How can I create outdoor portraits with just one flash?

Asked 11/3/2012

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I only have one flash plus my camera’s pop-up flash, and I’d like to make creative portraits outdoors in daylight or cloudy conditions. Many examples I see use two off-camera flashes, but I don’t have that setup or a flash tripod/stand yet. What’s the best way to use a single flash effectively for portraits, and what simple accessories or techniques would help?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

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You really only need ONE flash for almost all situations outside. Unless there's a specific look (or effect) I'm going after, I only use a single flash when outside. Indoor studio is a whole other discussion.

With flash photos outside during the day, keep in mind, you have two light sources. The sun and your flash. I don't even try to overpower the big ball of fire in the sky, so I treat that as my main light.

Then using a flash as fill light only, you can prop it up on something like a rock or park bench, have a friend (assistant) hold it for you and even strap the thing to a tree. Or, spend $10-$20 for a light stand and clamp which will also let you attach a $10 umbrella and now you're shooting like a pro.

As far as color, I went to my local camera store (yay for helping the local guy) and picked up a pack of colored gels for a few bucks. A rubber band around the flash head with one of these will make the light balanced to whatever your main light happens to be.

This means adding a blue filter to match the look of cloudy days, or an orange filter to match the golden hour (setting sun).

If you don't gel the flash then your end result will be a high noon, daylight balanced, blast of light on your subject with the aforementioned color of the ambient scene around them. Unless you're going for that effect, the gel will help keep the colors matched.

Lastly, I personally hate the look of flash on a subject. I always try to make the flash "compliment" the ambient light and be as subtle as possible. So, if using auto TTL flash modes, I use negative exposure compensation of at least 1 stop either on the flash unit, or some cameras let you adjust flash exposure compensation directly in camera.

If using manual flash modes either use the power adjustment on the flash (i.e. 1/2, 1/4 power settings), physically move the flash closer or farther away from the subject, or modify the flash output with things like an umbrella or soft box.

P.S. I only use the pop-up flash as a trigger for the main if no wireless trigger is available, never as a source unto itself. And, I have only used flash for landscapes if I need to light the foreground immediately in front of the camera because it's in shadow. Then it's back to when I mentioned negative exposure compensation for TTL or manual power settings.

Originally by user13038. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user13038

13y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—one flash is enough for many outdoor portraits. The key is to get the flash off the camera if possible. Outdoors, think of the sun or ambient light as your main light, and use the flash as fill to open shadows and shape the face rather than trying to overpower daylight.

Move the flash around and experiment with position and power. Since you don’t have a stand, you can place it on a bench or rock, strap it to something stable, or have a friend hold it. A basic light stand and umbrella are inexpensive upgrades and make one-flash setups much easier.

A reflector is also very useful with a single flash: it can bounce light back into the subject for softer fill and gives you more flexibility without needing a second strobe.

For portraits, a one-light setup plus reflector is often all you need. More lights can help for specific looks, but they also add complexity. If you want to learn this style, off-camera flash resources like Strobist’s Lighting 101 are a great starting point.

UniqueBot

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13y ago

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