This document provides a tutorial on using a single on-camera flash for photography. It covers the basics of on-camera flash, including starting without flash to expose the background properly, then adding the subject and using flash to light them. It also discusses off-camera flash setup using wireless triggers and softboxes. Additional tips are provided, such as playing with the direction of light, softening harsh direct flash, using reflectors and surrounding lights, and when to avoid using flash.

1. One Light
PhotographyThe Basics

2. Hello!
I am WS Toh
Being a self-taught photographer, I give
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tutorials.
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3. 1.
On-Camera
Flash
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A simple 4 steps process

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Always start a photo without the
flash. Meter the background,
and establish the base settings
on your camera.
STEP 1: BACKGROUND FIRST

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Now add your subject to the
scene. With the current camera
settings, the background should
be well-exposed, but the
subject dark.
STEP 2: INCLUDE SUBJECT

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With a little bit of flash magic,
that should “light” your subject
back into the scene. It does not
quite matter if you use TTL or
manual. TTL simply makes
things easier with a lot less
guess work on the flash power,
while you just have to guess on
manual.
STEP 3: ADD FLASH

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If the picture is still a bit off, try
compensating with the flash
exposure, re-adjusting your
settings, or change the
direction of the flash head. You
will eventually nail it.
STEP 4: COMPENSATE

8. 2.
Off-Camera
Flash
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Not on the camera? No problem.

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Light Stand
You know what this
does…
RECOMMENDED GEAR
Bracket
Holds the softbox and
flash in place.
Softbox
Softens light.

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HOW TO TRIGGER OFF-CAMERA #1 :
MASTER-SLAVE MODE
• Most flash units come with
a slave mode “by default”.
• In slave mode, the flash
fires itself when it detects
another bright flash.
• Problem is – you will need
another flash to act as the
master.
• Also, this will not work well
when the slave flash is
inside a softbox.

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HOW TO TRIGGER OFF-CAMERA #2 :
WIRELESS TRIGGERS
• Wireless triggers are small wireless devices
you attach to the camera/flash.
• The unit attached to the camera is called the
“transmitter”.
• The unit attached to the flash is called
“receiver”.
• There are units that can be attached to either
the camera or flash, and they are called
“transceiver”.
• These devices are preferred because they use
radio signals, and are more reliable.

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FIRST STEP OF OFF-CAMERA
SETUP THE WIRELESS TRIGGERS

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SECOND STEP OF OFF-CAMERA
SETUP THE SOFTBOX

14. 3.
Flash Tips
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How to flash. Properly.

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PLAY WITH DIRECTION OF LIGHT #1
FRONT LIGHT
This is not a one light setup, but just take it as an example of how
the positioning can drastically change the photo.
Front lighting is one of the most common and usually gives a flat,
evenly lit profile.

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PLAY WITH DIRECTION OF LIGHT #2
SIDE LIGHT
Side lighting usually produces dramatic photos. One of my
personal favorites.

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PLAY WITH DIRECTION OF LIGHT #3
BACK LIGHT
This is not a one light setup, but just take it as an example of how
the positioning can drastically change the photo.
Back lighting is usually used with another front/side light (unless
you want to create a silhouette). It creates that “glow” around the
subject, which we also often call “rim light”.

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• Direct bare flash hits are
bad!
• Usually results in a
washed out white subject.
• They are harsh, and they
are very unflattering.
• I call this the “nuclear
flash” (TM).
SAY NO TO DIRECT BARE FLASH

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If direct flash is bad, how do
we make it “good”?
• We soften the harsh light
via various means.
• Softboxes are the most
commonly solution.
• If not, the “budget” way is
to use tissue papers,
plastic bags, party plates,
cups and whatever you
can find.
FLASH HACKS

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Is on-camera flash not
working too well for you?
Need to balance out an split
“half-black-white” subject?
Then use a reflector to put
some of those light back
onto your subject.
BOUNCE THE FLASH

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Your flash is not the only
source of light! When you
are shoot outdoors, know
that the sun is probably a
stronger source of light than
your flash! Even when you
are indoors, lamps and
fixtures are also sources of
light.
NOTE THE SURROUNDING LIGHTS

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Need to spice things up a
little? No need to break the
piggy bank, cheap color gels
are an easy to use and
affordable way to make
some visual impact.
COLOR GELS

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Flash is not a solution for
“everything photography”. There
are times you will want to avoid
using flash.
• Babies are more sensitive to
bright lights. You do not want to
scare or injure them.
• You never know how animals
will react to sudden flashes.
• Objects with reflective surfaces
are bad with flash.
WHEN TO AVOID FLASH

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THE END!
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will find the full free One Light Photography
tutorial.