Flash Photography Basic Concepts

10 Flash Facts

1. Every flash photograph is two exposures in one.
2. Fill flash can be used when subject is backlit or sidelit to eliminate silhouettes or shadows.
3. Flash exposure is not affected by shutter speed.
4. Flash illumination is dramatically affected by distance.
5. Your camera measures ambient light and flash illumination separately.
6. With automatic flash metering, the flash illumination is measured after the shutter button is pressed, and the flash output is adjusted accordingly. 
7. Every SLR camera with a mechanical shutter box has a maximum flash sync shutter speed.
8. Harsh lighting, washed out subjects and red eye can be eliminated by using diffusers and light bouncing.
9. It is possible to change the order of when the flash fires using "Rear Curtain Sync" or "Slow Sync". 
10. Removing the flash from the top of the camera helps eliminate red eye and unflattering shadows. 

Year in Photos: 2015

1. Label the type of photography it is. 
This type of photography is classified as Photojournalism.

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
Two rule of composition evident in this photo are rule of thirds and balance, balance because there are two subjects in the photo, and rule of thirds because the subjects are not centered in the photo. 

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo only has one light source. 

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

The light in this photo is ambient light, or natural light, you know this because the photo is taken outdoors. 

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

The position from where the photographer shoots the photo, creates a slight shadow on a small portion of the subjects' face, enhancing the photo. 

4. Explain what work the photographer had to do to capture this image?
Gain access into what ever area where the panic was occurring. 



1. Label the type of photography it is. 
This type of photography is street photography.

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
This photo has balance, because the two main subjects, are at the center of the photo.

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo contains two light sources.

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

The light in this photo is natural light, and artificial light combined, natural from the ambient light from the outdoors, and artificial from a street lamp, that causes the light to look uneven and in some spots the photo appears yellow.  

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

The proximity to the artificial light source, and time of day creates a dark feeling in the picture. 

4. Explain what work the photographer had to do to capture this image?
The photographer had to obtain access to this area, and use a tripod, to capture the motion blur of the people running.



1. Label the type of photography it is. 
The type of photography of this photo is a mix between portraits and landscape because the depth of this photo comes from creating a contrast between the land, and subject.

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.

Rules of composition in this photo are rule of thirds, because the subject is not centered in the photo, and contrast, created by the dark background and bright color of the young girls dress. 

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo contains one light source. 

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

The light in this photo is inferred to be natural, ambient light becuase the photo is taken outdoors at a graveyard. 

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

The photographer enhanced this photo by using less light in the photo, this increases the contrast between the colors in the photo and gives the photo a gloomy look. 

4. Explain what work photographer had to do to capture this image?

The photographer may have had to get permission to photograph the girl if she was a stranger.

1. Label the type of photography it is. Examples: 

This type of photography is photojournalism. 

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.

Rules of composition evident in this photo are rule of thirds, because the subject is off to the left, and leading lines, because the angle from which the photographer took this picture leads the audiences eye down the alley in the photo. 

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo contains one light source. 

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

This photo is inferred to have one light source, natural light, because it is taken outside, however may have a artificial light source creating the shadow on the girls face. 

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

The shadows created by either natural or artificial light creates a dramatic effect to the photo and evident panic. 

4. Explain what work the photographer had to do to capture this image?

The photographer must have gained access to the area where this panic was occurring. 

1. Label the type of photography it is. 
This type of photography is street photography. 

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
A rule of composition in this photo is balance created by the similarity of the girl and the portrait of the girl she has painted. 

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo has one light source. 

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

The light in this photo is natural light, inferred because it was taken outside during the day. 

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

With a high exposure, the bright light exaggerates the colors in the photo and adds a captivating liveliness to this photo. 

4. Explain what work the photographer had to do to capture this image?
This photographer may have needed a passport to get into this country. 

1. Label the type of photography it is. 
This type of photography is nature photography. 

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
Rules of composition in this photo are balance, between the turtles, and contrast created by the colors of the background and butterflies. 

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo has one light source. 

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

The light in this photo is natural, because the photo was taken outside and no noticeable shadows in the photo are evident. 

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

The photographer took the photo from a position that allowed the light to create a gleam on the turtles' shells. 

4. Explain what work the photographer had to do to capture this image?
The photographer of this photo probably waited a long time for the butterflies in this photo to land exactly where he wanted them- on the turtles' noses. 

1. Label the type of photography it is.

This type of photography is sports photography. 

2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.

The rules of composition in this photo are viewpoint and background, the photographer takes the photo from an angle that makes the player seem the center of attention, and background because its simplicity helps to focus the audiences attention on the player alone. 

3. Describe the lighting:

• Light source or light sources?

This photo has multiple light sources. 

• Natural/Artificial/Mix? How do you know?

This photo has both natural and artificial lighting, the natural light comes from the outside, while the artificial light comes from a flash, also evident on the other photographers' cameras, to add light to the photo since it was taken at night. 

• How did the photographer enhance the photo through use of light?

The photographer enhanced the photo by using artificial light that creates a spotlight on the player and his name on the back of his jersey, the obvious subject of the photo.

4. Explain what work photographer have to do to capture this image?

The photographer had to gain access to the game at which this photo was taken. 

Portrait Light Basics and Vocabulary

Rembrandt Light

1. What effect does it create?
This lighting creates a small triangle on the cheek of the subject, opposite the side where the light is located.

2. Why use it?
This lighting should be used when looking for a dramatic look. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

This lighting only uses a single light source. 

Split Light

1. What effect does it create?
This creates a split on the face, with half of the face lit and the other half shadowed. 

2. Why use it?
This can be used to create a split personality or dramatic look. 

3. How many lights or light sources?
This light pattern requires only one light on either the right or left side of the face. 

Broad Light 

1. What effect does it create?

The lighting creates a little bit of mystery with the small portion of the face that is hidden, or in shadow. 

2. Why use it?

This lighting can be used to either light most of the face, or hide a small portion of it. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

This lighting pattern uses only one source of light, with the larger portion of the subjects face, facing the light. 

Butterfly Light

1. What effect does it create?

This lighting creates a shadow under the nose and chin. 

2. Why use it?

This lighting can be used to hide the neck, or portions of the face that are not wanted to be seen. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

This lighting only uses one source of light, placed higher than the subjects head, but can also be combined with other light sources to lessen the shadows under the chin.


Loop Light

1. What effect does it create?

The effect of this type of lighting is to light the majority of the face and leave a very small portion on the side of the face shadowed. 

2. Why use it?

This can be used for a unique type of look, because it varies from that of the classic types of lighting. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

One light source is used for this type of lighting, a little to the side of the subjects face. 

Types of Lights and Concepts Definitions: 

Fill light- light used to soften shadows

Key light- main source of light in a photograph

Hair light-  accent used to light the top of the head, sometimes a back light with delusions of grandeur and fancy-colored gels.

Background light- light set up behind subject to create separation from the background

Shadowless- a photo that is completely lit, and has no shadows

Hard light- type of light that cast strong, well defined shadows

Soft light- creates shadows with soft edges

Grey card- a 18% reflectance card used instead of a subject for a reflected light meter reading 

Reflector- reflective surface used to redirect light 

Diffuser- device that spreads the light out evenly, and reduces harsh shadows 

Intensity- The "strength" of the incident light independent of subject reflectivity

2:1 lighting ratio- the ratio of key light plus fill vs. fill light only

Five Characteristics of Light Definitions:

Direction: Where is the light coming from—the front, the side, or behind?

Intensity: How bright is each light source?

Color: What color is the light—white, red, blue…?

Contrast: Is the transition from the highlights to the shadows subtle or sudden?

Hardness: What do the edges of the shadows look like?

Spring Challenge

1. Name of Tutorial?

How to set up your Canon DSLR to shoot double exposures in-camera

2. Save and post an example of the type of photograph this tutorial produces?

















3. What equipment do you need? (Make a list. Be specific.)

To shoot a photo with a double exposure, I would need one of the cameras listed below:

• 1D X
• 5D Mk III
• 7D Mk II
• 6D
• 70D

4. List of important things to do to prepare for shoot? (Make a numbered list.)

1. Obtain one of the specified cameras from the list above 
2. Press the 'Creative Photo' button to access the 'Multiple Exposure' mode
3. Set 'Multiple Exposure' to On
4. Set 'Func/Ctrl' and 'Multiple Exposure Ctrl' to 'Additive'
5. Set two exposures 
6. Change 'Save Source Images' to 'All Images'
7.  Set 'Continue Multiple Exposure' to 'Continuously'

5. List of important tips during shoot. (Make a numbered list.)

1. Shoot a silhouette photo
2. Shoot in Av Mode 
3. Set a wide aperture to ensure your shutter speed will be fast enough to shoot handheld 
4. Go to mode options and set "Select Image for Multiple Exposure"
5. Choose a base 
6. Choose an interesting texture for your second image 
7. Switch to Live View to see the overlay of both images to help you compose the second image

6. List of important tips on how to process in Lightroom (or other software) after shoot?

1. This photography technique does not require any particular processing because the double exposure is shot using certain modes in the specialized camera, mentioned above. 

Headshots and Self- Portrait Submission

• Subject: Does the subject look interesting/captivating? Why? Provide evidence from image.
• Yes, the subject looks interesting because of the focus of the picture and direct view of the face. 
• Content: Does the subject convey emotion or a story?
• The subject conveys a sense of happiness and self confidence. 
• Light: Does the image have a range of light and dark values. Are the shadows in appropriate places (not the face or at least the entire face.)?
• Yes, the image has a range of light and dark values. The shadows are in the hair, and the face is lit up. 
• Composition: Does the composition include more than one rule of composition. Which ones? Provide evidence from the image.
• This photo contains multiple rules of composition, including balance, and simplicity. 

• Subject: Does the subject look interesting/captivating? Why? Provide evidence from image.
• The subject looks interesting due to looking straight into the camera. 
• Content: Does the subject convey emotion or a story?
• The subject conveys a causal easiness. 
• Light: Does the image have a range of light and dark values. Are the shadows in appropriate places (not the face or at least the entire face.)?
• This image has an appropriate range of lighting with highlights on the face and shadows in the hair. 
• Composition: Does the composition include more than one rule of composition. Which ones? Provide evidence from the image.
• The image contains rules of composition including, simplicity and balance. 

• Subject: Does the subject look interesting/captivating? Why? Provide evidence from image.
• The subject is captivating because of the position of the subjects' head, the photo makes the audience curious as to what the subject is looking at. 
• Content: Does the subject convey emotion or a story?
• The subject evokes a curiosity in the audience, from the abstractedness of the photo. 
• Light: Does the image have a range of light and dark values. Are the shadows in appropriate places (not the face or at least the entire face.)?
• The photo contains a proper range of lighting, with highlights on the side of the face and shadows in both the hair and background. 
• Composition: Does the composition include more than one rule of composition. Which ones? Provide evidence from the image.
• This photo contains rules of composition including balance, and simplicity.