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| Jonas M. Rogne |
 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:43 pm |
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Joined: 27 May 2007
Posts: 176
Location: Norway
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How to take better flash photos
Direct & indirect flash
Using a proper flash instead of a built-in one drastically increases how good your images will look. Here's an example:
Click image for full view!
There are other ways of using flash as well, but this is the main two methods. An attached flash is always recommended; the further away from the lens, the better.
Flash & exposure time
If you're taking a picture of someone outside at night and use flash, the subject becomes illuminated, but the weak lights in the background are pitch black - ruining the great atmosphere.
To fix this you can use a long exposure time, but if you take picture of people and not using a tripod it will become to blurry.
The trick is to combine both; use a long exposure AND flash:
Click image for full view!
Red eyes
When using direct flash red eyes can be a problem. It is caused by light from the flash bouncing of the red inside of the eye and back into the camera. To prevent or reduce this you have the following options:
- Flash indirectly.
This is the best way to completely avoid red eyes.
- Use red-eye reduction setting on camera
This flashes or shines a light at the subject before taking the actual image, causing the iris to contract - letting less light in. Reduces red-eye problem, but doesn't eliminate it.
- Use a flash positioned further away from the lens
If the angle is great enough, the light won't return to the lens
- Move closer (increases angle between flash/eye/lens)
This is similar to moving lens further away from lens, but could easily lead to the closest subject being overexposed.
- Remove red eyes in a image editing program.
Can take time. Automated tools exist. Often requires skill to create realistic results.
Comments & feedback
Constructive feedback on this tutorial is welcome. |
Last edited by Jonas M. Rogne on Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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| blue |
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:54 am |
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Joined: 27 May 2007
Posts: 109
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EXCELLENT tutorial!
I want more on lighting!
I do not think I am the only one who wants to use uny's photography studio for future works. We need a photo studio don't we. |
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*** blue
She is not here anymore but doing fine at other forums with same name. Good Bye. |
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| Jonas M. Rogne |
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:10 am |
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| Jonas M. Rogne |
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:09 am |
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Joined: 27 May 2007
Posts: 176
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I think studio lighting is such a large subject, so would have to make it a separate tutorial. The problem is that I would need the studio to take the photos required for a good tutorial...
(A picture of the different pieces of equipment, light settings, example photos)
So, how about someone else make this one? Any volunteers? Damian? 
I'm not a student any more, so maybe there will be some good students next year that can make it...
I think the studio lighting tutorial should be very simplified & include the following:
- Difference between soft and hard light.
- How to light the subject - example light position (Two lights in front, one from the back.)
- How to light the background (the fourth light)
- What settings to choose on the lights (image of buttons & dials)
- How to make the flash fire (hotshoe+cable / on-camera flash)
People also need to learn how to use the camera properly (how to choose aperture/shutter speed/iso/raw/jpg. How to check the exposure using 'highlights' and histogram settings!)... People have been returning from the studio with overexposed final pictures, or pictures blurry due to long exposure (no flash, hah!). I'm sure next year's student's will do the same unless someone who knows their stuff is there to help everyone... |
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| Jonas M. Rogne |
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:33 pm |
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