5 Off-Camera Flash Techniques Every New Photographer Needs to Know

Welcome to this comprehensive tutorial, where Pye Jirsa will guide you through 5 essential tips for mastering off-camera flash photography, tailored specifically for beginners.

Shoot with Manual Flash Power
If you're struggling with inconsistent lighting, ditch the automatic settings like ETTL or TTL and switch to Manual Flash Power. This allows for consistent power output with each shot, enhancing your ability to understand flash settings. The key takeaway is to recognize the difference between low power settings like 1/64 and high settings like 1/1, which is full power.

The Inverse Square Law Explained
When positioning your off-camera flash, understanding the inverse square law is critical. The law outlines how light intensity diminishes as you move your light source further from the subject. It’s particularly useful for shooting groups of people, ensuring everyone is evenly lit. If you're a beginner in flash photography, this concept is essential for setting up your lights correctly.

Soft Light vs Hard Light: The Role of Modifiers
Light texture is another key element. Whether you prefer soft or hard light, the MagMod brand of modifiers like the MagBox Pro 42” Octa or MagBox Pro 24” Octa offers the versatility you need. These modifiers help you control the quality of light based on the distance and size of your light source. For instance, if you're using a MagBox Pro 42” Octa, keep it 42”-84” away from your subject for the softest light possible.

Add Some Color to Your Flash Photography
Creating dynamic scenes often means playing with color. Using color gels like MagMod Pro Gels can transform an otherwise mundane shot into something visually spectacular. Whether using a single hue or a mix of colors, gels offer endless creative possibilities.

Mastering Multi-Light Setups in Off-Camera Flash Photography
As you get more comfortable with a single off-camera flash, consider adding a second one for more dynamic compositions. You can play with ratios, setting one flash at full power and the other at half power to create contrast and add depth to your photos. A good starting point is to use your second flash as a rim light, effectively carving your subjects out from the background.

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a solid foundation in off-camera flash techniques, from understanding manual flash power to multi-light setups.

00:00 Intro
00:30 First Tip: Use Manual Flash Power
04:00 Second Tip: Inverse Square Law
07:04 Third Tip: Getting Hard Light vs Soft Light
10:08 Fourth Tip: Adding Color
12:23 Fifth Tip: Multi Flash Setup
15:03 Final Image Results

[razerone]

You definitely have a knack for teaching. By far the clearest explanations of techniques I’ve found. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge🙏

[MarcusSortijas]

Love the rules of thumb you gave for flash power. “When in the sun, 1/1.” “When indoors, 1/ISO.”

I used to have to take lots of test shots to find the right flash power. Those rules of thumb will empower me to work much faster.

Excited to watch more off-camera flash tutorials.

Thank you for all you do.

[markburns]

Some flashes such as the Godox xPro trigger and the V1 and V860III have TCM, which converts the TTL flash power to manual after a shot. After converting to manual we can then adjust the manual flash power up or down depending on the look. Profoto also has this feature. I love it. I first heard of this from Vanessa Joy's book on off camera flash.

[germaindavidson]

This explanation of flash and camera settings is the best video out of 100, millions video of photography I watch it in my work time

[jerrym]

Pye, I just wanna say thank you for all the knowledge you share with the photo community. You are absolutely one of the best teachers out there as the way you break things down is amazing. Even when it’s something I understand already the way you also teach makes it fun just to watch and even still pick up on little tips along the way. Pye and MagMod hits another home run.

[furrybunny]

For a beginner hobbyist, your instructional videos are amazing tutorials. Going to Italy in a few weeks to shoot a wedding and very nervous about using OCF, but your videos are a huge help. Thank you!

[marydecaprio]

As always Pye, you explain OCF in such an easy, succinct way! Thank you and I hope you guys continue to make these videos. I always enjoy them. They really take the 'scary' out of learning OCF!

[marcosartori]

really the best instructional video on the subject of flash that I have ever seen .... Thank you ❣

[RY-mwbr]

This is exactly what a flash newbie like myself needed; concise, easy-to-remember tips with examples of practical application, which gives me a great starting point to build off of and makes me confident that I could actually do what you just demonstrated. Your delivery of the message was perfect! That's the ultimate in instruction my friend. Many thanks!

[MrsGrens]

Always love Pye's videos! I've shot at all of these places too and I love how he used the locations!

[Heiko_K]

Hello there -- very nice to have found you again on some of your great (and newer) videos. I always appreciate the elonquent way you present the material. Also, it´s very pleasing to listen to since your presentation isn´t ridlled with jumpd-cuts like so many other videos I find on YT from other people. Take care, Heiko.

[Penka-juli]

Thank you! Very informative video. Do I have to gel both lights if I am using 2 light setup?

[nevvanclarke]

Really like the way you did that and thank you for not doing it too fast some YouTubers they just speak too fast. I like how you put the camera settings up on the screen as well to give us some idea. I'd like you to do a video with a 50 mm lens as that lens that I use a lot for my portrait photography and I know it doesn't have as much background separation but I'm not the hugest fan of compressed bokeh.... I like a little bit of subtle fall off

[MortarMike]

This was wonderful to listen to while driving, I'm literally itching to get back into office and work haha, and I subbed!

[Nerdytimhieu]

"Wow, thank you for sharing this incredibly helpful content! I've learned so much in such a short time. Can't wait for more in this series – keep up the fantastic work! 🌟"

[gunnhildurhansdottir]

Thank you so much for sharing these off camera flash tips! I don't think I've ever been really inspired or motivated as far as flash photography. I am now and ideas are flooding in my head. Super excited to put this into practice. Again, thank you!

[afonsosantos]

Another great video! I would like to see a video on how to best use the gelling on weddings on those hard tugsten lights! :)

[captainkickstand]

I really enjoy your tutorials; they're full of easy to remember tips (i.e. 'in the sun, use 1/1') and they seem natural, like you're just making conversation about something you understand really well. Thank you!

[anandbaranwal]

Good lesson with all experiment with experience. 😮I like your way of telling Thanks for tips❤ Dr Anand Baranwal VNS INDIA

[PeteySmoothJazz]

Pye, another winner!! Tip numbers 4 and 5 are what I'm attempting to achieve as I've begun to work with gels more and more. Thanks for your expertise!