Sony HVL-LE1 - Manual (Page 17)

On-camera flash
Off-camera bounce flash, diffuser, reflector
What is it?
A technique used to create
a studio looking shot with two
indirect light sources.
How to use it?
• Set the camera and flash
to wireless
• Position the flash on one side
of your subject
• Aim the flash at your subject
through a white diffuser or
simply use a piece of white
linen with translucent qualities
like a tablecloth
• Place a reflector or reflective
surface on the other side of
your subject
Where to use it?
When you only have one flash, but
want to create a studio looking
shot with two indirect light sources.
Commonly used for portrait or
product shots to get a 2:1 ratio.
2:1 Light ratio
Different levels of light on your subject can highlight detail and make
your photograph more interesting. These are expressed as ratios. In
this photograph there are two light sources; one direct (Key Light) and
one reflected (Fill Light). The direct light is about twice as strong as
the reflected light. Therefore we have a light ratio of 2:1.
03
01
02
one flash,
two lights
Being able to place the flash separate from the camera opens a world of creative
possibilities. We now have better control over the location, amount and
direction of the artificial light added to our images. With the flash on the camera,
this photograph looks flat with harsh shadows.
Now, let’s remove the flash from the camera and position if elsewhere.
The cloth diffuser was able to reduce the shadows, but the right side of the
subject’s face is not as illuminated as her left side. To address this, we simply
placed a white reflective card on the right of the subject. We now have a
single wireless flash illuminating a white cloth to create diffused light on one
side of the subject, which then reflects off of a white card to illuminate both
sides of the subject’s face. This gives us a nice soft light with depth and costs
no more than a single flash and a bit of ingenuity.
Off-camera Flash Basics
Off-camera Setup
For an even softer light, we moved
the position of both the flash
and white cloth. The flash still
hits the white cloth first, but then
it bounces off of the reflective
surface behind it.
02 Diffuser
White linen tablecloth. Translucent
quality allows for diffused soft light
to pass through and increase the
size of our light source.
01 Flash
HVL-60M for adjustable power
and Quick Shift maneuverability.
Attached to included stand for
easy wireless positioning.
03 Bounce Card
3' x 2' sheet of white foam
core board.
SETUP
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