I had the good fortune to give a two-hour presentation on Canon Speedliting with Multiple Flashes a few weeks ago in the Event Space at B&H Photo’s NYC superstore. Thanks to the great gang at B&H, you can now watch my presentation on YouTube.
Click here for the HD version.
Click here for a standard-def version.
In the presentation, I talk about:
- the details of using Canon’s built-in wireless system (which is the backbone of my multi-flash technique)
- other ways to trigger multiple flashes
- favorite modifiers for small flash
- the set-ups I used in a number of my favorite shoots
For a more detailed look at how I shoot multiple flashes, including footage from a number of studio and location shoots, check out my Multi-Speedlite Course on Kelby Training.
If you are a student of light, then consider Joe McNally‘s new book Sketching Light to be a must-read. Sitting down with Sketching Light is like sitting down for a beer with Joe as he talks you through his favorite pix in a photo album. The conversation will wander, stories will be spun, jokes will be told, detailed insights will be shared, advice will be given, and you’ll walk away grateful for the opportunity.
Believe me when I say that Sketching Light is like having a conversation with Joe. I know. Truth be told, I owe a lot to ol’ Joe. Years ago, he opened my eyes to the potential of using big flash on location during a workshop in Santa Fe. Many times since, Joe’s hauled me out on memorable shoots. He’s had me translate his Nikonian into Canonista during workshops—in both New York and California. Joe also opened the door to my relationship with Peachpit Press—which lead to the publication of my Speedliter’s Handbook. So, yes, I’m biased.
Let me offer up the following insights as a Canonista >
> Sure, the book is Nikon-centric. Joe is Nikon-centric. If you shoot Canon, or Sony, or any other brand, don’t let this worry you. Strip out the Nikonian jargon and Sketching Light remains a heavyweight when it comes to lighting. (Unabashed plug, if you shoot Canon, my Speedliter’s Handbook will give you all the info on buttons and dials that you need.)
> Sketching Light is a book about the possibilities of flash and it covers the full spectrum. Joe shoots Speedlights. Joe shoots big lights. Sometimes you need just a breath of on-camera fill flash from a Nikon SB-910. Sometimes you need the punch of an Elinchrom Ranger. Sometimes you need one light. Sometimes you need to haul out every light that you can get your hands on. So many possibilities.
> There are plenty of set shots that show Joe and his gear in action. You’ll also find Joe’s signature lighting diagrams—drawn by hand on napkins and sketch pads—for nearly every shoot in the book. I recommend keeping a highlighter and a black marker on hand so that you can annotate your “aha!” moments as you read.
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My second online video course, Working with Speedlites: Multiple Flash Photography, just launched on KelbyTraining.com. Like the first course (on one-flash photography), this course was months in the making. Again, I want to give a huge shout of thanks to every Canonista who asked the gang at KT to produce Canon-specific training.
The course has 13 segments and runs 97 minutes. It covers a wide range of concepts, techniques, and gear that you can use to make great images with two or more Speedlites. I demonstrate how to set up the master Speedlite and one or more slaves. I take the mystery out of the Canon ratios and shoot multiple Speedlites in a variety of ways.
As for the topics that I covered:
- Introduction: The Importance of Shadows
- Manual Flash and Gear
- ETTL Flash and Gear
- One-Light Portraits
- More Soft Light Techniques
- Triggering A One-Light Outdoor Portrait
- Setting the Master Speedlite
- Setting the Slave Speedlite(s)
- Putting It All Together
- Creating Beauty Light
- Making a Key and Accent Light Set-Up
- How to Photograph a Group
- After Dark
Click here to read the details about the contents of each segment.
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Canon-Europe commissioned me to write a four-part series on Speedliting for their Canon Pro Network site. If you’ve not checked out the CPN site, you should spend some time there. The first two parts of my series are online now. Parts 3 and 4 will be published online during the next two months.
To create dramatic light with Speedlites, you need to think about two things: where you put your flash(es) and how you control the ambient light. If you move your Speedlite to the side, then you’ll be creating shadows for the camera. Think of shadows as being the way you reveal shape and depth in a two-dimensional photo. If you use a fast shutter speed, then you’ll dim the ambient light — which increases the effect / drama of the light created by your Speedlites. Compare the shot above to the shot below and you’ll see what I mean.
This past weekend, I held my Speedliter’s Intensive in the studio of the Seattle Photography Associates. SPA is the hub of a community of photographers, models, and other creatives. The gang at SPA arranged for two great models each day — which saved the attendees from being called out to model. So, as a gesture of thanks to the models, after each half-day demo session ended, I spent about 20 minutes working one-on-one with the model rather than one-plus-thirty-five-on-one with the model.
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I’ll wager that the part about off-camera flash that photographers hate the most is the connection between the Speedlite and the lightstand. Yes, I’m talking about you, Mr. Coldshoe. Either you’re made of metal (which can short out the pins on the bottom of my flash) or you’re made of plastic (which means that I’ll strip your threads eventually).
Meet the frio™ — an ingeniously designed coldshoe from the makers of the orbis™ ringflash adapter. For me, it was love at first sight. Upstairs, the frio™ is durable plastic — which means that the pins on my Speedlite’s foot are safe. Downstairs the frio™ has a robust 1/4-20 metal socket that I’m thinking will stand up to any amont of torque that I choose to apply when tightening it down to my grip gear.
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“To create interesting light, you have to create interesting shadows.” My favorite mantra has a new outlet. Dubai’s Gulf Photo Plus has kindly published my article Shadowing and Other Revolutionary Ideas For Speedliting. In the article, I share three fundamental concepts that I use every time I shoot. Click here to read it.
If you don’t know GPP, you should. Every spring, for a week, GPP produces a photo festival that attracts instructors and students from around the world. For a look at the workshops offered last year, click here. GPP also offers classes year-round for locals and produces FotoWeekend each fall.
Syl’s Portfolio
Long Off-Camera Flash Cords
Syl On The Road
Syl Teaches Speedliting Online At Kelby Training
Speedliter’s Handbook
Nearly 400 pages of Syl Arena's how-to and why-to on lighting with small flash. Shoot Canon? The Handbook shows you the details of how to work the buttons and dials of Canon Speedlites. Shoot Nikon? Nearly 2/3 of the Handbook applies to all types of small flash.
. Click here to read the latest reviews on Amazon. Click here for a detailed look inside.
Syl Writes About Speedlites on Europe’s Canon Pro Network
Rebates On Canon Gear
Speedliting Tip Jar
When you use the following links to click through to your favorite vendors, a small percentage of your purchase will drop into the Speedliting Tip Jar. It doesn't cost you a penny more. So thanks!
Recommended Books On Photography
Light: Science & Magic
Lighting Essentials
Lighting Notebook
Sketching Light
Speedliter's Handbook
Visual Stories