Tag Archives: Flash Modifiers

Wednesday Possibilities

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Michael Willems

Today, some shots to get your imagination going – shots that show how much is possible with little effort, and quickly. Shots I took in and between classes in mere seconds, to demonstrate specific points. Like this quick demonstration shot … Continue reading →

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Outdoors modifiers

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Michael Willems

Reader James asks: I’ve read you advocating for unmodified on camera flash outdoors (as fill), and for on camera flash diffusers (Bounce card, Gary Fong,etc), but is there a reason you don’t use the techniques together? Why not use a … Continue reading →

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Bouncing and long lenses

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Michael Willems

When shooting an event, you would usually use a somewhat wider lens (a 35mm, say, or a 24-70) and bounce the flash behind you, upward – you have read this here many times. But when you take candid shots with … Continue reading →

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The order of things

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Michael Willems

When I shoot an event, in difficult light, here is how I start: Camera on manual; 1/30th second at f/5.6, ISO400; Flash aimed 45 degrees up, behind me. I check if that gives me a reading of -2 stops on … Continue reading →

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What if there’s no wall?

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Michael Willems

I keep recommending that when you use TTL flash, you bounce it off walls or ceilings. So what if there is no wall or ceiling? Then you do the following. Ensure you expose the background well, with high ISO, open … Continue reading →

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Snoots

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Michael Willems

Leading up to this Saturday’s Advanced Flash course in Toronto, with Guest Star David Honl, (just a couple of spots left), I thought I might share another flash modifier tip today. And that is the use of snoots. A snoot … Continue reading →

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Grid and bear it

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Michael Willems

When you are shooting with multiple lights in a studio-like setting, one of the most important things is to shape the light; to control where it goes. And the problem with a bare flash is that its light goes, well, … Continue reading →

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About that home studio

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Michael Willems

One more about the simple TTL home studio. I can give you some pointers to do your own. Here’s how. You need: A modern SLR camera. A lens – anything over 50mm will do. A 50mm f/1.8 might be a … Continue reading →

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Outside flash

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Michael Willems

As a result of yesterday’s shoot, reader Franklin asked: Michael, I often use my flash for outdoor portraits.  Since I don’t have anywhere to bounce the flash, I often point it straight at my subject.  In many cases, I end … Continue reading →

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Portrait note

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Michael Willems

One more from Sunday’s course. This time, a portrait of model Tara that I made to help explain multiple flash TTL. Straight out of the camera it is: How was this made? With a small Traveller 8 softbox on the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Light, Picture of the day, Technique | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments