3 Things You Need To Know When Learning To Use Strobes and Flash in Your Photography

As photographers, light cornerstone of everything we do. 

We use it to tell stories.  It's how we capture moments and show emotion. It’s our creative partner.  And it's important.

Because of its importance, most of us have preferences for the kind of light we like to work with.  

Those preferences shape our style and if we’re in business, our brand.  

So when you are first getting started with artificial light, it’s essential that you understand how to create the style of light YOU like, so that the images you make are consistent with your style and “on brand”.

What Kind of Light do You Want to Create?

My brand is light, soft, and airy.  So that is the kind of light I like to create

But you can create any kind of light once you know the basics of working with strobes and flash.

Here are three things to consider when first getting started.

#1 Size

Have you ever worked with window light?  My guess is yes.

Well, what do you know about windows and the kind of light they produce?  

You know that big windows produce a big spread of light and soft shadows, right?  And small windows produce a smaller spread of light and harder shadows.

Well the same thing is true of light modifiers (softboxes and umbrellas)

One of the biggest obstacles people face when getting started with artificial light has to do with equipment.  What do you need and what should you purchase?  Answering that question comes down to knowing what kind of light you want to create.

Big modifiers (relative to your subject) create soft light with a larger spread, just like big windows.  

Small modifiers (relative to your subject) create harder, more focused light.  Again, just like windows do.

So, if you want to create soft light and/or a large spread of light, you’ll want a big modifier.  If you want hard light with more control, you’ll want a small modifier.

Easy. Peasy.

#2 Shape

The shape of your modifier will also have an effect on the kind of light you are creating.

Round modifiers, like umbrellas, create a round catch light in the eye that looks like the catchlights we get from the sun.  

Square or Squarish modifiers, like softboxes, produce square catchlights that look like the kind of catchlights we get when working with windows.

What is the look you are wanting to create?  

Are you wanting to mimic the sun or a window?

The shape of the modifier you use will help you achieve your goal, whatever it may be. 

#3 Distance

The last thing to consider when getting started with strobes and flash is how the distance of your light affects its quality.

This topic can get really complicated, so I’m going to spare you the math and the “inverse square law” talk and make it easy!

The closer your subject is to your light source, the softer and brighter the light will be.

This is true whether you’re working with windows or a strobe and a softbox.

So if you want nice, soft light, bring your subject close to your light source.  If you want hard light, move them farther away.

 Just don’t forget to meter!  Metering will help you determine where to set the power on your strobe or flash.

Hope that was helpful!

Download my FREE Guide

For more information on getting started with artificial light and to see what equipment I recommend, download my FREE BluePrint Guide!