Demystifying Flash : The Basics

The use of flash can enable you to get quality results in a much wider variety of lighting conditions and can also allow you to capture images that are simply not possible without it. In spite of this, it remains one of the least understood tools available to the bird and wildlife photographer and is often one of the more difficult to learn. The most common stumbling block that I have observed is a failure to first understand some of the basic underlying concepts involved.

This Zoom-based online presentation will teach you the key basic concepts that are critical to understanding how to use flash effectively. This foundation of knowledge will serve you well as you go on to experiment with flash in the field. Topics will include the inverse square law, camera sync speed, front vs. rear sync, high-speed sync, the relationship between flash & ambient exposure, flash zoom, manual vs. automatic flash, and flash exposure compensation.

The presentation will be driven by a set of Mac Keynote slides and each participant will receive a PDF of the slides presented. The slides will not always be self-explanatory without the accompanying commentary, but this will at least eliminate the need to take detailed notes during the presentation. You will receive the slides at least 24 hours prior to the presentation and I would suggest printing them out to have at your side for taking notes during the talk.

Participants will also receive a recommended resource list with links to online videos and books on flash that will help you to reinforce and expand upon the knowledge gained during the class.

In order to better allow for questions and interaction throughout the presentation, extra time has been allotted, and attendance will be limited to a maximum of 20 people.