going ahead yet but will let you know. Entries for the local competition, Local Events and Open need to be sent to Harry by midnight next Sunday. We judge this competition in house; I am happy to judge one subject if anyone else would like to judge the other subject? Regards Graham
We held a print competition at our meeting last night with the categories of "Curves" and "Open". Our judge for the evening was the very competent, and accomplished Diane Seddon. Diane gave excellent critique of the prints, and one of the main themes that Diane highlighted was the presentation of the prints, siting print sizes, mount sizes, mount colours, and more thoughtful cropping of images selected for printing. Definitely food for thought, and addressing those issues will improve members points scoring in future competitions. All the prints submitted into this competition were of a very high standard, however, it was Dave Turner who swept the board with 1st, and 2nd placing in the "Open" category, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placing in the "Curves" category, it was a well deserved placing with some stunning prints. The Competition page of our website has been updated with the full results. Thanks to Diane Seddon for judging the competition, and Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Dave Turner, and I attended the LPA Fosters Challenge at Nettleham. The judge for the competition was Sue Wilson from Clay Cross. Axholme took first place with 19 points, Grimsby 2nd, and Cleethorpes 3rd. Louth was awarded 13 points, consisting of: Damselflies Mating – Graham Harrison 4pt Saltwick Bay – Tony Gaskins 4pt The Thinker – Keith Rossington 3pt Muted Swan – Harry Kerman 1pt Pier Number 9 – Dave Turner 1pt It was an interesting competition with some amazing images, a big thank you to Dave Turner for selecting the prints and submitting our entry into the competition.
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Chris Birchmore took us back in time with old photographs and a very interesting talk on one of Louth's old shops Platts stores. Platts stayed traditional for many years but as like most of the old shops eventually disappeared along with it's upside down sign. There is a blog on our website as well to look at. This week, Wednesday 16th April, we will hold our Print competition with the categories of "Curves" and "Open" to be judged by Diane Seddon of Cleethorpes. Harry is also now taking entries for the local PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Events" and "Open". Regards Graham
Our member Chris Birchmore gave an illustrated talk last night titled "The Shopkeeper and his Assistant". Chris related details of his family origins, and family history in Louth, in particular his connection with Platts Provision Store in Eastgate. It was a very interesting talk which evoked many memories with those members who had themselves been raised in Louth. Many thanks Chris, the preparation, and talk was excellent.
Good Morning All With all this warm weather some insects are out and about to photograph, I took this photograph in our garden with a Sigma 105mm lens to get close in on the bee. It is another month now, so you need to think about your "Prime Time" project, if you are taking part. Last week at the club Brian McCarthy FRPS showed us his personal journey in photography, Brian takes most of his photographs in his shed building models with lighting and creating photographs that most of us would never think of. This week, Wednesday 9th April, our member Chris Birchmore who will be presenting a historical talk entitled "The Shopkeeper and His Assistant" specifically talking about a relatives memories of working for Mr. Platt the Shopkeeper. For those who have prints for the next competition, with the categories of "Curves and Open", you need to send Dave Turner a list of your entries and bring the prints in this week. Regards Graham
Good morning, All Last week we held our spring committee meeting, we discussed many topics including the new program which will be available to you all soon and did some preparation for the AGM. This week, Wednesday 2nd April, Brian McCarthy FRPS will be coming along to show us some more of his work. Brian is an ex-member of our club but has more recently been a member of Grimsby Photographic Society. You can also now start sending your print titles for the Curves and Open competition to Dave Turner. Regards Graham
