Using flashes
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| Off-Camera Flash by Captoe |
On-Camera Flash by -goob- |
Off-Camera Flash by speakelabs |
Studio Flash by RoninVision |
If you have a 120N or 120GN, there are some tips that will help you get the most out of using an add on flash with your camera:
- Move the flash away from the lens with a remote cord. This will stop the majority of red eye and harsh flash problems.
- Diffuse the light by putting a dryer sheet or a tissue in front of the flash. For you students; cigarette rolling papers will work too, and they even stick to your flash!
- Bounce the light off a wall or the ceiling, for a more natural diffused light.
- Colour the light with a gel or coloured cling wrap. Go one step further with the Lomography Colorsplash flash.
- You don't only have to use flash in low light - how about using it in the day time with a coloured gel for a nice effect.
- Put your Holga in bulb mode and use a strobe flash to capture motion in your pictures. If you don't have a strobe, uncouple your flash from your Holga, hold down the shutter, press the test button on your flash. Cover the Holga lens while your flash recycles, uncover, fire flash, then cover. Repeat as necessary, then release the shutter.
- Use the above tip, but try a different colour on each flash.
- Why not combine coloured flashes with coloured gels over your lens?
- In bulb mode the flash will fire twice; once when you press the shutter, once when you release. You'll have to let the flash recycle in between so pop your lens cap over the lens while you wait so you don't over expose your image. If you threw away your lens cap, cover the lens with your hand while you wait. This tip works best in complete darkness and when taking pictures of people e.g. outside at night with no street lights.
If you have a Holga with a flash built in, then here are some tips:
- Diffuse your flash (as above)
- Colour your flash (as above)
- Use your colour flash in the day (as above)
- Switch your flash off immediately after you take your picture, otherwise it'll recycle and flash again next time you click the shutter!
Help! I need a flash!
Buying a flash doesn't necessarily mean breaking the bank. A quick trip to eBay provides you with some great choice. There's the simple Mini Flash, the extravagant Colorsplash Flash, the hypnotic Strobe Flash, and the Wide Angle Slave Flash. All are under £30 if you shop around. There are plenty of second hand flashes available. You don't need any particular features so just get a cheap one to experiment with.
