Working with flash intimidates a lot of photographers, but it is well worth taking the time to learn it, as it will make you a vastly more versatile photographer and enable new creative opportunities that simply would not be possible with only natural light. This excellent video tutorial will help you learn the basics of flash through examples and have you up and running in no time.
Coming to you from Gary Gough, this great video tutorial will show you the ins and outs of working with flash. It really is worth taking the time to learn flash, but it is also important to go about it the right way. The best method is to start with a single light, as this will allow you to learn the basics of the way light behaves (things like how the size of the source affects the hardness of light or the inverse square law) far more easily. Once you get comfortable with that, you will find it way easier to tackle more complex multi-light setups. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gough.
If you would like to continue learning about how to work with artificial light, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
This is not a beginner's guide to working with flash; it's a beginner's guide to working with OFF CAMERA FLASH.
This is a beginner's guide to off camera flash, not actually a beginner's guide to flash itself.