Camera Flash Lighting

I am not a great fan of on camera flash, but there times when you don't have a choice. Sometimes you need to be both portable and have that extra few stops that a flash can produce. In that situation it is best to have a flash that can be attached to your hot-shoe mount. If you get really stuck, you can also use the pop-flash (AKA build in flash), but by doing this you are stepping to the realm of red-eyes, flat pictures and burnt out people.

The best way to use an external flash is by triggering it by remote. (see the strobist for some great techniques on off camera flash use), but even if you get as creative as the strobster, sometimes you just have to have the flash on camera. For example: You are shooting a wedding and only have one or two flash units. Or is you are on the move along with your subject, and cant take the time to set up. So here are four simple ways to bounce your flash:

The way allot of photographers go is not to bounce at all. They place a stofen (A.K.A omni-bounce) on the flash, set the head to 45 degrees and shoot like there is no tomorrow. Now, the way the stofen works is it spreads dome of the light forward and bounce some of the light of the ceiling. so it only works if you have a nice, relatively low, white ceiling. This is considered a good solution by many photographer.

Why bounce?

When you bounce your flash, the light is coming to your subject in a diffused way. you will have less hot-spots (hot-spot is that shiny light at the tip of the subject's nose that just cries for attention). Red eye will not be an issue since the light is coming far off the subject-to-lens axis. you will avoid those harsh shadows. Today's newer DSLRs and flash units can calculate the light power you will need for the bounce, so you don't have to make recurring measures to correct for the bounce.

To those entering the realm of DSLR photography, gaining extended knowledge of flash photography can seem overwhelming. And for good reason: Using an external flash opens up creative photographic opportunities where none existed before, but it requires technical knowledge that the casual photographer doesn’t have time for learning. And as all professional photographers know, the tiny built-in flashes are worthless for serious photography (high-end DSLRs don’t include them for a reason).

Last year Nikon changed everything. With the addition of the SB-400 (Get it Here) to their Speedlight series, there is no excuse for shying away from using an external flash. The SB-400 is Nikon’s smallest flash ever for a DSLR, and is compatible with all Nikon DSLRs made after 2004. Its small, lightweight design makes traveling with an external flash a breeze. To use the SB-400, simply lock it on your Nikon DSLR’s hot shoe and push the power button. Flash photography has never been easier.

The number one advantage of using an external flash is the ability to bounce the flash. Most amateurs take flash pictures by striking their subject with a direct flash. This results in harsh lighting and overblown highlights on the subject, while the background goes almost completely black. With external flashes, including the SB-400, one can bounce the flash off the ceiling to get natural, even lighting for the entire scene.

Another advantage of the SB-400 is a fast recycle time between flashes (no more waiting valuable seconds to photograph that critical moment). The SB-400 will also give better flash coverage when using wide-angle lenses, so the corners aren’t darker than the rest of the scene. Finally, the 2-AA batteries the SB-400 takes will preserve your DSLR’s battery life when using the flash.

With the SB-400 Nikon proves once again that they are the leader in flash photography. Between the small size and ease of use, this flash should be in every first-time Nikon DSLR user’s camera bag. There’s no excuse that it shouldn’t.

Camera Lighting

Canon Speedlights
Canon Speedlite 580EX II - Further development of Canon's flagship Speedlite has led to the production of the 580 EX II. This is the premier Speedlite for all photographers, including professionals. Newly designed to match with the EOS-1D Mark III in terms of improved dust- and water-resistance, body strength, and the ability to control flash functions and settings from the camera menu (EOS-1D Mark III only). Other features include improved communication reliability through its direct contacts, and recycling time is both 20% shorter than the 580EX and is completely inaudible. Optional External power supply - compatible with Dust- and water- Resistant External Power Pack, Canon battery pack CP-E3 and Transistor Pack E Unit Dimensions - 3.0 x 5.3 x 4.5 inches /76 x 134 x 114mm; Weight - 13.2 oz./375g, without batteries (4 AA alkaline batteries add 3.5 oz./100g) Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Canon Speedlite 430EX II - Bringing a new level of versatility and capability to flash photography, the Canon Speedlite 430EX II features a powerful flash (guide number of 141 ft./43m at ISO 100) with a fast recycling time in a compact, durable body. A one-touch, quick-lock mechanism makes it easy to attach or detach the 430EX II from the camera and a metal foot has been added for strength and durability. Flash controls can now be set through the camera's LCD screen on compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras. The Speedlite 430EX II is also quieter, recycle time is 20% faster (as compared to the 430EX) and since it is compatible with Canon's wireless E-TTL, it can be used as an affordable "slave unit".

Provide your camera with plenty of power with 4 ultra-high capacity 2900mAh Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries and a multi-voltage rapid charger. Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Canon Speedlite 430EX - The Speedlite 430EX flash unit replaces the popular Speedlite 420EX. The Speedlite 430EX improves on many specifications of its predecessor and includes new features to maximize digital image quality when using a flash. These include automatic selection of camera white-balance settings and auto-adjustment of the zoom flash position to match the sensor size of the camera to which the unit is attached. The Speedlite 430EX has increased its guide number to 43 (m/ISO 100 at 105mm) and has approximately 40% faster recycling time than the Speedlite 420EX.

An ultra-bright, two-LED configuration focus assist-beam has been designed to be compatible with all focus points within the frame of all EOS AF systems, up to 9-point AF. Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Canon Speedlite 220EX - Featuring a recycle time of 0.1 to 4.5 seconds, fully automatic flash, compatible with all Canon EOS cameras. The 220EX can also utilize E-TTL operation when paired with the Canon EOS IX, EOS ELAN II/IIE, and EOS Rebel G. Sporting a save-energy feature, whereby the flash is shut down after 90 seconds of idle, the 220EX is powered by four AA batteries, and has a flash capacity between 250 and 1,700. The convenience and ease of use ensure the 220EX a place in the hands of amateur photographers who want a high-quality flash, but aren't interested in learning to use the professional features of Canon's other offerings. Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video

Nikon Speedlights
Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight for Nikon - an intelligent and versatile external flash unit that provides i-TTL flash operation in a super-compact and ultra-lightweight body at an affordable price.

With its powerful guide number of 21, the SB-400 is an ideal flash unit for beginners in digital SLR photography, but it is also useful for hobbyists and professionals looking for a handy i-TTL flash unit offering an effortless bounce flash function.

The SB-400 has been specifically developed to provide photographers with an entry-level external flash unit which is compatible with i-TTL flash operation. When combined with cameras that are compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System, the SB-400 is controlled in i-TTL and D40's M (manual) mode.

The SB-400's flash head can be tilted in 4 steps--horizontal, as well as 60, 75, and 90 degrees--and has a flash shooting distance range of between 60cm to 20m (depending on the camera's ISO setting). Slow Sync, Red-eye Reduction and other flash modes can also be set on the camera body, enabling users to enjoy brighter and more natural lighting for better flash pictures. Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight for Nikon - A compact flash packed with impressive functionality inherited from the renowned SB-800. It serves as a solid base for the Nikon Creative Lighting System when used in combination with Nikon D70 or D2H digital SLRs.

When used in combination with Nikon's latest digital SLRs, the D70 or D2H, the SB-600 supports Advanced Wireless Lighting as a remote Speedlight that can be positioned as one of multiple remote flashes to significantly extend creative possibilities. To assist in such situations, the Speedlight SB-600 also has two Ready Lights located on both the left and right of the front that can be easily seen from a distance. The SB-600 can also emit an audible alert for further assistance.

Auto FP High-Speed Sync enables the use of Fill-Flash even in bright daylight with wide aperture settings for the achievement of outstanding results and new creative possibilities, including the effective blurring for of out-of-focus background elements. An optional color filter set SJ-1 is also available, allowing imaginative shooting to be pushed even further. Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight for Nikon - A sophisticated flash unit / Special functions with NIKON D2H, D1 and D100 Digital Cameras / Supports up to 3 slave units TTL and Non-TTL Auto Flash (A) with film cameras Intelligent i-TTL system supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, including 3 remote i-TTL Speedlight groups controlled through the master SB-800 D2H and SB-800 wireless lighting system makes operation as simple as an on-camera Speedlight Auto FP High Speed Sync Mode delivers fill flash in bright light as needed FV Lock (Flash Value Lock) allows photographer to change the composition or zoom for the shot, while maintaining desired lighting of the subject Wide-area AF Illuminator covers D2H's 11 AF sensors Compatible with every AF Nikkor lens Power Source - Four 1.5 V (AA-size alkaline), AA (AA-size NiCd) or AA-size lithium batteries, Quick Recycle Battery Pack SD-800 holds a fifth AA - size battery for faster power recycling Dimensions - Width Approximately 2.8 x Height 5.1 x Depth 3.7 inch Weight without batteries - Approximately 12.3 ounces Batteries are not included. Must be purchased separately. Find it at Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight for Nikon - Powerful and versatile SB-900 works as a stand-alone flash, featuring wireless operation as a Commander or wireless remote light source. Expanded Auto Power Zoom Coverage - The SB-900 provides zoom coverage from 17-200mm in the FX-format and 12-200mm coverage in the DX-format. Choose from 3 light distribution patterns - Improve light quality by selecting Standard for general illumination, Center-weighted for portraits, or for groups or interiors. User-friendly firmware updating - Allows uploading of performance enhancement developments to the SB-900 with select Nikon digital SLR cameras. Color gel filter identification - The SB-900 automatically identifies mounted color gel filters and adjusts the camera's auto white-balance setting with select Nikon digital SLR cameras. Flash Tube Overheat Protection - An added measure of safety is provided for sustained high-speed bursts. Drip-proof mounting foot cover (Water Guard) - for enhanced moisture protection (optional). Lens Coverage - 17 to 200mm (FX-format, Automatic mode); 12 to 200mm (DX-format, Automatic mode); 12 to 17mm (FX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed); 8 to 11mm (DX-format, Automatic mode with built-in wide-angle panel deployed) Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180° Flash head tilts down to -7° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90° Output per set of batteries - 110 Alkaline-manganese (1.5V); 230 Lithium (1.5V); 190 Ni-MH (2600 mAh) Find it at Adorama,  Amazon or B&H Photo Video

Olympus Flash
  FL20, FL36, FL36R, FL50, FL50R,  Buy from: Amazon

Pentax Flash
  AF-200 FG, AF-360 FGZ, AF-540 FGZ, Buy from: Amazon

Sigma Flash
  For Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sony, Sigma, EF-530 DG ST, EF-530 DG Super,  EF-530 DG Super EO ETTl II, Buy from: Amazon

Sony Flash
  Sony HVL-F36AM, Sony HVL-F42AM, Sony HVL-F58AM, Sony HVLF32X External Auto Programmable Flash, Sony HVLF1000 External Auto Programmable Flash,Buy from: Amazon
Professor Kobre's Lightscoop, a bounce device for the pop-up flash on most 35mm DSLRs with interchangable lenses, slips over your camera's pop-up flash and allows you to bounce the flash like professionals bounce an expensive external flash. The Lightscoop is the inexpensive answer to natural-looking bounce flash and digital photography lighting. (Even professionals like it for casual shooting!) No more harsh shadows, bleached faces, red-eye, or cave effect from direct pop-up flash! Reviewers tell the story: "Bounce pop-up flash by snapping a Lightscoop over it, a little piece of plastic genius," Popular Photography, March 2008 "...just as if you had used one of those reflector umbrellas that the pros use," David Pogue, New York Times, "Circuits." -- "It slips into your camera's hot shoe, fits right over the pop up flash, and redirects the camera's flash to a ceiling or wall. That's bounce, baby, bounce... as essential as a lens cap," DingbatMag, the monthly review of Cool Tools "Your pop-up flash doesn't have to suck... I was stunned by the difference," Terry White's Tech Blog The Standard version has a normal mirror and is used in most situations. Compatible cameras Canon 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, Rebel XTi OR 400, Rebel XT OR 350 Fuji FinePix Pro S Series Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D100, D200, D300 Sigma SD14 Pentax K10D, K100D, K20D, K200D Olym
Lighting Accessories: Diffusers & Reflecters, Booms & Stands, Flash Brackets, Flashlights, Monolights, Mounting Hardware, Slaves & Umbrellas

See my article on lighting

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