Flash Photography - How Complex

snoword · Jul 30, 2008

..... really new here and just purchased a sb600. I have been doing a lot of reading and not exactly finding a good stepping point into basic flash photography.

How do people typically use their flash. Only inside when taking pictures?

And it seems to me if you shoot with a flash in any mode other then Auto or P then there is a lot of calculations needed to get the proper results.

...in regards to proper results there seems to be a number of things to do even when shooting a flash in Auto or P modes.

A flash adds a whole new dimension....or maybe i am making more complex then it needs to be.

tirediron · Jul 30, 2008

Flash photography can be anywhere from dead simple (Put the flash on, set to auto, shoot) to incredibly complex (Multiple off-camera flashes, metering, etc). It really is too deep a topic to get into here, but here are a few thoughts:

-Leave the flash in TTL mode for most shots

-Use it for outdoor shots where there are deep shadows, esp. portrait work ("fill" flash)

-If you're using it to illuminate people (as opposed to fill) than bounce it if possible to avoid strong shadows

Get a good book out from your library on the topic, or Google for on-line tutorials. There are lots.

Flash does add a whole new dimension. Enjoy!

Joves · Jul 30, 2008

It isnt really that difficult. All it takes is taking your time and practicing. Digitals are great for this very reason. It was more of a nightmare in the film days. Also you can go here and read for starts. http://strobist.blogspot.com/

K_Pugh · Jul 31, 2008

Second the above posts.

With the SB-600, i think most of the time you'll get away with keeping the flash on TTL BL. You can use the camera on Aperture Priority easily enough and get good results assuming there's enough ambient light (otherwise the flash will look too harsh). This works for me really well for most 'fill' situations, just move the head about and bounce the light off a wall or ceiling for better results. Use the - and + arrows on the flash to finely adjust it's output if you feel it's too powerful or not powerful enough.

As said though flash can be really simple these days or very complex once you use a number of them off camera.

JerryPH · Jul 31, 2008

Joves said:
It isnt really that difficult. All it takes is taking your time and practicing. Digitals are great for this very reason. It was more of a nightmare in the film days. Also you can go here and read for starts. http://strobist.blogspot.com/

I could not have said it better myself. For the amateur, the strobist stuff just rocks. Didn't David Hobbs put out a set of DVDs on sale at MPEX? It was like taking a full day seminar with fellow strobists and then add several DVDs of on site live shots or something like that?

Oh yeah, here we go, strobism in a box... lol:
The info thread:
http://flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157605285437573/

The sales site:
http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=Strobist

Enjoy!