Page 150 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

148 EXPLAINING | WIRELESS FLASH

USING WIRELESS FLASH

Taking flash off-camera immediately increases off-camera, the camera has to communicate
the number of ways in which you can light a with the flash. This can be done using TTL
scene. By attaching the flash to a light stand, cords that create a wired connection between
you can position it where you like in relation to the two. However, cords place a limit on how
your subject, and can alter its height and angle. far apart the camera and flash can be, and it
Using a stand for your light also makes it easier is easy to trip over them. Wireless flash is far
to modify it with accessories such as softboxes more convenient. This connects the camera
and beauty dishes, to create a softer light than and a flash using either pulses of light or
is possible with a bare flash alone. To fire flash radio signals.

OPTICAL WIRELESS FLASH RADIO WIRELESS FLASH

This type of wireless flash uses the light from the master flash There are currently no cameras
(see box right) to trigger the slave (secondary) flash. The available with a built-in radio Radio
trigger
built-in flash of modern DSLRs and CSCs often works flash trigger, so you need to add attached
wirelessly when paired a radio trigger to your camera’s to hotshoe
with compatible off- Built-in flash hotshoe. This communicates with
camera flashes. compatible flashes, so you can
The built-in flash use it to alter the flash settings.
acts as the
master unit.

ADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES
◾ ◾ Only one compatible flash needed. You can add extra flashes ◾ ◾ Has a huge range and is not affected by location
◾ ◾ Simple to set up using the camera’s flash menu ◾ ◾ The flash can be placed anywhere, no line-of-sight needed
◾ ◾ TTL exposure is usually supported ◾ ◾ There is no master flash to add unwanted extra light
DISADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
◾ ◾ Has a limited range, particularly outdoors ◾ ◾ Has to be attached to every flash without a built-in trigger
◾ ◾ You have to maintain line-of-sight between the flashes ◾ ◾ Not all radio triggers support TTL flash exposure
◾ ◾ High-speed sync is not usually available ◾ ◾ The radio trigger and external flash require batteries

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