In this article, we will guide you through the basics of getting started with the Profoto A1X to create natural looking images with flash. We’ll take you all the way through the basics of how to set your camera Startpage /Profoto stories / and flash, to create soft and hard light, how to direct it for dierent purposes and finally how to use gels in a creative way.

1. Flash photography for beginners.
4 tutorials with tips to get started.
04 December, 2019
Written by: Rebecca Ahremark
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In this article, we will guide you through the basics of getting started
with the Profoto A1X to create natural looking images with flash. We’ll
take you all the way through the basics of how to set your camera
Startpage/Profoto stories/

2. and flash, to create soft and hard light, how to direct it for di erent
purposes and finally how to use gels in a creative way.
We asked wedding and portrait photographer Paul Von Reiter to help us
demonstrate this in four short video tutorials using the Profoto A1X.
Tutorial tip 1
How to get started with flash
How to get started with ashHow to get started with ash

3. Step 1. Always set your camera first
Start by deciding what depth of field you want in your image by setting your
aperture. This is your creative decision and shouldn’t be changed unless you
actually want to change the depth of field in the image. For the image above,
Paul wanted a shallow depth of field, so he chose an aperture of 2.0.

4. To avoid a typical “flashy look” (where the background is dark, and the subject
is heavily lit by flash) you can let more of the ambient light into the picture by
changing the shutter speed. In the image above, Paul exposed for the
background to make sure that both the sky and water were well exposed and
chose a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second.
If you want to bring more light into the image but end up getting a shutter
speed that is too slow, it will create motion blur. In this case, you can increase
your ISO instead to work at a faster shutter speed.
When you’ve decided on all your camera settings, it’s time to introduce flash.
Step 2. Introducing flash / choosing between TTL and manual
When should you use TTL and when should you use manual mode? Once
again, this is up to you as the photographer, but we’ll give you some tips.
TTL/Auto Mode
TTL will communicate with the camera and automatically change the flash
power level depending on the surrounding ambient light. This will help you get
an even flash exposure no matter how the subject moves.
th

5. Perfect for:
When the subject is moving around: at events, on a busy wedding dance
floor or when you want to capture a shot of a child running around, etc.
When you want automatic settings and don’t want to worry about finding
the right flash power
Manual mode
In manual mode, the flash power stays in the power setting that you’ve
decided. Manual mode will put you, the photographer, in control, just like
manual mode on your camera.
Perfect for:
When you don’t need to adjust for ambient light that changes constantly
When the distance between the subject and the flash is constant
The photographer who wants to be in full control of the settings
Tips:
If you want more or less flash light, you can adjust this using flash
compensation in your camera (TTL mode) or by spinning the wheel on the
Profoto A1X (manual mode)
When you’ve exposed for the background using the settings in your camera
and set your flash to the proper settings, it’s time to start shooting!
Tutorial tip 2
How to create soft and hard light

6. How to create soft and hard lightHow to create soft and hard light

7. The short explanation
Soft light is the term for when the shadow edges (the gradient between dark
and bright) are wide. The softer the light, the less sharp the shadows will
seem. Hard light is the opposite, with crisp and sharp shadows. A larger light
source creates soft light and a small light source creates hard light.
How to create soft light with the Profoto A1X
Creating soft light with the Profoto A1X can be done in several ways. An easy
option is to bounce it into a white wall or ceiling, which will reflect the light.
But sometimes there is nothing to bounce into: the ceiling might be black or
perhaps you’re shooting outside. In those situations, you can use some of the
products below instead.

8. How to create hard light with the Profoto A1X
Maybe you’ve noticed that shooting outside in direct sunlight creates hard
and crisp shadows? The reason for this is that the sun is a small light source,
seen from our distance.
If you want to mimic the look you get from sunlight, using a small flash
straight on your subject will create hard and crisp shadows, similar to those
you get from the sun.
Tutorial tip 3
How to direct on-camera flash

9. The Profoto A1X rotates 360 degrees, meaning that you can direct it in several
ways. In the video above, Paul demonstrates three di erent ways you can
direct the Profoto A1X to create di erent looks depending on the situation.
Flash straight on subject
How to direct on-camera ashHow to direct on-camera ash

10. Perfect for:
Quick and easy portraits
People in movement
Fill light when you’re outside
Tips
Use TTL for automatic flash exposure when the subject is moving
Flash into a ceiling
Photo: Taylor Kinzie

11. Perfect for:
Creating a softer light (because the light source becomes larger)
When the location has a white ceiling (other colors may create unwanted
color casts)
Tips
Add the Bounce Card on the Profoto A1X to get a catchlight in the model’s
eyes
Make sure that the flash is actually hitting the ceiling so the light will
bounce back
If it’s too high up, it’s better to change the direction of your flash
Flash into a wall

12. Perfect for:
Creating a softer light, when the ceiling is a color other than white
Creating side light and some direction of the shadows
Tips
Make sure that the flash is actually hitting the wall. If it’s too far away, it’s
better to change the position of the flash
A Profoto Collapsible Reflector can also be used to create side light, if no
wall is nearby
Tutorial tip 4
How to be creative with gels

13. Congratulations, you have now learned how to set your camera and flash, how
to create soft and hard light, and how to direct your flash in three di erent
How to be creative with gelsHow to be creative with gels

14. ways.
So, let’s get creative!
As a natural-light photographer, you probably love the images you can create
in golden hour and blue hour light. And no wonder, the light it provides is
amazing. But as you probably know, natural light is unpredictable and can’t be
controlled. With flash, you can recreate this look, no matter what time of day it
is.
Creating golden hour light
The warm, orange light that appears right before the sun is about to set.

15. How to re-create it with flash
Step 1
Place the Profoto A1X on a stand behind the model (in the video, Paul is
using a Manfrotto Nano Pole stand)
Photo: Paul Von Rieter

16. Step 2
Add the Profoto Clic Gel Full CTO on to the Profoto A1X to get a warm light in
the background
Step 3
Attach a remote, such as the Profoto Connect, in your camera’s hot shoe to
wirelessly connect your camera and flash
Tips
Change the position of the flash to get the “sunlight” exactly where you
want it
Increase or decrease power if you think it’s too little or too much
Creating blue hour light
The cold, blue light that appears before sunrise in the morning and after
sunset in the evening.
Photo: Paul Von Rieter

17. How to re-create it with flash
Step 1
Change the Kelvin setting (color temperature) to below 4000 in your camera
to get a cooler background and to match the feeling of blue hour
Step 2
Add a Profoto Clic Gel CTO on your Profoto A1X to get a neutral color in the
model’s face
For more tips and tricks on how to use flash, visit Profoto Academy
Hope you enjoyed this quick introduction on how to get started with the
Profoto A1X. If you want to see more tips and tricks on how to use flash for
di erent purposes, check out Profoto Academy.
Written by: Rebecca Ahremark
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