Flash Challenge #3

This weeks challenge is to create an image that combines existing light, known as ambient light, and on camera bounce flash.

Try to balance the exposure of the flash and the ambient light to create a natural looking image.

Forward your images to photochallenge@photolen.ca if you would like me to review them.

Bouncing Off The Walls

Last weeks challenge was to create an image using bounce flash. The goal was to create an image that had directional lighting.

On camera Direct Flash

Very often, photographers will dismiss using on camera flash because of the harsh, specular light it creates on the subject. Two weeks ago I was discussing on camera flash techniques to my students at Focal Point. The first image, shown here, was taken with direct on camera flash. Notice the small, bright specular's, the harsh shadows, and even though the wall was some distance away, the very obvious shadow on it.

So how do you have an on camera flash and still create directional lighting. The answer is in bouncing the flash. But from where? The first thing that comes to mind is to bounce it off the ceiling. the problem here is that you wind up with office lighting and racoon eyes. The better option is to try and bounce it from the side. The easiest is to get side lighting is to bounce the flash off a wall. If one isn't within range, try a reflector or a white shirt. Anything that will bring the light from the side.

On Camera bounced from wall

In the class, we bounced the light off the wall, the results are shown here. Some great information about flash photography can be found on Digital ProTalk. This link, David Ziser - Digital Pro-Talk , will take you to a video on his site that speaks directly to this topic. If you want to learn more about flash photography, I would encourage you to check out this link.

Have fun and great shooting. Come back tomorrow for next weeks challenge

Bounce flash

Last weeks challenge was to use on camera flash as fill. This week, the challenge is to use on camera flash as the main light.

In order to do this, bounce flash is the way to go. But instead of bouncing it off the ceiling, try bouncing off the walls. This will give a very nice directional look to the light. Be carful of your colours though. The light will take on the colour of the wall that you bounce off of.

Looking forward to seeing your images

Fill Flash Challenge Image

Last weeks photo challenge was to photograph a portrait using on camera fill flash.  The real challenge with fill flash is not allowing it to overtake the image.

Very often yo can find yourself in a situation where you have nice directional light but the shadow density is to much to allow you to make a print with detailing both the shadow and the highlight. The on camera fill flash, when used correctly, will let you reduce the shadow density of the image yet maintain the directional light. When it is really well done, the use of on camera fill flash is barely noticeable.

When photographing this image, I found myself with a very strong and high directional lighting.  the first thing I did was lower the light angle by putting a gobo above the subject. I found that the shadow on the subject face was too dark.

To fix this, I put a speedlite on camera, set the mode to ttl, and set the flash exposure compensation to minus 2.  this gave me just enough light to open up the shadow without giving the image a flashed look. The only real give away in this image that it is flashed is the catchlight generated by the flash.

Come back tomorrow for the next photo challenge.

Photo challenge #1

This is the first of 52 photo challenges. The goal is to present one new technique each week and then produce an image that incorporates that technique. You can submit your image to photochallenge@photolen.ca . I will post 2 to 3 images that I receive.  There is no prize for the best image for the week, best overall image, or anything else. But, you will have the chance to learn and practice 52 photographic techniques over the course of 2012.

So here it is, the first challenge.

On camera flash gives you very flat lighting. Refer back to my post on December 7, 2011, On Camera Fill Flash. For this weeks challenge, use on camera fill flash to reduce contrast in an image. Very often, light on a subject can be very harsh. Super bright on the lite side and really dark on the shadow side. By using fill flash, you can reduce the contrast by putting light into the shadow area.  The trick here is to not overdo the fill flash. As soon as the image starts to look flat, you have overfilled.

This week, create an image that uses on camera fill flash to reduce shadows yet remains natural looking.