Photography is an art form that relies heavily on lighting to create the desired effect. While natural light is often preferred, it is not always the best option to achieve the look you want. In his YouTube video, photographer Taylor Willard discusses the ultimate budget flash setup to get you started in portrait photography when natural light just isn’t working:
Willard begins by discussing the limitations of natural light, which can be inconsistent and unpredictable. He notes that while natural light can be great, it’s not always the best option to achieve the desired look. He then introduces the ultimate budget flash setup, which includes a light stand, flash bracket, flash trigger, and a shoot-through umbrella.
Willard explains that the bigger the light source, the softer and more pleasing it will be. As the speedlight is small, it needs to be made bigger to achieve a more pleasing look. The flash can be made bigger by either shooting it through something or bouncing it off something. The shoot-through umbrella is a great way to make the speedlight bigger and offers more control than just bouncing it off the ceiling.
To set up the flash, Willard first makes sure that the flash and trigger are talking to each other. He then adjusts the flash’s zoom to fill the modifier, ensuring that the entire modifier benefits from the light. Willard then sets the flash up on a 45-degree angle to the subject and 45 degrees down, giving us Rembrandt lighting.
Willard notes that while flash photography can seem intimidating, the ultimate budget flash setup is easy to use and affordable. He encourages photographers to experiment with the setup and learn from their mistakes. Learning the basics of flash photography opens up a world of possibilities and gives photographers the confidence to walk into any situation and get great looking photos.
In terms of cost, Willard notes that the setup costs less than $195, making it an incredible deal for the versatility it offers. He encourages photographers to purchase the kit and experiment with flash photography.
Willard’s ultimate budget flash setup offers an affordable and versatile option for photographers who want to experiment with flash photography. While natural light can be great, this setup provides more control over the lighting and opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. With a little experimentation and practice, photographers can achieve great looking photos using this setup.
Like This Article?
Don't Miss The Next One!
Join over 100,000 photographers of all experience levels who receive our free photography tips and articles to stay current:
