Lighting can make or break a shot, and sometimes, bouncing flash or relying on ambient light isn’t an option. Dark venues, black ceilings, and outdoor night scenes demand a different approach. Knowing how to use direct flash ensures you’re never stuck in a situation where poor lighting ruins your images.
Coming to you from Luke Cleland, this practical video walks through six essential steps to setting up direct flash for consistent results. Cleland explains how to balance ambient light and flash output to create different looks. If you want all the light to come from the flash, reducing ambient exposure using shutter speed, aperture, and ISO is key. If you prefer a blend, raising ambient light settings before adjusting flash power helps maintain a more natural feel. He also covers the choice between manual and TTL flash settings. Manual mode offers control, while TTL provides a quick, automated exposure—useful when you’re in a rush and don’t have time for test shots.
Flash positioning plays a major role in shaping the look of an image. While mounting a flash on-camera works, Cleland recommends using a wireless trigger to position it slightly off-axis for a more flattering effect. Another factor is focus performance in low light. Mirrorless cameras, in particular, can struggle in dark environments, making it harder to lock focus. Cleland suggests turning on the flash’s modeling light or using a phone flashlight to give the camera just enough illumination to focus accurately.
One of the final considerations is the zoom setting on the flash. Adjusting flash zoom changes how concentrated or spread out the light appears. A wider setting, such as 28mm, disperses light more evenly, while a tighter setting, such as 105mm, creates a more focused beam. This affects not only the coverage but also the intensity of the light hitting the subject. The right setting depends on distance, subject size, and the look you want to achieve. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Cleland.
