You hear all the hype and people talking about OCF or off camera flash. But how does off camera flash work and how do you get started?
With so much hype you’d think it was rocket science, but don’t worry, it’s not at all.
We’re going to look at how to take your first steps into off camera flash. Nothing too complicated, just an introduction to get you started so that you can move onto the really exciting stuff later on.
What is off camera flash?
Off camera flash is just a term for using a light source off camera.
In other words, not your pop up flash, or one that is attached to the hotshoe of your camera.
For the purpose of this article, we’re going to keep it simple and just talk about using flashguns as off camera flash.
Also, we won’t get into manual settings for flash, so we’ll just look at using flash in TTL (Through The Lens) mode.
For more advanced information on where to place the flash, download our helpful lighting clock cheat sheet.
Further reading on direction of light:
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What is TTL mode?
TTL stands for Through The Lens and means that your flash will do the hard work of calculating the power output so that you don’t have to.
You just need to concentrate on where you want to place your flash and how to fire it.
Why use off camera flash?
It’s a control thing.
You can’t rely on natural light to show up exactly the way you want it in exactly the place you want it every time.
There are 4 reasons for using off camera flash:
- Fill light
- Separation
- Freeze motion
- Drama
Further reading: Flash photography vs Natural light photography – which is better?
Let’s take a closer look.
1. Flash for fill light
What if the light is coming from the side of your subject? Half of them will be in shadow.
You can use off camera flash to light the shadows. In other words, use it as fill flash to fill in the shadows for a more flattering look.
Further reading: Using fill light in photography – essentials you need to know
2. Use off camera flash to create separation
If your subject is in shadow and your background is in shadow, the lighting will be flat.
Lighting your subject with off camera flash will make them stand out in the photo and separate them from the background.
Further reading: 4 ways to use isolation in photography composition
3. Flash to freeze motion
The best way to freeze motion is with flash, but it doesn’t look good when it comes from on top of your camera.
With off camera flash you have the option to freeze the motion and light your subject from a flattering angle.
4. Create drama with off camera flash
Create striking images by backlighting a subject, as in the image below.
Or what if you want to photograph somebody facing you, in front of a great background with the light coming from behind them, and you want to light the subject?
If you expose for your subject, you’ll blow out the background. If you light your subject, you can have a well exposed background and a well exposed subject.
Ultimately, you’ll spend a whole lot less time working an image on the computer afterwards.
The flash, which is in shot, was set up off camera on a light stand.
How to fix off camera flash in place
So, it’s all very well saying take your flash off camera, but how do you stand it up? There are a number of options.
The cheapest and easiest method is to use the flash stand that came with your flash – if one was included with your flash of course. If not, or if it’s gone missing, they’re not expensive, so you can easily buy a replacement.
Once you slide your flash in, it can be positioned on any flat(ish) surface. Even better, if you flip it over you’ll see a thread underneath. This can be screwed onto any tripod, including a GorillaPod.
Another method is to purchase a hotshoe mount, which can be screwed onto a tripod, GorillaPod or a light stand adaptor (preferably with an umbrella bracket) and then fitted to a light stand.
Nikon speedlight stand. The image above on the right shows the thread underneath the stand for fitting to a tripod etc.
Off camera flash limitations
Whilst flashguns are incredibly easy to carry around, making them a very versatile and an easy source of light, they do have their limitations for off camera flash. Here are 4:
1. Shutter speed
Flashguns sync to your camera at a maximum shutter speed of 1/200, 1/250 or 1/320, depending on your camera. So, as with using flash on camera, you can’t go above the maximum flash sync speed of your camera.
Unless you have high speed sync capabilities.
If you go above the maximum flash sync speed, you’ll find part of your image will be black.
Further reading:
Flash sync speed – why there’s a black line on your photos with flash
How to use high speed sync – an introduction
2. Range
Flashguns aren’t massively powerful light sources, so you’re very limited to how far from the subject you can go, especially in daylight.
3. Power
Even with the better quality flashguns, they aren’t incredibly powerful, so when used outdoors in sunlight they may not be powerful enough for your needs.
You can, however, add more flashguns to the shot to get more power.
4. Recycle time
It takes time for a flashgun to recycle once fired, so you will need to wait a few seconds between shots.
This will vary from one flashgun to the next, with the more expensive models having a faster recycle time.
Off camera flash options
You don’t need to break the bank to get started with off camera flash. Just make sure when you buy a flash not made by your camera manufacturer, that you get the right one for your camera. So, if you use a Nikon, the flash must be made to work with Nikon cameras.
Here are some of the most popular flashes around today:
Or the Godox answer to the Profoto A1X, which is a phenomenal flash, but significantly more expensive, the Godox V1.
How do you take a flash off camera?
There are 3 ways to use a flash off camera:
- TTL remote cord
- Optical flash triggering (aka commander mode)
- Radio transmitters
I’ve listed them in my preferred order, ending with my favourite method.
1. TTL remote cord
This method is really easy and simply involves buying the cord which you attach to your camera and to your flash.
The disadvantage of this method is that you’re limited by the length of the cord.
2. Optical flash triggering
This is a fancy way of saying use a flash to trigger another flash. In this instance we’re talking about using the pop up flash on your camera to trigger a flash off camera.
If your camera has the ability to use the pop up flash as a trigger, then this is a really easy way to get started.
To use your pop up flash as an optical trigger in commander or master mode, you need to set it up through the menu. You can set it so that it doesn’t actually light your subject, but sends out enough light to trigger your off camera flash.
If you’re using a Nikon, this is called Commander Mode on your flash menu.
Disadvantages of Commander Mode
The disadvantage is that it applies to branded equipment, so a pop up flash on a Nikon camera will remotely trigger a Nikon speedlight. Likewise for Canon speedlites etc. The terminology and steps will vary from brand to brand, but it’s basically the same.
Other disadvantages:
- It works over a limited distance. The distance varies, but the range is up to 10m (33 feet)
- It won’t work if there are obstacles between the transmitter and the flash or if the flash is too far to the side
- Bright sunlight can prevent it from working
How to use a Nikon in Commander Mode…
Go to the custom setting menu and select bracketing/flash.
Then select flash control for built-in flash.
Then select commander mode to open up the next menu.
Here, use the dial to select – – for built-in flash so that your pop up flash emits just enough light to trigger the off camera flash.
Comp stands for flash exposure compensation and should be set to 0, which is the default. At this stage, ignore the Group A and Group B settings, make sure that Channel is set to 1, which is the default.
Now just concentrate on getting that flash off camera and set it to remote (Nikon) or slave (Canon) so that you can start playing.
Speedlight set to remote
3. Radio transmitters
The advantage of radio transmitters over using the pop up flash in commander mode is that radio transmitters are more reliable as they’re not as easily affected by bright sunlight.
It doesn’t matter if something is between the transmitter and the flash and they can be used over a greater distance. Simply attach the transmitter to the hotshoe of your camera and the receiver to your flash.
I’ve found Pocket Wizards great, but they’re not the only brand of radio transmitters.
Disadvantage of radio transmitters
The disadvantage of radio transmitters for triggering off camera flash is that using them in TTL mode (Through The Lens) isn’t necessarily an option, especially with the cheaper brands.
If you’re using transmitters made by the same brand as your camera, TTL is possible.
Types of radio transmitters
Here’s a selection on Amazon of the most popular options on the market, including budget and higher end options.
Just make sure that you buy the correct one for your camera. Manufacturers make different versions suitable to the different camera brands. The product name will indicate if it’s for a Nikon, for example, with an N in the name and Canon a C.
When I was still photographing weddings, I often used Pocket Wizards to fire two flashguns on lightstands on opposite sides of the dance floor during the first dance for beautifully backlit shots of the bride and groom. On other occasions my assistant held a flash with a Pocket Wizard attached on the opposite side of the newlyweds from me.
I’ve also used my pop up flash in commander mode to trigger the off camera flash on the opposite side of the dancefloor. In the black and white image of the child towards the top of this article I’d set up my speedlight (flash) on a light stand and when she wandered onto the dance floor, I took the shot. You can see the flash of the speedlight in the shot.
If you have a flash and haven’t yet tried off camera flash, give it a go. What’s the worst that can happen?
Creative off camera flash
Once you’ve got the hang of off camera flash, a whole world of creativity opens up for you. Not just for taking photos in places that were too dark for you before, but you can also add color to flash with gels for really creative portraits.
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