Flash Photography 101: Off-Camera Strobe Basics

Flash doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming. This workshop introduces off-camera strobe lighting in a clear, hands-on way, helping you move beyond on-camera flash and start creating images that feel intentional and controlled. We’ll focus on practical understanding, not technical overload, so you can use strobes with confidence in real shooting situations.

In this hands-on session, we’ll cover the fundamentals of working with strobe lights from setup to execution. You’ll learn how to trigger lights, control power, modify and diffuse light, and understand basic distances and placement. We’ll work both indoors and outdoors to show how strobes can be used to shape light, add depth, and solve common lighting problems.

You’ll learn:

• Strobe Basics – Understanding power, placement, and how off-camera flash works
• Triggering & Setup – How to connect and fire strobes reliably
• Light Modification – Using softboxes, umbrellas, and diffusion to control quality of light
• Distance & Control – How light placement affects exposure and mood
• Simple Lighting Setups – One-light and basic two-light concepts
• Problem Solving – Fixing harsh shadows, flat light, and inconsistent exposure
• Indoor & Outdoor Use – Applying strobe lighting in different environments

This workshop is fully hands-on and intentionally kept small so everyone has time working directly with the lights. You will set up, adjust, and shoot with the strobes yourself. Because of this, class size is limited to allow for individual guidance and real practice.

By the end of this class, you’ll understand how to use off-camera strobes with confidence and purpose, instead of guessing or avoiding flash altogether.

Cost: $65 before class begins
Official Sign Up: https://matteblackcamerarentals.com/phoenix-photography-classes-and-events/
What to Bring:

• Digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
• Charged battery and memory card
• A flash trigger or strobe if you own one (optional)
• Comfortable shoes for moving between setups
• Curiosity and willingness to experiment

Class begins promptly at 10:00 AM. We recommend arriving around 9:30 AM to check in, get settled, and be ready to start on time.