Sometimes wonderful moments happen in beautiful light, but very often they don’t. Regardless of how great your camera’s high ISO capabilities are or how good you are at working in low light, there are times when there just isn’t enough light to get the shot you want. No home has perfect light in every room at every hour of the day and some homes have no light in every room at every hour of the day (mine!).
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If you’ve ever found yourself wishing that you could knock out a wall and create a window or move to a house that has better light, this workshop is for you. If you’re a professional photographer who worries about arriving at a client’s home only to find that the only room with any light is the master bath, this workshop is for you too. With on-camera, TTL flash you can create a window wherever you want (and it’s easier than you think). Knowing that you can create beautiful light and take wonderful images wherever you are will give you confidence and take your photography to the next level.
When
September 23-October 20
This four week course will take place in a private online classroom that will be open to you 24/7.
What will be covered
*flash modes with a focus on TTL
*metering modes
*white balance
*getting perfect exposure with flash
*balancing flash with ambient light to create natural looking light
*focusing with flash
*bounce techniques
*using flash modifiers
*using on camera flash outside both as fill and the main light
*high sync speed
What you get
*a weekly PDF with a lesson and an assignment/exercise
*detailed and personalized instruction and critique from me
*teaching assistants (Jessica Gwozdz and Dana Tate), will also give you feedback on your assignment each week
*access to a virtual classroom where you can post questions and I will answer them as soon as possible.
*share ideas and questions with other participants. See their homework and read my thoughts on their work to learn even more.
*2 group video chat sessions with me (up to one hour each). The sessions will be recorded so that if you cannot attend, you can watch it later. These sessions will take place after week 2 and after week 4.
What you need
In order to get the most out of this class, you must have a mastery of technical basics (exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc..). You will need a DSLR camera, lens and a speedlight that has TTL capabilities (Canon or Nikon is recommended) and can swivel and tilt. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments before signing up.
What people are saying
I am no longer afraid of my speedlight! Sarah explained on camera flash in a simple and easy to understand way with perfect examples in the PDF’s! Sarah taught us that you can use your speedlight to create a window ANYWHERE! Thanks for a wonderful class! – Katie
I had my speedlight for four years before I took Sarah’s class. I had taken another workshop and I had read a few books, but I never really knew what I was doing with it. Sometimes my photos came out ok, but most of the time they didn’t. In the very first week I learned so much. A new world unfolded with each week’s lesson. Even though the information was quite technical, Sarah broke it down and made it so understandable. By the end of the four weeks I understood exactly how to use my flash to achieve correct exposure in just about any situation. Sarah is an excellent teacher. Her presence in the Q&A and Picture Share threads was outstanding. More than any other workshop I’ve ever taken, Sarah was available and extremely forthcoming with information. The exchanges in those threads were almost as valuable and enlightening as the information in the PDFs. I use my flash quite often now, and confidently, and it is thanks to Sarah and this class. -Diana
Love natural light but hate when there isn’t enough? This workshop will set you free from that frustration as Sarah patiently teaches how to use on camera flash to supplement available light or even provide all the light, if needed. Sarah’s effective teaching style along with the weekly lessons and assignments , build basic lighting concepts and skills in a non-intimidating and achievable manner for speedlight newbies. If you need an kick start to understanding on camera flash lighting and using it effectively to supplement your natural light shooting, this is the class for you!- Janet
Cost
$300 for Active Participation. Active Participants will have all of the benefits listed under “What you Get”.
$150 for Silent Participation. Silent Participants will be able to view the forum and download materials. They will not be able to ask questions or submit assignments for critique and cannot participate in the video chat sessions. They will be able to see the question and answer forum, Active Participant’s assignments and critiques and watch the recorded video chat sessions.
ErinHi Sarah – I only have a little Nikon SB400, which can only tilt in 4 steps (60, 75, 90 degrees and horizontal). Would this work or should I upgrade my flash before signing up for the workshop? Thanks!
sarahHi Erin! I would recommend that you upgrade your flash. I believe that the SB400 tilts but doesn’t rotate/swivel so you can’t bounce it which basically makes it a large pop up flash. 🙂 You’ll get much better results with a flash that swivels.
Heather MeyerI have a canon 430ex ?? I think?
sarahHi Heather, the 430EX is a great flash. Many people who have taken the WS in the past use it. The materials really aren’t specific to a particular flash unit. They’re concepts that you can use with any flash that has TTL mode.
Julie VanDasselaarHi Sarah- I was wondering if you will be offering this class more often? Also what flash do you recommend I buy to put on my D600?
Cheers, Julie
sarahHi Julie! The class will definitely be offered again but probably not until January of 2014. The Nikon SB700 is a good starter flash but if you can afford the SB910, I don’t you will regret going for it. I also think if you can find a used SB900 it’s a good option (I use one and like it a lot).
JulieThank-you. I will keep my eyes open for the class in January. Until then I will be on the hunt for the flash 🙂
sarahSounds good! Let me know if you have any other questions!
CamilleI didn’t know anything about flash before I took this class. All I can say is that this a great class. I learned how to take photos without them looking flashy. I mainly use natural light but really there are times when there isnt enough light so I am equipped with my speedlight knowledge. Sarah is a great teacher and she explaing things very well!
WhitneyWill you be able to provide a “proof of completion” certificate or email for a full participation student who completes this course? I was planning to take this from you on the other site before, and I still want to now, but in order to be reimbursed via our tuition assistance program, I will need proof of completion from the instructor. Please let me know as soon as possible, and, if affirmative, I will register.
Thanks!
Whitney
sarahHi Whitney, I’ve done these for people in the past. If you provide me with the language, I will put it on letterhead and sign it. 🙂
Emily RollingHi Sarah! What recommendations would you have for my canon 6D? I will be on the lookout for the January class…do you have an email list?
sarahHi Emily, You really can’t go wrong with the Canon flashes. The 430EX II is a great entry level option and will do everything you need it to do. If you think you might want to learn of camera flash it might be worth going for the 600EX-RT Hope that helps! Please LMK if you have any other questions. 🙂
GenevieveHi Sara. When is the next run for your class? I’m already doing a workshop in September. Any chances in December?
sarahHi Genevieve, The next run will likely not be until January. Hope to see you then! If you haven’t joined my mailing list, you can sign up here. There are some exciting things in the works and I’d love to be able to keep you updated! Thanks for your interest.
Sarah Phillips Photography | On-Camera Flash for Beginners | Just a Few Spots Left[…] Click HERE […]
Dana Schaeffer StavanaHi Sarah! I just signed up for silent participation but used my husband’s email address for the paypal. Do you need something else from me so I can get the materials? thanks!! Dana
sarahHi Dana! I’m about to send you an email with information about setting up an account! Thanks for signing up! I’m so excited to get started!
sarahHi Dana! The email connected to your PayPal account bounced back to me so I’m going to send it to the email you used to leave a comment. Please LMK if you don’t get it!
KatieHi Sarah. I have a Canon 6D and am going to purchase the 430exii flash before this class. I would also like to go ahead and get a light modifier and am considering a gary fong modifier. Any recommendations? I’ll be using these mostly for indoor event coverage and perhaps a wedding or two. Thanks!
sarahHi Katie, When I can’t bounce, I use a Gary Fong collapsible Lightsphere. Most of the time I used bounced flash and I love Neil van Niekerk’s black foamy thing. We’ll be making one in week 3.
AnnieHello Sarah, if I signed up for the Silent Participation, just wanted to make sure I can actually watch the video chat sessions, just not participate by asking questions, etc? Thanks
sarahHi Annie, Yes, the chat will be recorded and you will be able to download it after it takes place. Please LMK if you have any other questions.
MaryHi Sarah, I procrastinated long enough to sign up for your work shop, I hope I’m not to late for the SA!!
sarahNot too late!
MaryYay!! Heading over to up :). I am so excited to take your work shop!
Mary**to sign up
IngaHi Sarah, I desperately need to learn how to use a speedlight and wondered if it was too late to sign up even just as study along? I have a Nikon D700 but not sure what speedlight to get, any suggestions? Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up 🙂
sarahIt’s not too late! We started Monday but the first week is light and you won’t have trouble catching up. 🙂
KiraHi Sarah, when will your next class be offered? Also, I’m sure this is a super beginner question, but is off camera flash just when you use the speed light and trigger it wirelessly, or is it a different kind of flash?
sarahHi Kira, The next run will likely be in January. 🙂 This class teaches you how to use a speedlight on-camera. Yes, off-camera flash refers to taking the flash off the camera and triggering it wirelessly (you can use a cable too)/
BrigetteFInally added a speedlight to my bag so I can’t wait until the next run!