Photography Lights – Using The 2 Types Of Flashes
ByThough flashes are only one kind of several photography lights, they are also one of the most important. Nearly all modern cameras have a flash built right into the body, and most professional photographers use flash at some point in their careers, if not every day. Just like cameras, flashes vary significantly in their construction, functionality and accessories. Here’s a breakdown on how to get the most out of your flash.
Studio Flash
These are the types of flashes that you see used on fashion shoots. They’re more powerful than traditional in-camera lights, held in place by light stands, and need an external power supply. Studio flashes are some of the most versatile in terms of photography lights; you can move them around an area and adjust their output and duration for total control of the final image.
The first thing you should do is make sure that your flash is firing into your light umbrella or some other type of diffuser. A direct flash will usually overpower your subject so it’s better to use a couple of reflectors and umbrellas to bounce light off your subject. With studio flashes they usually have a “modeling” light that will let you see the result from your setup so you should be able to map out your light pretty well.
Also, keep your subject away from the backdrop to prevent sharp shadows from showing up in the image. You’ve probably seen this effect in photographs that were shot with a digital camera – because the flash is dead center it casts a person-shaped shadow on the wall. Finally, use more than one light source. When you have more photography lights, the more flexible your light becomes and the better quality of a picture you’ll get.
The Camera Flash
Many cameras are built right into the camera and work on an automated basis. While this is certainly excellent in terms of convenience and cost, automatic flash is often responsible for terrible photographs. However, there will be times when the lighting is poor, and you simply can’t use studio lights (for example at weddings).
Just as with a studio flash, you’re going to want to bounce your flash to make it less harsh if at all possible. When it comes to lighting, think of all the impromptu light reflectors you have around your house like tablecloths, walls, ceilings and white posterboard that will all work great. Additionally, never rely on flash as the only light source. Flash looks best when used to augment the light you already have (like using natural light), so whenever possible try to only use it to fill in the dark spots. And don’t forget that your flash has an effective range so if your subject is too far away your photo will be underexposed.
Flash photography is a complex subject and requires many years of practice to completely master. If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, you should consider adding some photography lights to your “photo toolbox.” With the right knowledge and lighting setup you really can make every photograph look like a masterpiece.
