If your past attempts at learning flash have all ended in failure (not to mention tears and/or blind rage), then The Off-Camera Flash Handbook is about to change everything for you. For years, photographer Vanessa Joy has been using off-camera flash to create gorgeous portraits that look like they were shot in the most beautiful natural light at the perfect time of day. Well, guess what? That consistent look was not created thanks to the most amazing luck with the weather. No. It was created by a pro photographer who mastered her use of off-camera flash. And with her down-to-earth and practical explanations, that's exactly what Vanessa teaches you in this book.
Vanessa breaks down off-camera flash into an easy-to-understand approach, and instead of focusing on the gear and the settings (which are also included, of course), she focuses on the kinds of shots you want to make. This book is about learning to use off-camera flash easily and quickly so that you can create beautiful, natural-looking light in any situation, at any time you need it...regardless of the weather or time of day.
The book is divided into three parts. Part One covers the fundamentals of off-camera flash, and it does so without blasting you with a firehose of information. Instead, Vanessa gives you the basics you need so that you can start shooting right away without becoming overwhelmed with technical jargon.
Once you're set up and ready to go, Vanessa jumps right into Part Two with specific photo scenarios and real-world situations where you'll learn key techniques for using your flash to create consistent, beautiful photographs. For each scenario, Vanessa provides the goal for the shoot, a gear list, the step-by-step shooting instructions, and images that show both the progress of the shoot and the behind-the-scenes shots or lighting diagrams of the setup. She also discusses problems you may encounter, variations on the shot, and additional practical scenarios for each situation.
Just a few examples include:
• Recreating the golden hour at any time
• Shooting groups
• Making indoors look like outdoors
• Enhancing natural light
• Using flash at events
• Working in harsh sunlight
• Creating silhouettes
• Shooting at sunset
• Fixing an ugly-light room
• And much more
Finally, Part Three tackles the questions you'll likely have once you've got the basics under your belt and you're already creating great photos with your off-camera flash-things like high-speed sync, sync speed, a practical understanding of the inverse square law, etc. There is also a helpful FAQ section at the end of the book.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1: GETTING STARTED WITH OFF-CAMERA FLASH
You Already Know This
Getting Your Flash Off Camera
The Fourth Point of the Exposure Triangle
Light Positions and Modifiers
How to Add More Lights
PART 2: SCENARIOS
Golden Haze
Golden Hour
Creating Twilight
Photographing at Sunset
Making a Magenta Sunset
Groups with One Light
Individual Portraits
Couple Portraits
Enhancing Natural Light
Making Indoors Look Like Outdoors
Super Soft Portrait Light
Creating a Fiery Sky
Keeping the Sky Blue
Lighting a Dark Room
Creating a Silhouette
Turning Day into Night
Tiny Little Details
Table Details
Event Speeches
In Harsh Sunlight
Shooting with Reflectors
Event Bounce Flash
Using Gels for Fun Color Effects
Using Gels to Color Correct
Lighting a Dark Room
Turn a Rainy Day Sunny
Lighting to Look Like Window Light
Making Front Bokeh
To Fill in Shadows
Wow, This Indoor Light Sucks
Rim Lighting
PART 3: FACTS AND FAQS
What Are You Talking About?
But Light Doesn't Do That
FAQs about OCF
