Nikon® Creative Lighting System: Digital Field Guide, Second Edition

Chapter 6. Advanced Flash Techniques

Now that you're familiar with the layout, buttons and functions of your Speedlights, it's time to get out there and use them in the real world. This chapter goes into a few of the most common types of photography that you will likely be attempting. This chapter isn't meant to be an all encompassing photographic workshop but to simply offer insights on how to approach the subject as well as different tips and tricks that I have learned in my years of working with the Nikon Creative Lighting System.

Mastering advanced techniques will afford you the opportunity to get even more creative with your images.

Action and Sports Photography

For the most part when shooting any type of action, flash isn't generally used. Most sports take place outside where there's plenty of light or indoors where you're generally too far away from the action for the flash to have much of an effect on the subject, which is why most people don't think about using flash when photographing action. However, a great reason to use flash when photographing any type of action outside is a technique that's been discussed numerous times throughout this book: fill flash. When shooting outdoors in the sunlight, you can get very dark shadow and very bright highlights. Your Speedlight can help to fill in these shadows, giving your subject less contrast.

Your Speedlight is going to be best utilized ...