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Tangents

flash photography techniques


flash photography techniques
~ intro page ~ natural looking flash

As photographers we’re always looking for perfect light.
And yet, the quality of available light isn’t always ideal. It is rarely perfect.

But I feel that in using flash wisely, I’m able to enhance or over-ride the available light. With careful use of flash, I am more in control of light, and hence the way my photos will look – than if I had just accepted the existing ambient light.

Instead of waiting for perfect light, I use what I have …
and add flash to make the best of the situation.


A few things we need to get out of the way first :

  • These pages were originally written to help other photographers who struggle with on-camera flash. But they were also written as a reaction against the snobbery of the purists who insist on using available light only – even when it looks terrible.
  • The photos on the next few pages are mostly from weddings.  However, don’t feel that this only relates to weddings.  The techniques here are applicable to almost any other field of photography.  Since the majority of my work is as a wedding photographer in New Jersey, it was just easier for me to find examples from that.
  • The techniques here are, for the most part, system non-specific.
    I own and use both Nikon and Canon systems.  I have used, or am currently still using the Nikon D3, D700, D2x, D2H, D200, D100, Canon 1Dmk3, 1Dmk2, 1Dmk2N, Canon 5D and Fuji S2.
  • The photos here were all taken with digital cameras. They are immensely helpful tools in learning about the craft of photography. However, the techniques here are just as valid for film cameras.
  • Also, the images here had very little to no Photoshop work done to them. But I did correct the white balance, and fine-tune exposure and contrast for these photos, as part of my general raw workflow.
  • I always use my camera in manual exposure mode for very specific reasons. With flash however, I alternate between TTL flash (if either myself or the subject isn’t static), or manual flash, (if the subject is static in relation to the strobe.)
  • And finally, when I talk about ‘on-camera flash’, I am not talking about the pop-up flash, but a proper dedicated hot-shoe mounted speedlight / flashgun.

Also be sure to read the other entries on the Tangents blog.  I continually add new material there.  At the bottom of each page, there is a link back to the previous entries.   To stay up to date with new entries as they are published, add the Tangents blog to your RSS feed, or you can sign up for the monthly newsletter.

To delve further into the postings on this site that specifically deals with flash photography,
the flash photography category would be a good start.

There’s also a resource page for off-camera flash photography techniques and tips.

The Book on On-Camera Flash Photography

I’m very happy to announce that my book on flash photography techniques for on-camera speedlights, is now available for purchase on Amazon. You can also order an autographed copy directly from me.

The book is based on the articles published on this website, but I extended it with material I present at workshops … and then fleshed it further into a cohesive and thorough approach to getting the best from your on-camera speedlight.

Particular care was taken to present it all with a logical flow in the hopes that it will all progressively help the reader attain a better understanding of flash photography.

So let’s go! Making flash not look like flash

Neil van Niekerk

If you need more direct help or instruction on flash photography, I do present workshops and seminars, and I also offer individual tutoring sessions.

If you feel that you have benefited from these webpages, then ordering equipment and other goodies through the sponsors and affiliates, would be a welcome way of helping towards the cost of hosting these webpages.  Thanks!

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