Small Flash: High-Speed Sync

Step Five

Here’s our final result. In all, it took less than 5 minutes to create this image, at a time of day I’d have thought crazyto shoot in in the past. With a decent understanding of high-speed sync and small flash, we achieved a style of portrait that would have otherwise required a much larger and heavier studio flash to produce, plus the aid of an expensive neutral density filter.To take it a small step further, this last image was shot with the same setup, but wide open at f/2.8. We just changed the shutter speed accordingly to 1/2500. Yes, you read that right—super-shallow depth-of-field portraits can be made with a single flash, in broad daylight. 

In a future article, we’ll show you how to push high-speed sync to the limits and I’ll walk you through completely overpowering midday sunlight for a low-key lighting look at high noon. 

[tps_footer] If you are looking for some more information on the PocketWizards, just follow the link. You can see more from Erik by reading one of his books, or check out one of his classes here on KelbyOne.  [/tps_footer]