Description:
USING YOUR FLASH CREATIVELY
If photography is "writing with light" then most folks use their on-camera flash like a cheap ball point pen, but it can be so much more! For many shooters, the flash options seem to be limited to "on" or "off." Some have evolved to "bounce" the flash … but don't really know what that means. We'll learn how to use a small flash (the removable kind) in all kinds of creative ways. We'll cover what "bounce" is and how and when to use it properly. Wouldn't it be cool to use your flash and make it not look like… "flash"?

We'll cover how you shoot in crummy situations without making your photos look crummy. We'll cover the physics (basic version only!), theory, habits and hardware you can use to make flash work for you.

We'll cover:
- compensation & power control
- color correction
- diffusion
- direction & bouncing
- off-camera options (TTL or manual)
- ambient fill
- zooming & snooting
- panning, motion and sync speed
- front and rear curtain sync
- using multiple pops (more than one flash from your one flash!)
- the "inverse square" rule and what it means for how far your flash will go
- Guide Number… what it means for buying and using a flash

This workshop is for anyone who wants to master flash. The goal here is to REMOVE the mystery and frustration of flash photography. The concepts  we'll learn are applicable to large "studio" lights, but we'll base everything on the smaller, "on-camera" type of flash.

Whether you're a hobbyist or have a job where your boss shoved a camera your way and said "make good pictures," This is a class for you. We'll start at the very basic and go into some more intermediate and advanced tips. This is not centered on any particular brand of flash … but will be based on a variable-power, removable flash unit. This will be both lecture and live-demonstration based, with the instructor photographing a model in the classroom under different lighting conditions. Plan to see some flashing! (light, that is… it's a PG show!)

You are welcome to bring your cameras. However, because we have so much to cover (and it's a complicated subject), the demo will just involve the instructor shooting the model.  Students will be able to watch and see instant results on the projection screen.

Click here to see some examples of Erik's work using a flash creatively!  For examples of what you'll be doing in the workshop, check out Erik's Flickr album.

Presented as a Lecture-Style Workshop:
These are our most affordable training programs, designed to introduce a subject quickly and efficiently. Students can take notes from the instructor's projected computer screen, and/or bring their own computer to follow along. Lecture-style workshops are normally held on weekday evenings from 6 pm – 9 pm and contain a maximum of 30 students (average is 8-20).

Instructor:
Erik Stenbakken is a commercial photographer based in Greeley who's been lucky enough to parlay his passion into his profession. He shoots for clients like Banner Health, Outlast Technologies, Ralston Purina, Nebraska Travel & Tourism and universities from coast to coast. He's been technical director on shoots for Nikon and Ford Motor Company as well as instructed several National Geographic photographers on technical aspects of artificial light and equipment. Before becoming a photographer, Stenbakken was a teacher and he still loves to teach. No questions are stupid, so come with your questions and frustrations and leave with answers and solutions! You can see more of his work at http://www.stenbakken.com or ask him pre-class questions by writing mail[at]stenbakken.com. See you in class!

BDA Member Cost: $59.00 ($69.00 after Friday, August 20, 2010)
Non Member Cost: $79.00 ($89.00 after Friday, August 20, 2010)
Become a member to save $20.00