What is off camera flash ?

Off-camera flash photography is a technique that can take your wedding photography skills to the next level. This technique involves using a separate flash unit that is not attached to the camera, and is triggered remotely. This allows you to have more control over the lighting in your photographs, especially where the natural light is low such as evening time, or during the golden hour when you want to capture a sunset or starburst image. It can help create a more dynamic wedding photo. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at off-camera flash photography, and explore how you can use this OCF to enhance your wedding photography.

Below a sunset off camera flash image taken at a wedding in South Wales

What is Off-Camera Flash Wedding Photography?

Off-camera flash wedding photography, as the name suggests, involves using a separate flash unit that is not attached to the camera. This as you can see from the photo above allows you to have more control over the lighting in your photographs, and can result in more dynamic and professional-looking images. With off-camera flash photography, you can position the flash in different locations around your subject to create different lighting effects. You can also use multiple flashes to create complex lighting setups. The result being that you can darken down the sky and highlight the brides dress making the wedding photo more "punchy"

In recent years I have worked as an ambassador for photographic brand interfit. Interfit make the strobe lights and in 2019 I helped launch a new off camera flash product.

Off-camera flash photography is used by not only wedding photographers but also in lots of different genres, including commercial photography, portrait photography, fashion photography, and product photography. It can be used both indoor and outdoor.

If you’re interested in trying off-camera flash photography, here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose the Right Flash:

The first step in off-camera flash photography is to choose the right flash unit. You want a flash that is compatible with your camera, and that has enough power to create the desired lighting effect. Some popular options include the Canon Speedlite and the Nikon SB-700.

Use a Trigger:

To trigger your off-camera flash, you will need a trigger that connects the flash to your camera. There are several different types of triggers available, including wireless and wired options.

Experiment with Lighting Setups:

Once you have your flash and trigger set up, it’s time to experiment with different lighting setups. Start by positioning the flash to one side of your subject, and experiment with different power levels and angles. You can also try using multiple flashes to create more complex lighting setups.

Balance Flash with Ambient Light:

When using off-camera flash, it’s important to balance the flash with ambient light. This will help to create a more natural-looking image. To do this, you can adjust the power and direction of the flash, and adjust your camera settings to match the ambient light.

Practice, Practice, Practice:

Off-camera flash photography takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts don’t turn out as expected. Keep experimenting

There are several benefits to using off-camera flash in your photography:

Control over Lighting:

Off-camera flash gives you greater control over the lighting in your photographs. You can position the flash in different locations around your subject to create different lighting effects, and adjust the power and direction of the flash to create the desired effect.

More Natural-Looking Photos:

By using off-camera flash, you can create more natural-looking photos. The flash can be positioned to mimic the direction and quality of natural light, resulting in images that look like they were shot in natural light.

Reduced Shadows:

Off-camera flash can also help to reduce shadows in your photographs. By positioning the flash in a way that fills in the shadows, you can create a more evenly lit image.

Greater Depth:

By using off-camera flash, you can create greater depth in your photographs. By lighting your subject from different angles, you can create a more three-dimensional effect.

Creative Control:

Off-camera flash gives you the ability to be more creative with your photography. You can experiment with different lighting setups and create unique and dynamic images that stand out from the crowd.