Mastering Nikon Speedlights: A Complete Guide to Small Flash Photography and the Creative Lighting System

13. Lighting Action Shots

NIKON D4 ISO 400 1/5000 SEC. F/4

When photographing action and sports, you can use a Speedlight to freeze the action for a more dramatic portrait. This chapter explains the settings used to capture action using fast shutter speeds combined with the High-Speed Sync setting, as well as discusses how to show motion using the Rear-Curtain Sync setting combined with slower shutter speeds. Keep in mind, however, that using a small flash to capture the action creates an action portrait, and you shouldn’t try this approach to capture a sporting event as it unfolds. For example, you won’t see a photographer on the sidelines ...