Flash is one of the trickiest but most rewarding parts of portrait photography. The way you use it can completely change the look of an image, and without at least a basic understanding, it’s easy to miss out on control you could have over your shots.
Coming to you from Ed Verosky, this practical video covers several key things about flash that are worth knowing. Verosky begins with TTL, or through-the-lens metering. This system takes a test flash, calculates exposure, and tells the flash how much power to use for the real shot, all in a fraction of a second. It’s helpful when shooting quickly at events or in situations where light changes constantly. While TTL can save time, it’s also important to know its limitations. Automatic doesn’t always mean perfect, and depending on the situation, manual adjustments might be necessary.
Verosky also addresses the common use of plastic or rubber diffusers. They work indoors because light bounces off walls and ceilings, creating a softer effect. Outdoors, however, they tend to be ineffective since there are no surfaces for light to reflect from. Instead, the flash works harder while providing little to no benefit. This distinction matters because knowing when not to use a tool can be as valuable as knowing when it helps. Outdoors, you’re better off controlling light directly or using larger modifiers designed for open spaces.
Another critical point is the inverse square law, which describes how quickly light intensity falls off with distance. Double the distance, and the light drops to a quarter of its strength. This can dramatically affect how backgrounds appear in portraits. For example, if your subject is well lit at 5 feet, a background at 10 feet will be two stops darker. This knowledge lets you control mood and separation between subject and background without extra gear. It also explains why small changes in positioning can make big differences. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Verosky.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
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