An external flash gives you far more control over how you want the scene lit — the built in flash on your camera is usually only good enough to light a subject from a short distance and the light from the flash can only be used from one plane. This is another area where an external flash shines

External flashes can be taken off camera. This allows the photographer to creatively light a subject from different angles. You’ll need a way to trigger the flash and there are several good methods depending on your budget. The cheapest way (20 bucks or less) is with a sync cord but a better way is a wireless triggering system like the Pocket Wizard.

So if your budget can cope, an external flash is a prime investment and a stepping stone to getting you closer to the ‘advanced photographer’ status. For additional info check this link from our photography forum.

Galen Weston by Laszlo — Click to enlarge

Links mentioned in this podcast:
Laszlo’s website
Laszlo’s Paul Anka portrait
HDR Podcast #59

Assignments on the bulletin board:
January 2009 photo assignment — Warm and Cozy

Thanks as always to‚ Steven K,‚ Susan, Michael Van der Tol, landon9720, Yisehaq, Frank and Gary H who posted a blog comment about our last podcast and to all the new members of the bulletin board.

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Links/topics mentioned in this podcast:
My sleepy dog photograph
Sunny 16 rule
ST-E2 transmitter
Canon 580 flash series with the OC-E3 off-camera shoe cord

Thanks as always to Benny, Merman, Tmat, Yowzah, Tim and Sergey for recent comments and suggestions. We LOVE comments and suggestions so please send more.

You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet the Poet/Singer/Songwriter Leonard Cohen in Saguenay Quebec. I have always been an enormous fan and rarely does a week go by when I don’t listen to one of his truly great songs. Although we only spent a few precious minutes with him, he was gracious enough to allow us to take a few shots. This shot was my favourite of the few shots we took.

It was a hot sunny cloudless day and the sun was still fairly high which meant I had to be on the lookout for shadows in the face. I therefore set my flash to minus 2 which would fill in the potential shadows. This shot was originally processed in colour and I really like how it turned out (maybe I’ll post the colour version sometime). However there is something timeless and mysterious about Mr. Cohen’s music and I knew when I took the image that I’d likely process it in black and white. Also, his suit and hat were just screaming to be photographed in black and white.

I’d like to thank Leonard Cohen (and his UNBELIEVABLE ensemble of musicians) for the fantastic concert where he received at least 15 standing ovations, and for allowing me the pleasure to take a few shots. My only regret is that my wife (who is equally an enormous fan) wasn’t there to meet him with me. She was resting at the hotel since she was tired from the 5 hour drive from Montreal.

“This summer my family is going to the beach. Of course, I want to take lots of pictures. What is the best time of day? I love sunset pictures, but how do I take pictures of the people with their backs to the ocean (sun in background etc.) and see their faces clearly? ”

The images below (done really quickly with almost no post processing) clearly show the differences you can obtain using backlighting and flash at different settings. Personally I like the Minus 2 shot the best. You best see the differences in flash output by looking at the face.

Photography links mentioned in this podcast:
Accessories that you can use to hold reflectors etc. — photography podcast 35
Photography and the law

Thanks as always to Cindy, Jason and Alex Wilson for recent comments and suggestions. We LOVE comments and suggestions so please send more.

You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.