Before I start my evening...

[Jessielee13]

with my camera... I have a question... maybe I am just simple and can't figure it out.. can someone explain the difference between first and second curtain flash...

 

[Robin Usagani]

first curtain: The flash goes off in the beginning of the shutter
2nd curatin: goes off at the end.

If you shutter is fast, you probably cant tell the difference.

 

[Trever1t]

The shutter opens with the first curtain and closes with the second. A quick Google found this explanation

http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/06/02/first-curtain-sync-vs-rear-curtain-sync/

 

[Jessielee13]

thank you

 

[Patrice]

You will really see the difference if you use your flash to photograph a moving car, especially at night and with a rather slow shutter speed. With first curtain sync the car will be illuminated with the flash at the beginning of the exposure and the tail lights will still register after the flash has gone off. The result will be the effect of the tail lights leading the car. A much more natural looking result will be achieved with rear curtain sync. The trailing tail lights will lead into the car.