We had some fun here, using small flashes to solve lighting problems around the house. You need a way to trigger the remote flash when you work this way. Nikon and Canon flash systems both come with remote triggering methods, and there are radio-controlled systems available.
Bottom Line: Small flashes can be hidden all over the place to solve problems and dramatize images.
Left
Right
Sticking a speedlight in the frig is a lot easier than trying to get nice light on someone's face from a 20 watt bulb that is behind the ketchup.
40mm, f19, ISO 800
Speedlight in the microwave puts nice light on Nicole — the speedlight was facing into the microwave, so that the light that spilled out is softer. Why is she heating up a glass of orange juice? Because it was the only thing at hand that was translucent — light does not diffuse nicely through a cup of coffee.
24mm, f5.6, ISO 800
While it is possible to photograph someone by the light of their computer screen, it is much easier to hide a small flash and bounce it off some white paper lying against the screen. (You can see some of the flash sticking out from behind the screen, sitting on the laptop.)
32mm, f5.6, ISO 800
In this computer lighting, the flash was past the computer, shooting directly at Nicole — it makes for a more dramatic look.
40mm, f5.6, ISO 800
Nicole is looking out the window, but suppose we wanted it to look like the sun was shining? See frame 6 to the right.
24mm, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 800
We set a small flash on a stand outside the door — it actually looks a lot like the sun is shining on her.
24mm, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 800
Reading a paper — the light was a bit dull. See frame 8.
47mm, f4, 1/60, ISO 800
We hid a flash on Nicole's lap, aimed up at the paper. Not very realistic, but much more dramatic.
47mm, f4, 1/60, ISO 800
Sticking a speedlight in the frig is a lot easier than trying to get nice light on someone's face from a 20 watt bulb that is behind the ketchup.
40mm, f19, ISO 800
Speedlight in the microwave puts nice light on Nicole — the speedlight was facing into the microwave, so that the light that spilled out is softer. Why is she heating up a glass of orange juice? Because it was the only thing at hand that was translucent — light does not diffuse nicely through a cup of coffee.
24mm, f5.6, ISO 800
While it is possible to photograph someone by the light of their computer screen, it is much easier to hide a small flash and bounce it off some white paper lying against the screen. (You can see some of the flash sticking out from behind the screen, sitting on the laptop.)
32mm, f5.6, ISO 800
In this computer lighting, the flash was past the computer, shooting directly at Nicole — it makes for a more dramatic look.
40mm, f5.6, ISO 800
Nicole is looking out the window, but suppose we wanted it to look like the sun was shining? See frame 6 to the right.
24mm, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 800
We set a small flash on a stand outside the door — it actually looks a lot like the sun is shining on her.
24mm, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 800
Reading a paper — the light was a bit dull. See frame 8.
47mm, f4, 1/60, ISO 800
We hid a flash on Nicole's lap, aimed up at the paper. Not very realistic, but much more dramatic.
