The non-integrated portable flash is an important part of the lighting used in photos, although it doesn’t have the same effect as studio lighting, does it allow you to get reasonably close?And with the advantage of being able to be used in this article, we will explain how to make the most of the portable flash function, its pros and its cons.
The non-integrated portable flash models that we will use as a reference are the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT flash and the Yongnuo 600Ex-RTs flash. The first is one of the most famous brands in the world, while the second is from a Chinese brand. The two devices are very similar in terms of design, in addition to having the same functions, menus and radio activation. The main difference is in price: for the price of a Canon flash, it is possible to buy two Yongnuo flashes of the same type.
- We have already warned you that.
- Unfortunately.
- The same logic does not apply to other products.
- We do not recommend an accessory like Yongnuo teleconvertors.
- As photographers who have tried branded products have reported problems with equipment overheating.
- The machine may cause minor damage.
- However.
- For equipment that is used separately.
- As is the case with the non-integrated portable flash.
- It is worth the investment.
- It can be observed that the quality of manufacture is good.
- With an interesting cost-benefit ratio.
For those who are just starting to use a portable flash without bars, all they need is a flash and some simple triggers. You will also need a flash lighting tripod and possible lighting modifiers; a compact option is the Manfrotto 001B tripod. Are lighting modifiers, of course, optional? Like filters in a photo. You can learn more about them in this article. Examples include canvases and diffusers. Another optional element is the gel to correct the color temperature, with these elements you can get a wide range of lighting effects (impossible with the built-in camera flash).
This is a first step in creating a ‘outdoor photography kit’. After that, it will allow you to control up to five groups of flashes through a main unit, in manual or TTL mode. In the case of flash models we have Use as a reference in this article, the controls are quite intuitive and easy to use.
Note that during outdoor sessions outside the studio, natural light plays an important role, so before you start using your portable flash, is it important to read ambient lighting and adjust the flash settings to complete that lighting?Without controlling it. A 2:1 ratio between natural light and flash is usually good.
At that point, the ability to control all flashes through a main unit is really important, so if you’re already using multiple flashes, you don’t need to make these settings manually on each of them.
In addition to controlling the proportion, it is also important to observe the direction of the light, that is, the angle it will reach. To do this, use the built-in zoom control of the portable flash. On the models we use as a reference, this control ranges from 20 to 200 mm. This allows you, for example, to illuminate the model while keeping natural light in the background.
As we’ve seen, there are several ways to get better results with portable flash, but the question of power remains. The Canon model we use as a reference is one of the most powerful on the market today, and Yongnuo’s similar model doesn’t lose much, yet they don’t reach the studio’s lighting level.
There is a way to solve this problem, when you need a more powerful light source, you have to collect three flashes on a pedestal and use a light box to focus the light. Isn’t it always the same as studio lighting? You probably don’t need such a powerful light source often, this process “breaks the limb”. (Now, if you need to use this technique a lot, it may be time to think about renting or setting up a photo studio. ) .
So, for the photographer who is starting a career; for those who do not want or cannot create a studio and for those who work mainly in external sites, for all this, the non-integrated portable flash is a valid option, just know and know how to manage your limits. do you use your flash?