Flash Photography on Location
Aims of the lesson • To improve your knowledge of how flash light is useful when taking photographs • To handle and use flash lighting • To understand when and how to use flash lighting on location. • To learn how flash light changes the appearance of images
Lesson Objectives • To identify what is meant by fill flash • To identify when fill flash might be needed • To measure the exposure of flash light on location • To use flash light on location • To review & interpret flash results
Photographers who love to use flash on location • David Lachapelle
David Lachapelle
David Lachapelle
David Lachapelle
Philip lorca dicorcia
Philip lorca dicorcia
Philip lorca dicorcia
Philip lorca dicorcia
Philip lorca dicorcia
What is flash light?
Flash light • Flash light is an electric powered light source. • It is typically measure using a light meter
Light meter readings? • Incident light meter reading measures the amount of light falling on the subject using an inter-grated sphere.
• Taking an incident-light reading requires placing the meter at the subject's position and pointing it in the general direction of the camera.
• Can you think of any disadvantages of incident light readings?
Incident & Reflective readings
Reflective readings • Reflective light meter reading measure the light reflected by the scene to be photographed. • Most in-camera meters are reflected-light meters. • Reflected-light meters are calibrated to show the appropriate exposure for “average” scenes
Reflective reading • Can you think of any disadvantages of taking reflective readings?
What do we mean by fill flash?
Fill flash • Fill flash is a photographic technique used to brighten deep shadow areas, typically outdoors on sunny days . • Most point and shoot cameras include a fill flash even when lighting is bright and sunny. • Fill flash is usually 1 or 2 stops less powerful than the ambient light.
Example • If the ambient reading was measured at f8 the fill flash would measure at f5.6 or f4. • If the flash power was equal to the ambient reading, it would also measure at f8. • This is known as balancing the ambient and flash light.
Two example when fill might be needed? • When shooting into the sun • To remove unwanted shadows under the eyes, chin or nose etc • To create a catch light in the eyes
What disadvantages can you think of when using fill flash?
Disadvantages of using flash • Flash can be distracting or unsettling • Flash can give the image a ‘cold’ feel • Flash can look very unnatural • Flash attracts attention • Flash can reduce depth or flatten perspective
Using fill flash
No fill flash
Fill flash used
Fill in shadows created by hat
Night time flash
Mixing flash and ambient lighting
Balancing flash inside in bright light
Using flash outside in bright light
Practical • You will now watch and take part in the demonstration measuring and using flash lighting. • This will be followed by a short written test to re-cap. • Copes of this slide are available as handouts.