Flash in Photography - Part I
/Flash has come a long way…
… from the days of blitzlichtpulver and ferocious photographic conflagrations. And the journey has been a fascinating one. That is the first topic we discuss in this comprehensive survey of flash in photography.
tiny xenon flash tube from compact camera
Flash - Lighting for Photography - Part VI (first half) Show Notes
Hello all and welcome back to Allan Walls Photography!
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So we have made it all the way to Part VI of the Lighting for Photography series and today we turn our attention to flash lighting. I very quickly realized that this was never going to fit into one video, or at least one video that anyone would want to watch! I have therefore decided to split this discussion into two separate chunks. In this one, we could call it Part VI, Chunk I, I take you through the utterly fascinating history of flash lighting - from powdered explosives that could burn you to death, through tiny electrical components which can electrocute you to death, to incredible computerized marvels that will plunge you into bankruptcy and leave you destitute and at high risk for the bubonic plague.
large studio xenon flash tube
Next I cover the basics of the science and technology that make flash possible. This leads us into the subject of flash power and the important differences between studio strobes and compact camera and speedlight devices. It is a ton of information, but I keep it moving and only get distracted once. Or maybe twice.
Throughout this video I refer to two flash devices that I use in my studio, The first is the amazing and affordable Paul C. Buff Einstein studio flash - a blend of analog and digital wizardry that delivers short flash durations, great color constancy, and a very reasonable price.
Please note that some of the links that I am listing below are paid links.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As you know, I am long-time fan of the Godox line of flash devices and accessories. This Godox V860IIN unit is my go to “speedlight”, and proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get consistent powerful flash. You can’t go wrong with the 60-Guide Number flash…
The newest all-purpose light meter from Sekonic, the Speedmaster L-585D-U, and it is the most capable and feature-packed light meter available. This will replace my ancient Sekonic, if it ever quits working (doubtful!)
So, with no further delay, here is Chunk I of “Flash”, part VI of Lighting for Photography. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it!
Thanks for watching! Hope you found something useful or enlightening in all that.
Chunk II will be out in a couple of days. Until then, stay well and be safe.
All the best,
Allan
All photography in this video is my own work, with the exception of the following images, attributed here:
1) Victor Flash Lamp image used under CC BY-SA (Race Gentry / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) and the original file can be found here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1909_Victor_Flash_Lamp.jpg
2) ”Flash bulbs" by illustir is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Photo by George Becker from Pexels