Photographic lighting can sometimes seem to be all about the toys. While it is important to cover types of lighting equipment, it is also important to understand how to make the right decisions about putting the equipment to use in the kinds of situations photographers encounter every day. Employing a simplified approach, ample before, during and after shots and a five-session presentation exploring different lighting challenges, Off-Camera Flash will help readers achieve fantastic, professional results.
Author(s): Neil van Niekerk
Edition: Illustrated
Publisher: Amherst Media
Year: 2011
Language: English
Pages: 128
Foreword by Chuck Ärlund
Introduction
1. Why Use Off-Camera Flash?
Improving Our Subject’s Appearance
Controlling the Background
Bounce Flash as Off-Camera Flash
2. Equipment for Off-Camera Flash Photography
Flashgun
Supporting the Flashgun
Light Stands
Monopods/Light Sticks
Connecting the Flashgun to the Light Stand/Monopod
Triggering the Flashgun
Radio Slaves
The Camera’s Built-in Wireless System
Diffusing the Flash
Umbrellas
Softboxes
Side-by-Side Comparison
Powering the Flashgun
Larger Lighting Systems
Quantum
Profoto
Metering the Flashgun
3. Concepts for Flash Photography
The Camera’s Shutter
Maximum Flash Sync Speed
High-Speed Flash Sync
Comparing High-Speed Flash Sync with Normal Flash Sync
Normal Flash Sync
The Linear Response of High-Speed Flash Sync
Propagation Delay
When to Use High-Speed Flash Sync
4. Manual Flash vs. TTL Flash
Manual Flash
TTL Flash
TTL Flash in Practice
Flash Exposure Compensation
Dragging the Shutter
5. Metering for Flash and Ambient Light
Metering for Ambient Light
Metering for Manual Flash
Metering for TTL Flash
Using a Handheld Light Meter/Flash Meter
Your Camera’s Built-In Meter
Metering White Tones for Ambient Light
Metering White Tones for Manual Flash
6. Balancing the Flash with the Ambient Light
Two Broad Scenarios
If We Just Need Fill Flash
