Blog

As it is a workshop, please do bring kit, but please would you kindly keep it simple because of space issues – such as one camera, one flash (SB-600, SB-800, or SB-900), and a lens that you would normally use for portraiture images.

Agenda for the session

Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers level of flexibility and control that provides a huge range of creative possibilities for off-camera flash and portable on-location lighting. Simon will share his in-depth knowledge of the CLS and 30-years of photographic experience, so that you can achieve professional looking portraits easily and swiftly using a minimum of equipment.

Simon will show you how to set-up, position, and control simple lighting that will have an immediate impact on your photography. He will lead you through a variety of lighting set ups with live demonstrations, so you will be able to observe first-hand how to improve your lighting techniques. Starting with a single Nikon Speedlight you will learn how to progress from the uncompromising light of direct, on-camera flash to well crafted lighting that complements your subject to best effect, then building on this foundation Simon will show you how you can introduce additional Speedlights and other lighting control accessories to expand your lighting repertoire.

Session 1

The simplest and most effective way to improve lighting with a Speedlight is to take it off the camera, as this enables you to direct the light at will. In this session you will learn how to:

• Understand the relationship between the TTL metering of your camera, ambient light and the interaction with the Speedlight and camera settings for flash.
• Work with flash output controls and flash sync options, so you can mix light from a Speedlight with ambient light for more balanced, natural lighting effects.
• Modify the light from a Speedlight to emulate the “soft box” look without actually using a sophisticated lighting accessory.
• Direct and control light from your flash on to the subject and avoid light spill by using some simple accessories

Session 2

Adding a second Speedlight will increase options and elevate the lighting possibilities to a greater level. In this session you will learn how to:

• Set up and control your Speedlights wirelessly from the camera position for effective and efficient shooting
• Establish a lighting set up starting with a single flash as a key light, and then introduce a second, or even third Speedlight as fill-lights
• Use lighting ratios for creative off-camera lighting effects on both your subject and background
• Set up multiple flashes on location quickly and easily using the minimum of equipment
• Use light modifying accessories to improve the colour, direction and quality of the lighting

Session 3

Exploring a few of the more advanced flash techniques will help you expand your lighting creativity even further. In this session you will learn how to:

• Apply Front -curtain, Rear-curtain, Slow-flash sync to achieve special effects when mixing flash with ambient light
• Adjust the zoom head of your the flash manually to further refine the light output from a Speedlight
• Understand and use the Auto FP High-Speed sync mode which will enable you to shoot with flash beyond the normal maximum sync speed of your camera
• Exploit the FV Lock feature for consistent flash results

Session 4

The final session will be an opportunity for delegates to practice setting up their own camera and flash under Simon’s supervision, while asking questions about the tools and techniques discussed during the previous sessions.

Tutorial Details

The availability of places for each tutorial is very limited, so that each attendee will benefit from very hands-on personal tuition.

The tutorial is from 12 noon until 4.00 p.m., and includes a light lunch and mid-afternoon tea and biscuits. The fee for each attendee is £155.00 with a special price of £95.00 for Nikon Owner subscribers. Please contact Gillian Greenwood on 020 7828 8971 Monday to Friday 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m..