The Inverse Square Law

Understanding the Inverse Square Law of Light: A Guide for Photographers When learning off-camera lighting, it’s essential to understand how light behaves to get the best results in your images. One of the most important concepts to grasp is the inverse square law of light. While it may sound complicated, it’s quite simple once you…

Equivalent Exposure

Understanding Equivalent Exposure in Photography and Its Relationship to Off-Camera Flash When diving into photography, one of the most important concepts to master is equivalent exposure. This principle allows you to make adjustments to different settings in the exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—while maintaining the same overall exposure. For photographers new to off-camera lighting,…

Catchlights

Mastering Catch Lights: Why Light Positioning Matters More Than the Catch Light Itself Catch lights, the small reflections of light that appear in a subject’s eyes, are a subtle yet important element in portrait photography. They give life to your subject’s eyes and can make a photograph look more engaging and alive. However, photographers who…

Head Shots

Mastering Headshots with Off-Camera Flash: Traditional and Modern Approaches Headshots are a staple in photography, especially in professional settings. The way you light and pose your subject can significantly impact the final result, and with the rise of off-camera flash, you have a wealth of creative control. Whether you’re shooting a traditional headshot for a…

Using Gobos

Mastering Gobos and Specialty Lighting Tools for Dramatic Off-Camera Flash Photography As photographers dive into off-camera flash, many seek to create more dynamic and dramatic images beyond standard lighting setups. Tools like gobos, the Westcott Optical Spot, and the Godox BFP projection device allow you to add intricate light patterns, shadows, and textures to your…

Freezing Motion

Understanding How to Use Flash to Freeze Motion in Photography When learning to use off-camera flash, one of the most powerful techniques you can master is using flash to freeze motion. Many photographers believe that simply adding a flash will always stop movement, but the truth is more nuanced. In this article, we’ll break down…

Back Lit By The Sun

Mastering Off-Camera Flash with a Backlit Subject: A Guide for Beginners Backlighting can create some of the most beautiful, dynamic images, especially when the sun is setting, casting warm, glowing light around your subject. However, shooting into the sun presents challenges, especially when balancing the exposure between your subject and the bright background. This is…

Christmas Lights

How to Capture Christmas Lights and Other Decorative Lights in the Background Using Flash Photographing people with Christmas lights or other types of decorative lighting in the background can create a magical holiday atmosphere. However, balancing flash for your subject with these ambient lights—especially when dealing with low-light conditions—can be tricky. In this article, we’ll…

Light Painting

Light Painting for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Basics and Advanced Techniques Light painting is an exciting way to add creativity and dynamic effects to your photography. By using a light source and long exposure, you can “paint” light into your photos, creating stunning and unique images. Whether you’re shooting inanimate objects or…

Wedding Photography

Mastering Off-Camera Flash for Weddings: A Step-by-Step Guide Photographing a wedding day is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s filled with moments that require quick adaptation, a blend of natural and artificial light, and the flexibility to change your approach as the lighting and ambiance shift. With a reliable off-camera flash setup, you’ll be prepared…