Fix Flat Outdoor Portraits with Speedlight Techniques

Summary

Gavin Hoey's guide from Adorama explains how to fix flat outdoor portraits using a speedlight. Key techniques include choosing a location with shade for the subject and distance from the background, underexposing the background in manual mode, and using the speedlight to control subject exposure. Hoey details an off-camera flash setup with a softbox positioned close to the subject for softer light and uses high-speed sync to maintain fast shutter speeds. The setup aims to create flash-lit images that appear as natural light.

Key points

• Use shade for subjects and distance for backgrounds in outdoor portraits.
• Underexpose the background and use a speedlight for subject illumination.
• Position a softbox close to the subject for softer shadows.
• High-speed sync is crucial for maintaining fast shutter speeds with flash.