I got hold of a Flash for a month. What stuff can I do?

[iSamurai]

My school recently bought a Sony A200 bundle, it came with a flash that sticks onto the camera.

Ok, I have a A100 and the flash fits on without doubt. I borrowed it for the duration of the holiday... Can you suggest some ideas/things that I can experiment on? I can either shoot myself or shoot other people. Na, just had to say that.

And also, the manual says that (unfortunately I don't have it) you can somehow put the flash on a mini stand and sync it with the camera wirelessly. Do I need some sort of flash remote or the camera just does the thing? Because I can do more stuff with the flash not fixed on the camera body. Thanks.

 

[M@lew]

I don't use a Sony Alpha, but you should definitely try off camera lighting.

 

[ChrisA]

My school recently bought a Sony A200 bundle, it came with a flash that sticks onto the camera.

Ok, I have a A100 and the flash fits on without doubt. I borrowed it for the duration of the holiday... Can you suggest some ideas/things that I can experiment on? I can either shoot myself or shoot other people. Na, just had to say that.

And also, the manual says that (unfortunately I don't have it) you can somehow put the flash on a mini stand and sync it with the camera wirelessly. Do I need some sort of flash remote or the camera just does the thing? Because I can do more stuff with the flash not fixed on the camera body. Thanks.

Two very simple things to try: (1) bounce flash. Aim the flash staight up indoors and le it bounce off a white ceiling. Next aim it at a white wall so the light bounces off the wall then hits the parson's face. Then aim the flash directly at the person and compare results. The eiling bounce will be very even light, the wall will make a soft directional light and the direct flash will look very bad. So you do not need to take the flash off camera to get off camera directional light. the "hot spot" the flash makes on the wall re-rediates the light from that position

 

[iSamurai]

Two very simple things to try: (1) bounce flash. Aim the flash staight up indoors and le it bounce off a white ceiling. Next aim it at a white wall so the light bounces off the wall then hits the parson's face. Then aim the flash directly at the person and compare results. The eiling bounce will be very even light, the wall will make a soft directional light and the direct flash will look very bad. So you do not need to take the flash off camera to get off camera directional light. the "hot spot" the flash makes on the wall re-rediates the light from that position

thanks for the suggestion. I found out that there's a "WL" (wireless) function on the camera that can sync the flash when it's placed on the side. I'll try something tonight...

What subjects can I shoot with a flash? I know you can use them to shoot portraits... perhaps still life?

 

[termina3]

What subjects can I shoot with a flash? I know you can use them to shoot portraits... perhaps still life?

You can use a flash anytime you want artificial light. Make it harsh or soft, appear natural or extra-ordinary. You can power up the flash and increase the speed to decrease the effect of existing light. Don't let yourself be limited.