Slow Sync Flash
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create slow sync flash photography. Slow sync flash is a technique used in photography to freeze action whilst getting a blurred background. In short, it’s mixing a blurred look with a sharp look in one photograph. You use your shutter speed to create the blurred motion and use a burst of flash to freeze the action thus creating the slow sync flash photography look.
Different situations may require different settings and in this tutorial you will learn the settings I use to create slow sync flash photos.
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What is Slow Sync Flash?
Slow sync flash is a great technique for freezing action and capturing movement at the same time. It’s normally used for action shots in sports or in nightclubs and music venues.
It can be good to use in low-light situations when you feel that the normal flash will give you a bland photo and it will work well with a bright coloured or textured background. The less there is in the background, the less there will be to blur.
Another good time to use slow sync flash is when photographing an action/sports subjects and you want to capture the action. As shown in the examples below.
Slow Sync Flash Example freezing the action of a mountain bike - Camera Settings: F 5.6 - 1/30th Second - ISO 400 - 35mm Focal length
Slow Sync Flash Example of a DJ in a nightclub - Credit: unsplashed.com @jonathanborba
Equipment need for slow sync flash photography
A DSLR Camera or Mirrorless camera with manual settings
You’ll need a camera that goes into fully manual mode which will enable you to take full control over the camera settings. An easy way to check if your camera has this is to look at the top of the camera and see if it has a dial with the letter M (for manual) on it. If yours has this, it will be fine.
You’ll need a camera that manual settings. An easy way to check if your camera has this is to look at the top of the camera and see if it has a dial with the letter S or Tv on it which stands for shutter speed priority. If yours has this, it will be fine.
Flash gun / or Pop-up flash
For the burst of flash, you can use a flash gun or your camera’s pop up flash. A flashgun is a separate piece of equipment that you attach to your camera. A pop-up flash is built into some cameras and as the word suggests, it will pop up when you press the flash button on your camera.
A flash gun is better to use as it will be more powerful and have a longer range. It will also charge a lot quicker allowing you take more pictures at a quicker succession.
A pop-up flash will still work for slow sync flash photography but you will need to be much closer to your subject as it is not as powerful and a flash gun.
To learn more about flash photography, click here.
Standard zoom lens
A standard zoom lens is fine for slow sync flash photography. In general, this will be the kit lens that comes with your camera or a lens that goes through a range of focal lengths, basically, one that zooms in and out. To learn more about lenses and focal lengths, click here.
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The best settings for slow sync flash photography
The camera settings for slow sync flash can vary slightly and will depend on the light you have available at the time. However below is a general guide to creating this effect.
Put your ISO to Auto
Set your camera to its Tv or S mode, this stands for Shutter Speed Priority.
To start, set your shutter speed 1/30th of a second. Change this for different effects. As a guide, the faster the object you are photographing, the faster your shutter speed will need to be.
If you’re using a flashgun set it on to ETTL (it’s default settings).
If you are using, you pop up flash make sure you are nearer to the thing you are photographing.
1st and 2nd Curtain Flash
This is an optional technique which will basically fire the flash either at the start of the exposure (1st curtain flash) or at the end of the exposure (2nd curtain flash).
1st curtain flash will freeze the subject at the start of the exposure and create a light trial or blurred effect in front of it. 2nd curtain flash will freeze the subject at the very end of the exposure and create a light trial or blurred effect behind it.
Generally, 2nd curtain flash is used as it allows your subject to appear in front of the streaks.
We would love to see your attempts at slow sync flash photos. If you want to show us, simply tag #theschoolofphotography on social media and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see other examples.
Examples of Slow Sync Photography
Example showing slow sync flash photography with a mountian bike jumping in the air - Camera Settings: 1/15th second - f 9 - 32mm Focal Length
Example using slow sync flash of people in masks in nightclub - credit: unsplashed.com @jonathanborba
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