Check out this free flash photography course for headshots and portraits

With the prolific use of flash in photography these days, and the amount of information that is out there, you’d think it would be quite a simple task by now for somebody to figure out a path for their lighting needs. But because there’s so much information out there, newer users can actually find flash quite intimidating.

In this four-part video series, photographer Ed Verosky goes through a complete crash course on flash. He starts off with the basics of using your flash on the camera, through getting it off the camera in a studio environment, to taking it out into the wild and mixing it with existing lighting.

In the first part of the series, Ed goes over the various aspects of using on-camera flash, where many photographers begin their journey with flash.

1. Introduction
2. On-camera flash basics
3. On-camera flash modifiers
4. On-camera flash techniques

In Part 2, Ed follows the natural evolution of most photographers learning flash. He gets the flash off the camera to explain the principles of how flash works off camera. There are a few technical things in here, so, you might have to watch parts of it two or three times to understand it. But, Ed breaks it down into easy-to-understand chunks.

1. Getting started with off-camera flash
2. Off-camera flash gear recommendations
3. Off-camera flash triggering
4. One-light portrait techniques

In part 3, Ed walks us through several lighting setups in the studio, explaining the reasoning for his choices, and how they affect the shot.

• Two-light setups: Three uses for a second light
• Three-point lighting setups
• Other multiple light setups
• Background lighting

In the final section, Ed covers mixed lighting situations where you might be combining flash with daylight or indoor lighting, as well as other important aspects of working with flash.

1. Mixed lighting
2. Flash for outdoor portraits
3. Your default flash settings
4. Environmental portraits

If there’s anything in the above videos that gets a bit technical, just watch that bit over a few times, or go back to it later as you start to understand more. And if you still have questions, Ed has a Facebook group where you can ask them.

Overall, the series makes for a great introduction to those new to flash or who haven’t tried it yet, to the principles and uses of flash in portrait photography.

[via ISO1200]