A great camera, an awesome lens, a creative pose. Something’s still missing…
You’ve got everything you need to create good photography, but “good” is simply not good enough. You’re after “great photography.”
Enter off-camera flash.
Good news. Contrary to popular belief, using this technique is easier and more affordable than you think. It’s not necessary to spend thousands on a complex lighting system, when, chances are, you’ve got a cheap speedlight lying around the house or the studio somewhere.
First Step: Let’s start with the simple speedlight that you’re probably used to operating while atop your camera’s hotshoe. All you need is a wireless trigger (this will now set atop your camera’s hotshoe), available in various brands from various companies. You will also need a wireless receiver (this will plug into your speedlight’s pc sync port). Once you have these tools at your disposal, mount your speedlight on a simple light stand off-camera, turn it on, turn on your receiver, your trigger and your camera. Press the shutter button and voila! You just got your flash off-camera!
*Money-Saver: The brand Yongnuo makes a popular wireless off-camera trigger and receiver kit for under $100. If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, start here!
If you’re thrifty, you’ll be able to purchase a light stand, trigger, receiver and light modifier and get your flash off camera for under $500.
Second Step: Once you’re comfortable using your speedlight off-camera, investing in light modifiers such as umbrellas or softboxes is second nature. They’ll soften the light from your speedlight and help produce a quality you and your subjects will love. Modifiers of all sizes are available in various brands via various sources.
*Pro’s choice: Many professional photographers use the Westcott Rapidbox because it’s light, durable and mobile. Plus, it doesn’t break the bank. An example of one can be found here!
Third Step: Practice using your off-camera kit until it becomes second nature. Study lighting patterns such as broad, short, loop, split, butterfly and Rembrandt. This will give you unique styles to apply when you photograph. Even natural light photographers enjoy supplementing their images with off-camera flash from time to time. Having this tool at your disposal allows you to be prepared to tackle harsh lighting conditions you otherwise would have struggled with, such as:
- Dappled light covering the subjects? Splash a bit of off-camera flash onto them to fill on those funky shadows.
- Mid-day sun casting harsh shadows on your subject’s face? Place their back to the sun and fire on off-camera flash toward them to over-power the shadows.
- Boring white sky behind your subject got you down? Raise you F-stop to darken the background and hit your subject with off-camera flash to make the image come to life.
- Subjects lacking catch lights in their eyes? Position your off-camera flash near them to solve that problem really quick.
That wasn’t so hard, now, was it?
Settings for images above: Nikon d750, 16-28mm F- 6.3, SS- 1/40, ISO-100 On Image 1, no flash. On Image 2, One strobe in a softbox just behind my camera. Here you can see the difference off-camera flash makes.
Settings: Nikon d750, 50mm 1.4: F- 3.5, SS- 1/100, ISO- 100 For this image, I placed a strobe in a softbox toward the left to achieve Split Lighting for a dramatic-looking senior portrait in the woods.
Settings: Nikon d610, 16-28mm F- 4, SS- 1/125, ISO- 100 In this photograph, I placed the subject under an interstate overpass in the shade with the sun toward his back. I placed a strobe in a softbox toward the left. Relying on the sun for rim/backlighting, we have a neat-looking two-light setup.
A Yongnuo off-camera kit for speedlights. One of the most affordable ways to get your flash off camera.
About the photographer: Hi! I am the owner of Waybright Photography, a Charleston, West Virginia-based business that has been providing professional photography since 2006. I specialize in weddings ,senior, families and real estate photography. I’m all about providing quality services at affordable prices.
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