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Photography Lighting - The 2 Types Of Flashes

By Autumn Lockwood

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 18Jul2010 Word count: 501 Viewed: 277 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Although flashes are just one type of photography light, they are also one of the most common. 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 is how you can get the most out of using 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 super useful photography lights. They can be easily moved around and have their output and duration adjusted so you have complete lighting control over your final image.

First of all, make sure that your flash is firing into a light umbrella or some other type of diffusing contraption. 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. Studio flashes usually have a "modeling" light that will allow you to see the end result of your setup, so you should be able to plot this bouncing fairly well.

And, if you can, keep your subject away from the backdrop so you'll avoid sharp shadows in your 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. Lastly, you should use more than one light source. The more photography lights that you have, the more flexible your light becomes.

The Camera Flash

Many cameras are built right into the camera and work on an automated basis. While this is great for cost and convenience, an automatic flash is often a main contributor to terrible photographs. However, there are some situations in which the light you need simply isn't present and studio photography lights are out of the question (think weddings).

Just like using a studio flash, you'll want to bounce your flash if at all possible so that it's less harsh. When it comes to lighting, think of all the impromptu light reflectors you have around your house like tablecloths, walls, ceilings and white poster board 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, so whenever possible try to only use it to fill in the dark spots. Finally, remember that flashes have an effective range - if your subject is too far away the photo will be underexposed.

Flash is a complex subject and requires years of practice to 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.

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