FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY SEMINAR

Goal of Course: To introduce the use of the portable flash with an emphasis on technique and creative application.

Requirements: Students are required to have basic camera skills: an understanding of making natural light exposures in the Manual mode is essential. (In our course offerings, Learning to Photograph and/or Beginning Darkroom Photo are recommended prerequisites) A flash is not required for first meeting, but intent to purchase is recommended-- the course will address buying the right unit.

Course Outline: Course will include lecture and discussion of the following:

I. Why use flash/ artificial light

II. Background Information and terminology

III. Incident light metering

IV. the Inverse Square Law

V. The Portable Flash: Features and function
- Guide number
- Variable power mode
- Sync speed

VI. Determining manual flash exposure
- Diffusing manual flash
- Bouncing manual flash
- Off-camera manual flash

VII. Automatic flash
- thyristor function: pros and cons
- Determining automatic flash exposure
- diffusing automatic flash
- bouncing automatic flash

VIII. Dedicated Flash

IX. Combination Exposures

A) Designating light sources
1. Key
2. Fill
3. Background
4. Rim
-- Determining Lighting Ratio
-- Flash and Ambient exposure
-- Fill- Flash/ lighting
-- Multiple Flash exposure/ slave units

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