flash modes

dandantheadminman · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:51 am Post subject: flash modes

so, what are the dif flash modes and what are they used for? I've heard lots of dif flash modes, such as fill-in, rear synch, front curtain, etc..

so can someone please enlighten me as to what eaxch actauilly means and what to use and when?

thnx

mikedeere · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:24 pm Post subject:

Hope this helps! If there's any more you want to know about then just ask. Smile

Front curtain: The flash triggers at the start of the exposure, just after the shutter opens.

Rear Curtain (or Sync): The flash triggers at the end of the exposure, just before the shutter closes.

Fill-In: The use of flash to illuminate a shadowy subject to allow correct exposure of the scene instead of having to over-expose the scene. In the example below the flash is from the left, filling-in what would be a shadowy side thanks to the sunlight on the right.

dandantheadminman · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

oooo i see, is that all the general modes?
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Hamish · Forum Veteran Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 1011

No. He forgot 'red eye reduction' mode Wink

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mikedeere · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 8:35 pm Post subject:

I was actually tempted to mention it! I figured it's about as much use as a glass hammer though for riding photos.

I was also going to explain slow-sync too, which is a further variation of rear-curtain flash but you can use front-curtain slow-sync too.

The shutter is open longer and then the flash goes off before the shutter closes. Usefull for long exposures where you also want to capture something sharp, such as this below photo as an example. It was a ten second exposure plus a slow sync flash to keep Paul sharp.

dandantheadminman · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject:

ooo i love that effect!
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duncan_g · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:19 am Post subject:

Ghost! Pretty cool.