Pushing Flash Sync Speed

Pushing the Sync Speed?

Those from the B&W film era will remember push processing film. In digital we used to push the ISO in the days when cameras topped out at ISO 800 or lower. Today I want to demonstrate pushing the camera's flash sync speed. The result is a bit different from pushing ISO, as it is not uniform across the frame (okay, it isn't a perfect analogy). However, the effect is quite distinctive and can be put to good use.

Lighting Outside with Flash

Off Camera Flash Outside

Today we will take a look at using off camera flash to supplement natural light. I know that someone will wonder, why would I want to do that? After all, isn't natural light the best light? In my opinion, the best light is the light that looks best. Sometimes a reflector will work wonders for an all natural light sitting, but things are not always such that one can make use of reflectors. This is especially true when shooting candids and even more so when there is nobody to assist.

Natural Light and Filling a Background with Flash

Forward

The topic of today's post is a bit odd in that it just isn't the way most people use flash for their outdoor photography. Not that it is unusual to light a background, at least in the studio, but when the background is a shady spot outdoors, the usual line of thought is to put the subject in the shade and use the flash on the subject. In this case I thought, what if I put the subject in the sun, but light the shady background? Can it be done? Not that this is anything all that useful in terms of normal shooting, but if nothing else, it is something to throw in the bag of tricks for that one odd time it is needed. (more after the jump)