Light, camera, action

In an image like this, taken today, you need flash:

Why?

Because on a sunny day, the shadows will otherwise be harsh. And because the background needs to be darker, since that makes the colours saturated. And since, as you know, “bright pixels are sharp pixels.”. And since you want to direct light, rather than have the sun do it. And since the sun needs to be behind the subject, so there no squinting. And since flash give you crisp, great sharpness.

I used TTL flash for the shot, using one off-camera flash. The camera was on manual mode at 1/300th second, f/5.6, 100 ISO. A flash on the camera was off, but was driving the off-camera flash via light control, so direct path of light between the camera and the second flash is needed.

The colors here are great precisely because a flash was used. I do not like to shoot outdoors without a speedlight, and here you see why.

In bright sunlight, a single speedlight can do this, as long as your camera has a good flash sync speed (1/300th second on mine!) and as long as your flash is close enough to the subject to compare with the sun’s brightness. Else, use a studio strobe.

6 thoughts on “Light, camera, action

  1. Beautiful!! You don’t say anything about a modifier. It’s unusual for you. Was the speedlight “bare”? My max sync speed is 1/200. I’d LOVE to use a wider aperture. Is the solution a ND filter?

  2. Hi Michael,

    This shot of Kim is simply stunning.

    I know you had upgraded to a new ipad, what do you think are the best features Vs ipad 2? I am looking at which one to purchase and would like your thoughts?
    Cheers!
    Nick P

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