This week we’re talking all about flash, including how to get decent headshots with flash, what to do when your camera doesn’t support high speed sync for flash, and wireless flash systems that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

Here are this week’s questions:

Jeff:

Hi. I very much enjoy your videos and I’m learning a ton.

Actors frequently ask me to do headshots for them and many times I end up getting raccoon eyes – the heavy, dark shadows under the lower eye. I’ve read that it’s best to avoid flash since it has an unnatural look, but at the same time, the raccoon look is really unflattering. Should I buy a reflector, use an off camera flash, pose them differently?

Can you send a few nuggets of wisdom my way? I did some research on bounce flash, but I can’t find a video or illustration that shows the proper placement of the flash in relationship to the model.
Bernadette Johnston:

I have a Nikon d5200 which is not capable of high speed sync when using a flash in bright sun light for filling in shadows. Are there any alternatives that I can use when the shutter speed is above 200th of a second and I need to illuminate the subject.
Brad Dassey:

Looking for inexpensive option and opinions on getting a wireless flash kit for my Canon Rebel t5i. This local camera shop says I can get their new, “Nissin Di 700a flash with wireless trigger up to 30 feet away, Air 1 commander wireless for $299.99 seems high priced. But he says I can set up 12 flashes if I wanted to one single wireless transmitter. Looking to get something a bit cheaper, but good quality and on the same level. Seems like this Nissin brand is fairly new.

Links to flashes mentioned in the video:

Nissin Di 700 A + Air 1 Commander: http://amzn.to/1Rxi0K1
Yongnuo YN 568 TTL Flash for: http://amzn.to/1IeIn6Q
Aperlite YH-700C: http://amzn.to/1Rxi9gB