We haven’t followed the Strobist Lighting 102 series in the past few weeks (sorry). This week’s post on Balancing Flash and Ambient light Indoors is important though. In my many years in photo labs and camera stores I saw lots of flash pictures with black backgrounds. A simple change to the camera settings can change that.

In the Strobist article, David goes through metering the ambient light and then starts using his flash at the standard camera settings. Every camera has a Flash Sync Speed; the highest shutter speed that can be used with a flash. Most cameras automatically set to this speed (1/60, 1/125, 1/200 or whatever it is) when you turn on your flash. Works great for the flash, but underexposed the background.

As you read this article you’ll see that slower shutter speeds reveal brighter and brighter backgrounds. When using your flash it’s the Aperture that makes the exposure. All the shutter really does is open up fully so the flash can fire. It’s important that you understand this as it let’s you know that you have control over how the background looks.

One thing you’ll find on many flashes is a Balanced Flash setting or maybe Slow Sync. Both of these are automatic ways to render more ambient light. Read your manual though as Slow Sync may set a very slow shutter speed that would require using a tripod. I’d suggest that you just use Manual exposure mode to control your camera.

Check out the Strobist article here and go try this method. Use it regularly and you’ll see much improved flash shots.