Work Diary - Multiple Flash

Evaluation

In this lesson, we worked as groups within the studio. Beforehand, the studio was set up so that we were able to take our own individual multiple flash images. Firstly, the camera needs to set up to the bulb setting with an aperture of F11 (depending on the lighting). The exposure of the camera depends on how long you want to hold the shot button down for. Whilst shooting the image, with the button pressed down, the photographer then has to set the flash off as many times as they would like during this time. This allows for the movement of the model to be captured in a single image. There are different kinds of lighting which can be used for this shoot, for instance either a soft box light, or a snoot light (which specifically directs the light to the person's face). As the groups in the class were quite big, we were only able to take a few images at a time, however I did manage to create a few photographs which definitely show movement. I enjoyed this shoot because it was organised, and the technique was new. This is a lighting diagram of the set up in the studio, I used two soft boxes:

This is the image which I am most proud of from this shoot, as it was the first time using this technique as well. To do this, I asked my model to move her arms up, incredibly slowly so that I was able to capture every stage. Whilst my model was doing this, I set off the flash as many times as I could during that time frame - and until the model's arms reached the top. I shot this photo twice, but in the first one, i didn't like the positioning of the arms, as I think my model moved too quickly - but also, the top of her arms were cut off when she reached the highest point, so the second time I had to lower the camera and make sure my model pointed her hands once she had reached the top.

I also really like this image, although it isn't one of the best, I like the dark to light transition from left to right. This gives the photo a sense of journey and mystery, as it appears that the model is dancing out from the dark into the light. I also really like that in the third shot the model's body is cut off, so that it looks like she is walking out of the frame. To do this image, I asked my model to spin along the length of the shoot, and set the flash off slowly. I really like that this image has captured three full images of the model.

Progression

If i were going to use this technique within my personal project, i would have to plan and create ideas about what i'm going to shoot beforehand, so that i knew which lights, how many flashes i needed to take within the shot, and how long i would need to hold the button down for. This is so i could shoot as quickly as possible and know what i'm doing. I would also like to learn how to set up the camera and studio so that i could do it for myself. As well as a studio shoot, i would like to try this technique in location so that i could capture people moving within a different setting, and naturally - which would fit more into my personal project.

Contact Sheets - Multiple Flash

Technique Page - Multiple Flash

How to do Multiple Flash:

• The camera needs to be set to the Bulb Setting, and the aperture needs to be set to F11 depending on the light meter readings. The exposure is how long the button is pressed for whilst taking the photo. 
• Whilst the button is pressed down, the photographer needs to press another button which sets the flash off as many times, and as fast as they want it too flash. During this time, the model needs to move each time the flash is set off, so that their motion is captured within the image. The slower the model moves, the more stages of movement are captured within the image. 
• The images can either be taken with a soft box light, or a snoot light (which directs the light to the person's face). 

Straight Images - Multiple Flash

Black and white -

Image Bank - Multiple Flash

Multiple Flash allows a sequence of movement to be shown in one image. In the images above we are able to see multiple images of the same person or subject. This technique displays movement extremely well as it captures every position of the subject. For instance, in the last image above we are able to see the model do a cartwheel, and at every stage that she has moved to do so. Therefore, we can see multiple images of her legs, arms, and body. I particularly like that the images are blurred due to the movement, as it also blurs the colour in the image, which makes the photos brighter, particularly amongst a black background. I particularly like the second to last image because the Multiple Flash has made the model look as though he has multiple arms and hands. Also, I like the first image because it looks as though the model has multiple heads, faces and facial expressions.