Comments on: Off Camera Flash Techniques For Dramatic Portrait Lighting

By: Trish

Trish — Thu, 19 May 2016 04:20:00 +0000

Why would we set the shutter speed to our flash sync, then change the shutter speed after that:Then set your shutter speed to your camera’s flash sync speed or slower (1/200th of a second is the flash sync speed on my Nikon, check your manual to be sure). Take a picture of the scene without your subject in the the natural light and transfer the settings of that exposure to the Manual Mode on your camera. For example, if the Auto settings were ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/100th of

By: Trish

Trish — Wed, 18 May 2016 06:20:00 +0000

How do I get rid of the photo I accidentally posted!!

By: Trish

Trish — Wed, 18 May 2016 06:17:00 +0000

Thanks so much Ron. I have been looking at one million tutorials, been on forums, spent way too much money on a high sync thingy for my camera….tried exposing for sky and a trillion other ways. I now shall tootle off and try this when sky in getting interesting. Does the same technique work on bright sunny days, or overcast?

By: Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene Hildebrandt — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 03:43:00 +0000

In reply to Eloy.

Eloy – if you have a hand held meter just set your camera to the aperture you want to shoot at, let’s say f/5.6. They set up your flash and meter it. If it is not at f/5.6 adjust the power up or down accordingly until it is. Or you can move it closer or away from the subject. Each time you adjust the light meter it again. When you have the flash power equal to f/5/6 on the meter you’re set.

By: Eloy

Eloy — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 17:30:00 +0000

Excelent description, thank you!…but what if you want to do the same using a light meter?

By: Susie Rostad

Susie Rostad — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 01:49:00 +0000

Best explanation of using off-camera flash that I’ve found anywhere! Thank you so much for the simple explanation. It worked Awesome when I tried it…..just like you said! Super excited to try it more!

By: Ron Clifford

Ron Clifford — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:10:16 +0000

In reply to SH. MOHSIN JAWAID. I'm glad you found it helpful! Once you have gone through it for yourself once or twice, it gets really easy to get to your settings quickly. I use the technique on a lot of subjects, not just portraits and it works great.

By: SH. MOHSIN JAWAID

SH. MOHSIN JAWAID — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:49:44 +0000

Great article Ron no doubt.Before it I had gone through the bunch of articles,tutorials,videos etc.of the famous photographers,sadly nothing got in mind.the way you have explained is really helpful.I appreciate your effort and would like to thank you so much.I am in search of a willing subject(human certainly) to give it a try.Adios !

By: Ron Clifford

Ron Clifford — Mon, 27 May 2013 18:31:07 +0000

In reply to Lanna Emilli. Glad it was helpful!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Mon, 27 May 2013 18:20:05 +0000

In reply to Lanna Emilli. You're most welcome, do keep reading and practicing!

By: Lanna Emilli

Lanna Emilli — Sun, 26 May 2013 06:55:38 +0000

Awsome!

I used to be the “natural light” person but gradually I am getting into flash.

Loved this article! =D

Thanks so much for the great content you share =D

By: Ron Clifford

Ron Clifford — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:17:48 +0000

In reply to life Coach. I haven't seen any problems from My Pc with Chrome or on my Chromebook

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:52:59 +0000

In reply to life Coach. What browser and platform are you using? I haven't had any other issues reported.

By: life Coach

life Coach — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:03:37 +0000

I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems with
your blog. It appears like some of the text on your content are running off
the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know
if this is happening to them as well? This could be a problem with my web browser
because I’ve had this happen before. Many thanks

By: Ron Clifford

Ron Clifford — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:35:10 +0000

In reply to Colleen. I'm glad it helps!

By: Colleen

Colleen — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:25:15 +0000

Thank you so much, Ron and Darlene. I have a speedlight and the youngnuo trigger/receivers, but have no idea how to use them. This article was a tremendous help.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:20:33 +0000

In reply to Ron Clifford. Thanks Ron!

By: Ron Clifford

Ron Clifford — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:12:38 +0000

In reply to Andy.

Great questions Andy! First to answer why I use radio triggers, it’s because My camera’s built in triggering system is done with infra red. Because of that, my camera’s pop-up flash needs to be in a line of sight to the flash with the soft box. This is not easy to maintain and ends up in frustrating misfires. Radio triggers on the other hand don’t need line of sight and are far more reliable.

With radio triggers as with the built in IR triggering, it happens in sync with the shutter actually engaging so you can use them with a timer or a remote shutter release.

I hope it helps

(P.S. I use the built in triggering if I’m in an enclosed area).

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:59:44 +0000

In reply to Andy. I'll let Ron answer that one for you.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:07:00 +0000

Love the article — very well written! I am new to this Web site and off camera flash and have a couple questions: 1) If you have an in-camera triggering system, why would you want to buy a radio trigger? 2) When does the radio trigger fire the flash? Once the shutter release button is pressed or when the shutter is actually released (i.e., if I put my camera on tripod and delay the shutter release by using the camera’s self-timer)?

By: Ron Clifford

Ron Clifford — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:19:26 +0000

In reply to Darlene. HI Renz, like Darlene said, I use Manual mode to give me complete control over the balance between natural (ambient) light and flash.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:07:41 +0000

In reply to Renz. Hi Renz, Ron mentioned that earlier - all manual on the flash. The remotes he's using to do support TTL. Pocket wizards do but they are much more expensive (a set of two will cost you about $500 vs $35!)

By: Renz

Renz — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:04:59 +0000

Great article! I’m novice in flash photography and i found the tutorial timely.

In the step four above (matching the off camera flash) is the flash in TTL mode or manual mode?

Thanks and more power.

By: Jim McNulty

Jim McNulty — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:35:29 +0000

Thanks so much for this easy to follow, and use article. Just what the doctor ordered.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:26:08 +0000

eWow thank you so much for the info on off camera flash. it was a rally great tutorial. I feel I can tackle this now.
I have just found the yongnou radio triggers for $27 on ebay! I can’t wait until they arrive so I can try out this new technique!