Other new advances in technology offer the possibility to break new ground in imagery. With new technologies like “High Speed Sync” flash users have another new creative outlet. I would even suggest users have the chance to create images never before conceived. It’s a very exciting time.
Not to long ago flash exposure was limited or constrained by a shutter speed of about 1/60 a second or so. On some systems you might be able to go to 1/250 of a second. The flash fired when the shutter was full open, when the film or sensor was fully exposed. This is commonly known as X-sync. We were very limited to a slow shutter speed but not any more.
These days using High Speed Sync flash we can use our flash at speeds such as 1/6000 or 1/8000 of a second. Rather than firing once the flash strobes, synchronized with the shutter opening. In this case only part of the sensor or film is exposed, a slit, the flash strobes to ensure a consistent exposure throughout the frame. There is a trade off here, the faster the shutter speed the more the flash has to strobe to ensure exposure throughout the frame resulting in a reduced effective range. Following is one example of my use of HSS flash.
Anatomy of a street portrait, flash at 1/6000 second.
This meant I had to use the sky as a backdrop. So I (in camera) metered at the chosen aperture (f5.6) and had to go all the way to a shutter speed of 1/6000 of a second in order to keep the sky. My camera was set at iso200 and I was using of camera flash with a homemade diffuser
I must say I am very happy with the exposure and love all the diverging lines. It was worth taking the chance of being stepped on. :-)
Yeah it’s a very exciting time indeed.
Great pic and nice explanation!
ReplyDeletegood read brian.
ReplyDeleteSaw your post on Linkedin. I've said the same thing regarding the learning process with digital photography - I used to keep a notebook about my exposures and related info back in the "film days". But with the instant feedback from digital, the learning curve fell off a cliff...
ReplyDeleteNice post, and I liked your exposure, although the angles are a little extreme for my tastes.
I would also advise people to play with shutter speed - Many don't realize that when shooting flash, your shutter speed controls the ambient light. Dial it up, and you turn day into night...