Flash Basics

TTL vs Manual

TTL – Through The Lens – automatic exposure, very good for dynamic situations

Manual – fixed light output, best with manual mode, more repeatable

Manual Flash Exposure

Dialing in manual flash exposure with a digital camera is easy with these steps!

1. Set camera to manual (M) mode
   • Starting settings:
   • 200 ISO
   • f/5.6
   • 1/160s
2. Take a photo, notice how much light is coming without flash. If the scene is mostly dark or black that’s ideal, otherwise also fine, you’ll be blending available light and flash.
3. Set up flash on manual mode, start at 1/32 power
4. Take a photo, review on your camera
5. Photo too dark? Try:
   • Increase flash power (1/16, ⅛, ¼,…)
   • Open lens (f4, f2.8…)
   • Increase ISO (400, 800ISO…)
   • Move flash closer to subject
   • Reposition flash
6. Photo too bright? Try:
   • Decrease flash power (1/64, 1/128…)
   • Stop lens down lens (f8, f11…)
   • Decrease ISO (100, 50 ISO)
   • Move flash farther from subject
7. Want more natural light mix?
   • Decrease shutter speed (1/60, 1/30, …)

Modifiers

• Direct flash will have a harder light edge, and can be unflattering (but not always!). Modifiers can adjust the shape and softness of light
• Bouncing the flash can also soften flash
• Generally closer to subject is softer, farther is harder light
• Harder light can lead to “spectral highlights”, shiny patches of light on your subject
• Umbrellas are a great entry point!