Intro to Outdoor Flash Lighting

This intro to outdoor flash lighting will give you the skills to manage your flash for outdoor photography.

Take the fear out of lighting your photographs in this introduction to flash photography. In this class, you’ll learn hands-on how to use your accessory flash better as we explore the Downtown Santa Ana Artists Village.

Professional photographers often shoot outdoors with their portable flash, on and off camera. It provides a powerful way to fill shadows and creatively blend ambient gently and portable fill light. This flash photography class teaches how to choose and use each workflow for your outdoor images and provides you with a new and easy-to-use tool to improve your outdoor photography even in the harsh light of high noon. Students also explore using this as a dominant light source in outdoor environments and further explore creative applications that blend ambient and portable flash light.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

If you’ve wondered what that silver plate on the top of your camera does, and you’re tired of your photos being too dark, or your outdoor portraits fall flat, or, if you’re a natural light photographer ready to take your photography to the next level with flash lighting, this is your course! Our instructor will simplify accessory flash use outdoors by demonstrating the techniques to get you stellar portraits and simplify your landscape photographs.

Students quickly develop the skills to manage and choose portable flash settings for outdoor applications and use this tool as a fill light source. They explore best practices for selecting the correct ISO settings, exposure settings, and requirements appropriate to any outdoor ambient light situation.

Students leave with knowledge and confidence in the portable lighting workflow.

TOPICS COVERED

• Portable flash as the fill light source in outdoor situations
• Power choices for outdoor lighting situations
• Positioning on and off camera
• Bouncing, diffusing, and reflecting
• Which cables to use and manual power adjustment
• Mastering the power settings

MATERIALS NEEDED

• DSLR camera with manual exposure modes and your favorite lens
• Accessory flash, battery, modifier (diffuser or reflector)
• Extra battery and memory card
• Camera manual
• Sun protection, water bottle, and your walking shoes

QUALIFICATIONS

• Beginning to Intermediate
• Have taken Digital Photography for Beginners or equivalent
• Ages 16+

INSTRUCTOR

David Laneve, CPP