Portraits_Flash and Lighting Options

FLASH MODES INTRODUCTION
February 2018

When you’re shooting with flash you’re dealing with two light sources
Ambient light for the scene
Your camera flash
The key is getting an aesthetic balance between the two light sources
When the flash is triggered, the flash of light is so brief compared to the exposure
of the ambient scene. Shutter speed will only affect the ambient exposure.
However you do have to be careful not to set a shutter speed that is too fast
HTTP://WWW.AMATEURPHOTOGRAPHER.CO.UK/TECHNIQUE/CAMERA_SKILLS/HOW-
TO-USE-YOUR-CAMERA-FLASH-639#D5PGFM0YEFMVULCX.99

STRENGTH OF LIGHT

Fill Flash is used to supplement existing light in a scene
It’s generally not the primary light source even when shooting at
night but fills in light where natural/alternate light sources don’t
reach the subject
Very useful for backlit subjects when the subject itself is in shade
FILL FLASH

IN CAMERA FLASH

Pros:
Always with the camera
Light and easy
Cons:
The startled rabbit look – direct light into
the subject
Flash strength/power
.5 to 4 meters
IN CAMERA FLASH

Techniques to maximise the equipment
Get in close enough
Get off auto: In auto modes – the camera will only turn the flash on
when the light drops below a certain level
Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority or Manual will have a wider
selection of flash modes for a variety of lighting conditions
Try to diffuse and soften the light
Redirect the light
Flash compensation
Use ‘slow sync settings’
IN CAMERA FLASH

DIFFUSE THE LIGHT

REDIRECT THE LIGHT

By default your camera flash is on auto and may not select the best
setting for your chosen ‘look’
You may want to increase or decrease the amount of light from your
flash
If your photos are coming out with an overexposed subject, adjusting
the flash compensation can change those blown-out highlights into a
photo with correct exposure.
To adjust the flash compensation, you will need to be in Manual,
Aperture Priority, or Shutter Priority modes (M, A, or S on Nikon; M, Av,
or Tv on Canon).
Check your manual for how YOUR camera will achieve this
FLASH COMPENSATION

FLASH COMPENSATION – CHECK YOUR MANUAL

A little like fill flash slow sync flash is used during the day to fill the
subject shadows
Extend the exposure time to get good exposure of the
background
You may find that you need to adjust the flash exposure
compensation a little the decrease the strength of the flash on
the subject
The subject will be frozen by the flash, however the long exposure
for the background may require the use of a tripod if you want it
sharp.
SLOW SYNC FLASH

REMOVABLE FLASH UNITS

Pros
Cons
Can be used on, or off camera (with appropriate links)
Ultimate variations in light outputs (dependant on model)
Can be expensive
Can be ‘complicated’ to use until well practiced
When on camera it works like in camera flash, however with
greater control possibilities to redirect the light
REMOVABLE FLASH UNITS

The ultimate in lighting control
Additional requirements –remote trigger to
link camera to the flash unit
OFF CAMERA FLASH

ADDITIONAL
EQUIPMENT

BOUNCE THE LIGHT

THE ULTIMATE CONTROL

PORTRAIT LIGHTING SET UP

Classic
Environmental
Candid
Glamour
Character
Lifestyle
Surreal/Creative/Blur
Abstract
The keys: high, medium, low key
Black and White
TYPES OF PORTRAITS:

Impact of Focal Length
Impact of Aperture: Depth of Field
Impact of Shutter Speed
Location
LENS CHOICE:

Think about everything you will need for the effect you want to
achieve
Mood ++++++
PREVISUALISATION:

Demonstrate if necessary
Perspective
Eye contact
Singles
Groups
POSING

Low key is a style of photography that uses predominantly dark
tones to create a dramatic/moody looking image.
Pre-visualisation is very important to ensure all props and clothing
work together and not against the lighting and mood required.
Lighting set ups will vary according the light and shadow
information you wish to create for the mood
https://digital-photography-school.com/making-low-key-portrait/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba1Hiq3w3kc
LOW KEY

LIGHTING SET UP
HTTPS://PHOTOGRAPHY.TUTSPLUS.COM/TUTORIALS/THE-COMPLETE-
BEGINNERS-GUIDE-TO-SHOOTING-LOW-KEY--PHOTO-3427

High key photography uses extreme bright lighting to blow out most or all
shadows in an image
Pre-visualisation is very important to ensure all props and clothing work
together and not against the lighting and mood required.
Lighting set ups will vary but in general in a studio/indoor environment
requires several light sources to blow out any shadows. But with careful
selection of light walls, light clothing and a simple light source (and perhaps
some over exposure in camera or in post) the look can be created with less
equipment
https://digital-photography-school.com/4-tips-perfect-white-backgroundhigh-key-photography/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFF2dOXyNuM
HIGH KEY

LIGHTING SET UP
HTTPS://PHOTOGRAPHY.TUTSPLUS.COM/TUTORIALS/THE-COMPLETE-BEGINNERS-GUIDE-
TO-SHOOTING-HIGH-KEY--PHOTO-2949

HIGH KEY LIGHTING SET UP

HIGH KEY USING WINDOW LIGHT

Basic Strategies
You need to place your subject (the shape you want black) in front of a
strong light source
Force (use manual mode) your camera to set its exposure based on the
brightest part of your picture – the background - and not the subject
Don’t use flash unless it is used off camera to lighten the background only
Silhouettes are about shape and form, so in portraits, the pose is critical to
ensure the subject looks interesting against the background
SILHOUETTE

https://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photographsilhouettes/
https://improvephotography.com/33518/14-tips-shootingstunning-silhouettes/

High Ley
Low Key
Mid tones
Shoot in Black and White
Shoot a Silhouette portrait
Shoot a portrait using coloured gels
Shoot a creative blur portrait
Shoot a portrait with a sense of movement
Group shot
Poses:
Full body shot: standing or seated
Head shot
Up close and personal
PORTRAIT CHALLENGES: 12 FEBRUARY 2018