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Freeze movement with flash
One of the key benefits of studio flash photography over daylight is that you can use the flash to freeze movement in the frame. By doing this, it is possible to freeze a split second of action on camera, because the duration of the actual burst of flash is extremely short. If you are trying to freeze subjects with flash, you can set your flash synchronization to its highest setting (most modern cameras offer 1/125 to 1/250 sec flash ‘X’ sync), but slower speeds can be used as the flash output will take place only at the start or end of the exposure as it is so quick.
ED THE MAGICIAN
This portrait of Ed spilling a deck of cards from one hand to the other was taken using two flash heads with softboxes attached. The main light was positioned to Ed’s right at around 90° to illuminate his face as well as the cards in mid-air. The second light was set three stops lower and positioned at an angle behind him to add shape and rimlight to his left cheek, which would otherwise have been in deep shadow. A reflector close to the camera gives slight definition to his outline. With the lighting prepared, a few shots were needed to catch the cards at the appropriate mid-air positions. The colour image was converted to monochrome and given a subtle blue tone.
Canon EOS-1DS, 28–70mm f/2.8 lens, 1/200 sec at f/8, ISO 100.