Basic skills and demonstrations of off-machine flashing lights

Basic equipment for off-machine flashing lights

To use the flashing lights to the photo, of course you want some light, for the general use of the home, a common external flashing lights have been able to, in the choice of flashing lights, it is best to choose some lamp can be adjusted to facilitate the change of the direction of the flash; and, if you can, choose some that can connect an external battery box with a camera sync line, The external battery box can increase the speed and durability of the callback, but it is not necessary.

The next step is to have the external flash connected to the camera! The cheapest and the traditional way is to use the Flash sync line to connect, pay attention to each camera's flash Sync line plug may be different, when you buy, choose by model. But now some more convenient choice, that is, the use of wireless synchronizer, there are many of these synchronizer, like Phottix ODIN Flash, or domestic brand Connaught Yongnuo RF-603 II, the former more professional, there are more options, but also more expensive, for beginners may wish to consider the latter.

The last equipment is put external flashing light bracket, flashing light racks are not expensive, in the camera equipment stores generally have, such as Manfrotto 5001B, or the mainland brand can also be directly placed in the chair or desktop can also be.

Demonstration teaching of off-machine flashing light

The following demonstration utilizes 3 kinds of equipment-Canon 6D, a Canon 580 EXII flashing light, two wireless fuzes, and a lamp frame. The object to be photographed is a wooden carving on a bamboo mat, while the background is covered with a brightly coloured cloth, and a natural light from the outdoors, as in the following photo:

　　

At first without any flashing lights, shoot directly:

Aperture: f/2.8

Shutter: 1/160s

iso:250

Only the use of natural light to shoot the effect is not bad, but the left because of lack of lighting and relatively dark:

　　

Now it's time for the Flash! External flash usually has several buttons, but the first thing you need to know is "mode" mode, which allows you to move from "ettl" (auto) to "m" manual mode when you press the mode button. Ettl can play a big role when you put a flashing light on the camera, but when you use the off-machine flash, it's best to use full manual mode, which can more effectively control the output of the flash lamp and the effect you want to use.

After selecting the "m" manual mode, you can control the output of the flash, 1/1 is the full output and 1/128 is the minimum luminosity (in fact it is only the duration of the output rather than the actual strength, in other words). The following photos are made using just the same settings, but the flash output is tuned to 1/16 to see the effect:

　　

Flash output set to: 1/16

The photo looks too light, we try to reduce the output to 1/64, then the average number of light:

　　

Flash output set to: 1/64

If you drop the flashing light output to 1/128, you can see that the edges of the main body are more prominent and can be exposed in the background:

　　

Flash Output: 1/128

The above is off the machine flash light the most basic play, is not very simple? Next you can try a few more flashing lights, adjust the output, and illuminate the different places, which may have unexpected effects ah! Come on, let's play!

(Photos/ref from DPS)