What is the Relationship Between Flash Photography and Shutter Speed?
Shutter speed plays a unique role in flash photography, affecting ambient light while the flash exposure remains constant. In this video, we’ll break down the relationship between shutter speed and flash, explaining how it controls background brightness without changing the subject lit by flash. You’ll learn when to use fast or slow shutter speeds for the best results. Stay tuned for a simple, beginner-friendly explanation to take your flash photography to the next level!
These videos are from our Off-Camera Flash Photography Course.
Part 1 – Shutter Speed and Flash
This video explains camera shutter speed and sync speed, showing how the mechanical shutter works with two curtains. Shutter speed controls ambient light exposure but does not affect flash exposure, since flash is a brief pulse. This concept is crucial for balancing flash-lit subjects and ambient-lit backgrounds.
Part 2 – Examples of Shutter Speed Impacting Ambient Exposure
This video demonstrates how changing shutter speed, while keeping ISO and aperture constant, affects only ambient exposure, not flash exposure. Slower shutter speeds brighten the background, while flash-lit subjects remain unchanged. This technique helps balance background brightness in flash portraits, especially in outdoor or low-light situations.
