5 Off-Camera Flash Techniques Every New Photographer Needs to Know

Welcome to this comprehensive tutorial, where Pye Jirsa will guide you through 5 essential tips for mastering off-camera flash photography, tailored specifically for beginners.
Shoot with Manual Flash Power
If you're struggling with inconsistent lighting, ditch the automatic settings like ETTL or TTL and switch to Manual Flash Power. This allows for consistent power output with each shot, enhancing your ability to understand flash settings. The key takeaway is to recognize the difference between low power settings like 1/64 and high settings like 1/1, which is full power.
The Inverse Square Law Explained
When positioning your off-camera flash, understanding the inverse square law is critical. The law outlines how light intensity diminishes as you move your light source further from the subject. It’s particularly useful for shooting groups of people, ensuring everyone is evenly lit. If you're a beginner in flash photography, this concept is essential for setting up your lights correctly.
Soft Light vs Hard Light: The Role of Modifiers
Light texture is another key element. Whether you prefer soft or hard light, the MagMod brand of modifiers like the MagBox Pro 42” Octa or MagBox Pro 24” Octa offers the versatility you need. These modifiers help you control the quality of light based on the distance and size of your light source. For instance, if you're using a MagBox Pro 42” Octa, keep it 42”-84” away from your subject for the softest light possible.
Add Some Color to Your Flash Photography
Creating dynamic scenes often means playing with color. Using color gels like MagMod Pro Gels can transform an otherwise mundane shot into something visually spectacular. Whether using a single hue or a mix of colors, gels offer endless creative possibilities.
Mastering Multi-Light Setups in Off-Camera Flash Photography
As you get more comfortable with a single off-camera flash, consider adding a second one for more dynamic compositions. You can play with ratios, setting one flash at full power and the other at half power to create contrast and add depth to your photos. A good starting point is to use your second flash as a rim light, effectively carving your subjects out from the background.
By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a solid foundation in off-camera flash techniques, from understanding manual flash power to multi-light setups.
00:00 Intro
00:30 First Tip: Use Manual Flash Power
04:00 Second Tip: Inverse Square Law
07:04 Third Tip: Getting Hard Light vs Soft Light
10:08 Fourth Tip: Adding Color
12:23 Fifth Tip: Multi Flash Setup
15:03 Final Image Results

[@razerone49]

You definitely have a knack for teaching. By far the clearest explanations of techniques I’ve found. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge🙏

[@anaraquelsilva9117]

Congratulations, you have a very direct and simple way to explain complex subjects. Thank you. Wishing many happiness and success. New subscriber 😁

[@MarcusSortijas]

Love the rules of thumb you gave for flash power. “When in the sun, 1/1.” “When indoors, 1/ISO.” I used to have to take lots of test shots to find the right flash power. Those rules of thumb will empower me to work much faster. Excited to watch more off-camera flash tutorials. Thank you for all you do.

[@payamjirsa]

Glad it helped Marcus!

[@captainkickstand]

I really enjoy your tutorials; they're full of easy to remember tips (i.e. 'in the sun, use 1/1') and they seem natural, like you're just making conversation about something you understand really well. Thank you!

[@marydecaprio9182]

As always Pye, you explain OCF in such an easy, succinct way! Thank you and I hope you guys continue to make these videos. I always enjoy them. They really take the 'scary' out of learning OCF!

[@sasss7060]

it's incredible the amount of knowledge you share in such a simple way, thank you!

[@furrybunny8335]

For a beginner hobbyist, your instructional videos are amazing tutorials. Going to Italy in a few weeks to shoot a wedding and very nervous about using OCF, but your videos are a huge help. Thank you!

[@Princeton_James]

Your flash videos have been my favorite. Thank you.

[@ggarciacota]

Great Video Pye!! Thank you

[@scottallen8174]

As always! Another great tutorial video!

[@danielvinolo]

Exellent as always. Thanks!!!!

[@ahutidatwa]

Super excited to try these out! You’re awesome!

[@marcosartori9213]

really the best instructional video on the subject of flash that I have ever seen .... Thank you ❣

[@MrsGrens]

Always love Pye's videos! I've shot at all of these places too and I love how he used the locations!

[@payamjirsa]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jerrym8140]

Pye, I just wanna say thank you for all the knowledge you share with the photo community. You are absolutely one of the best teachers out there as the way you break things down is amazing. Even when it’s something I understand already the way you also teach makes it fun just to watch and even still pick up on little tips along the way. Pye and MagMod hits another home run.

[@payamjirsa]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful. Hopefully we can keep this series going indefinitely!

[@MagnetMod]

Homerun! Love it. So glad you enjoyed the video and super appreciate you taking the time to leave such kind words and express your gratitude. It means a lot to us!

[@mikem6796]

@@payamjirsa Great video. What mic were you using here? Sounds great!!!!!

[@randyschwager2515]

Very helpful! Thanks so much!

[@orendthomas]

Pye is everywhere! Love it!

[@MagnetMod]

It's because he is so awesome!

[@shiinehd7522]

​@@MagnetModhello my brother I don't have a job, I want you to sell me a camera so I can get a job, my family is poor and I live in Africa, especially in Somalia. so. humanity 👏

[@RY-mw7br]

This is exactly what a flash newbie like myself needed; concise, easy-to-remember tips with examples of practical application, which gives me a great starting point to build off of and makes me confident that I could actually do what you just demonstrated. Your delivery of the message was perfect! That's the ultimate in instruction my friend. Many thanks!

[@joeciciless1859]

Great video! Love the 1/1 in the sun and the iso advice. Very helpful.

[@MagnetMod]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, awesome tip.

[@saltyspearofm8577]

Pyi, keep up the great work, and thank you for all the photography info and videos.

[@yahshawnel]

Love your work.

[@krazyk57]

Thank you Professor Pye… Great tidbits as always… Ussssssss..😎

[@Expprods]

Awesome as always.

[@SwingcatVB]

Super awesome tutorial. Going to try some of these techniques this weekend.

[@oluwatobiloba]

you can see the honesty in the tutorial(s), i'm subscribing!

[@_carlos_e_]

Heading into senior portrait season, this video was much needed! Thank you!

[@MagnetMod]

Fantastic. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you shoot goes amazing!

[@ROUGHROADPH]

Very informative. TQ Pye.

[@gunnhildurhansdottir2216]

Thank you so much for sharing these off camera flash tips! I don't think I've ever been really inspired or motivated as far as flash photography. I am now and ideas are flooding in my head. Super excited to put this into practice. Again, thank you!

[@MagnetMod]

You're so welcome! Glad you were inspired by the video.

[@jjacks24]

Pye, always dropping gold!

[@MagnetMod]

Truth! He is one of the best educators this industry has ever seen!

[@payamjirsa]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@PeteySmoothJazz5059]

Pye, another winner!! Tip numbers 4 and 5 are what I'm attempting to achieve as I've begun to work with gels more and more. Thanks for your expertise!

[@MagnetMod]

Thank you for leaving the kind comment and sharing what you are learning from the videos. Appreciate you.

[@payamjirsa]

Sure thing Petey! Appreciate the support!

[@Heiko_K]

Hello there -- very nice to have found you again on some of your great (and newer) videos. I always appreciate the elonquent way you present the material. Also, it´s very pleasing to listen to since your presentation isn´t ridlled with jumpd-cuts like so many other videos I find on YT from other people. Take care, Heiko.

[@jimwlouavl]

Good demos. Thanks.

[@dimps86jl]

Thank you, thank you! You made this so easy to learn. Thank you

[@MagnetMod]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Treasures_of_life]

Thank you for this video. I wish I saw this earlier

[@Whittmike2011]

I really love my MagMod system! Thanks for the tips!

[@amirjafarian]

As always another great video!

[@MagnetMod]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MH7_256]

Ty so much!! You’re an awesome teacher 😊

[@MagnetMod]

So glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for leaving such kind words.

[@nickcarneyphotography]

These tutorials are amazing. They inspired me to get a MagMod kit, so I just want to say keep it up. You guys build a lot of trust with these videos in your expertise, so keep it up! Learning a lot and really enjoying the MagMod kit so far. But most of all, just enjoying learning flash photography from you guys!

[@MagnetMod]

Glad you like them! Thank you so much for the amazing comment. Made our day reading it this morning.

[@payamjirsa]

Glad you enjoyed Nick! That's our goal, awesome gear and valuable education to go along with it!

[@Nerdytimhieu]

"Wow, thank you for sharing this incredibly helpful content! I've learned so much in such a short time. Can't wait for more in this series - keep up the fantastic work! 🌟"

[@MortarMike]

This was wonderful to listen to while driving, I'm literally itching to get back into office and work haha, and I subbed!

[@phoenixr6811]

Another awesome show with Pye🥰

[@MagnetMod]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@payamjirsa]

Glad you dig it. Let me know what you'd like to learn next!

[@raymondvegaphotographycine4304]

Great as always 👍🏼

[@1982elusive]

This is was informative. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@MagnetMod]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jserenity]

I learned. Specially that blue gel. Thanks

[@MagnetMod]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JerickMoss]

I love your work

[@CharlieAI87]

ive been binging lighting tutorials lately. I dont know if this is my first video ive seen from this channel or not, but how you break down these essential tips is terrific. No bs, straight to the point, full transparency so where not left with even more questions. good on ya mate! Liked and Subscribed.

[@MagnetMod]

So glad you enjoyed the video. We have a bunch more on the channel that are similar. Hope you enjoy those as well!

[@huseyinbaskan6145]

very nice tutorial and very clean . thanks mate

[@MagnetMod]

You're welcome!

[@DhrolImages]

Thank you Sir - Your best ticher in word LOVE U 💗

[@MagnetMod]

So nice of you. Pye is incredible.

[@saucelove]

Great vid. TY

[@MagnetMod]

Thanks!

[@lidiasanchez7044]

Thank you ! Your best

[@MagnetMod]

Pye is pretty awesome!

[@sandeeppol6687]

A COMPLETE STUDY OF LIGHT SIR, TQ

[@MagnetMod]

We are just getting started! We look forward to releasing more videos about using light in future shows as well. Be sure to subscribe to the channel so KZbin shares those videos with you when they launch.

[@payamjirsa]

Glad you enjoyed, what would you like to learn next?

[@JHJohnson]

Great tips ty

[@royalphotoskohat2420]

Awesome Tips Thank you

[@MagnetMod]

Glad you liked the video!

[@OliBaitsMedia]

Super helpful

[@Bankonjovan]

You are the 🐐

[@MartinV.]

Great Video!!

[@MagnetMod]

Thanks!

[@Asif.A]

Pye great video

[@MagnetMod]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@afonsosantos8219]

Another great video! I would like to see a video on how to best use the gelling on weddings on those hard tugsten lights! :)

[@MagnetMod]

Great idea. Those can be frustrating to shoot under without gels.

[@PP-fn1od]

hey!!! love your videos!

[@MagnetMod]

Glad you like them! We love you!

[@noguisolano]

wonderfull!!

[@MagnetMod]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@migonads]

I like this guy

[@williamebert6047]

Love ur work! 3 light setup is great. Do you have a review on Nikon Zf?

[@Fsquared21]

Thanks

[@anandbaranwal372]

Good lesson with all experiment with experience. 😮I like your way of telling Thanks for tips❤ Dr Anand Baranwal VNS INDIA

[@marclabro]

great video ! interesting to see how you take all these pictures in HSS with, apparently, enough power at 1/1 even on simple flash, in my case this would be a cheap godox V1S.

[@payamjirsa]

Yeah, I'm pushing it and keeping the distances close. At a little more distance, I would need to hop out of HSS to get enough power.

[@JoelDino]

It was great to see you at WPPI 2024

[@kevmunga4814]

Loved this tutorial, better way of teaching, descriptions are on point, the math is mathing...do you do videos as well? Good work though!

[@misaelmarroquin6504]

There is one thing I would like to know. I love your set up which is how I have based my kit. But, what I would like to know is how do you carry your gear. For example do you use a cart or just backpack and bags. I think that would be interesting. Thank you!

[@intillanes]

Learning a lot from you Pye. Just bought the new XL, I had the little one. I want to start a journey in OCF photography. You are being very helpful.

[@fintonmainz7845]

Perhaps you might do a video about "rules of thumb" in general. Like "sunny 16" etc.

[@dayeah765caoni3]

also high speed sync wastes away a huge chunk of power. Use ND filter and slow down shutter speed no higher than the sync speed

[@MagnetMod]

#truth

[@karikaru]

Could you elaborate on that? You mean HSS produces less light or it is discharging more battery?

[@italianinoslo]

yep, hss is way less powerful than just using the flash on normal setting

[@oapw3087]

@@karikaruthe faster the shutter the less lights coming in to the sensor

[@brunocampos76]

@@karikaruwhen you use HSS the flash uses multiple charges of flash to fill the gaps between the shutter.

[@gooseneckful]

Great video ! you could use a Black Rapid belt to hold your camera with you, instead of putting it in the sand 🙂

[@pinargedikozer7613]

Nice coverage! (What is the microphone you are using? It sounds good!)

[@mamay8]

+

[@tphccsun]

I see the B10 light stand is being shaken by the wind (<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="789">13:09</a>). I wonder if that stand when used for B10 ever falls, which actually often happens to me.

[@angryvirgo992]

So with the wescott flash trigger you can shoot TTL with canon mirror less??

[@michaelshekianphotography6378]

I understand you want to use manual flash but one of the strengths of the Profoto is the accuracy of their ttl- Start with ttl(take an image) and then switch to manual and make any needed adjustments.

[@MagnetMod]

The background often plays a crucial role. For instance, highly reflective surfaces like windows or wood paneling can disrupt auto settings. Instead of relying solely on auto settings, it’s simpler to develop a good initial estimate through practice. Take a photo, then fine-tune it as needed. This way, you avoid concerns about auto settings being thrown off by tricky scenarios. I hope this explanation is clear.

[@elram2649]

Hey Pye, next time around, grab some of those prickly pear cactus fruits! Just be careful as they have barbed needles, ouch! They're delicious and taste somewhat like watermelon. Plus, they're healthy for even diabetics, afaik. 😋👌

[@MrPhillipsTheChangeAgent]

What stand are you using to hold the light.

[@TheeEdwardKing]

What equipment would you recommend for beginners of OCF?

[@superemesean5907]

Sony fx3, and 85m GM 1.8 with Godox Trigger, and Westcott Strobe light and 42’ octagon softbox from Godox

[@stevenevosando8840]

As the light gets farther away from subject does it also affect the image pie? I find my portraits come out redish or harsh on face .

[@payamjirsa]

Yes, it affects both light quality and brightness.

[@uhoh7541]

Why using high speed sync throughout the shoot? OCF training I've taken encourages avoiding it to save battery power and not lose power.

[@ruchirsajwan]

Did you shoot in high speed sync?

[@SATMJOSHI]

what happens if we hit the flash from the direction the subject face shadow is? I mean ,flash from the shadow direction.

[@hankdinardo4308]

How does the Mag Sphere mount to the a1

[@MagnetMod]

The MagGrip 2 is designed to fit around round head flashes, including the A1. Once the MagGrip 2 is on the flash any of the modifiers, such as the MagSphere magnetize directly to it. Super fast and easy!

[@lslater444]

I love my AD200pros with my Magmod equipment, but I purchased the new Nikon z8, and I'm getting serious horizontal banding when I shoot in HSS. ALL firmware is Current and Up -to-date. I'm at a loss. I’ve shot changing from rear curtain and front curtain, and STILL, I find banding when I shoot HSS past 1/250 shutter speed. I have contacted several KZbinrs, and they all feel it's the ad200pros. I have tried changing the Photo Flicker Reduction in Z8 settings and the High-Frequency Flicker Reduction. Nothing changes. I hope someone reads this and has some good advice for me. My AD200Pro’s firmware is currently: U-1.5 and my Nikon Z8 has the latest firmware: C:Ver.1.01 R2 PRO II N current firmware is: 1.5 So it has nothing to do with the firmware, Every time I go into HSS, it causes banding. you can see it in their faces below. I’m desperate to figure this out.

[@DJSIC82]

these light measurements numbers is making it sound so complicated.

[@oxxxeee]

that mag sphere is not doing anything but reducing the light output.

[@KertakudaSatu-qw1sf]

No it soften the light

[@GopalSharma-cg6gc]

Gopal K Sharma Ie

[@MagnetMod]

Thanks for sharing

[@Aci-de8zm]

It makes me laugh when seeing people use a softbox on flash heads with an enclosed flash tube! Light travels in straight lines, so with the flash tube located inside the housing, the flash head essentially acts like a snoot. This means that the light doesn't get to fill the softbox and bounce around it for the soft light people expect it to create, and instead it is a softbox diffuser panel with a hotspot in the middle. Therefore, you should ideally use a flash head with an exposed flash tube, like broncolor heads, so that the light comes out at 180 degress and fills the softbox as intended.

[@Canadianforestfairy]

What’s your favourite outdoor portrait flash set up?

[@normski4ash]

Confused as to why your shutter speed was so fast and you used high speed sync. Using HSS surely reduces the flash power considerably, and the higher you go above the cameras sync speed, the more you lose. So at 1/4000th sec, you're probably only getting a quarter of the flashes power, even though you are on full power. Yes the sun was bright and you placed it behind your model and shot F4. F4 isn't going to give you a shallow depth of field at that distance, so why not close the aperture, bring down the shutter speed, thus increasing the amount of flash power?

[@gardenisledivers8635]

The fast shutter speeds are necessary because of the bright mid-day lighting Anything slower would overexpose the image. Notice the low ISO speeds - there's no room left to slow the speeds.

[@normski4ash]

@@gardenisledivers8635 Yes but you could have closed the aperture, I st6ill saying you were bullshitting us ! end ofr !

[@gardenisledivers8635]

@@normski4ash Closing the aperture would change the depth of field and make everything sharp when it looks best blurred. Pye got it right. Time to move on dude.

[@Pawel__M]

In the photos of the girl among the cacti, the harsh shadows created by the flash are just unacceptable for me. Why didn't you use a softer modifier, like a softbox, and why didn't you move the flash closer to the subject? Maybe a large white reflector would do a better job?

[@MagnetMod]

We appreciate your comment and acknowledge everyone has different likes and dislikes. Sorry that picture didn't click with you, but hopefully you enjoyed the other pictures and were able to gather some good insight from the video.

[@elram2649]

It's a quick tutorial on how to replicate this style of image with minimal equipment, that's all. It mimics the then-present harsh daylight. It's successfully performed. The third setup addresses your question is at 7:04. The technical info is greatly appreciated as well. 😎👌

[@xdm9guy]

Why is it that every photographer is way off on their distance estimates?😂

[@prl105]

Hey Pye Man you need a tape measure, alternatively you have massive feet!!!

[@vaidasmiskunas2331]

On the very end your model doesn't look happy enough😆those flays annoying her😅

[@johnnyamerica4336]

Thanks for the ideas. The hill behind her head doesn’t work. Looks like a volcano on her head. Quite distracting.