Trying to explain flash in skateboard photography is a bit of a head wreck, it's very technical and I still find it confusing today. Digital high speed sync (HSS) flashes make it a little easier to freeze the action, with most being able to sync up to 8000th of a second. Unlike my film cameras that can only sync at 200th for my 35mm and 500th for the Hasselblad.
If you're unfamiliar with flash photography, which is understandable, you'd be surprised at how many of your favourite photos are lit with multiple flashes, or have at least one hidden somewhere to help it pop, even in the bright California sun.
Today I'm going to show you one example of how flash can impact your photo.
Let's start with a natural light photo, no flash at all.
Shot at 500th of a second at f5.6 you can barely make out what's going on. everything is massively underexposed with the sky being the other thing that looks right.
Let's turn those flashes on.
Same shutter speed and f-stop but with a completely different result! The difference is literally night and day.
Overcast summer days are probably my favourite conditions for shooting. The sun can be a nightmare for flash photography but that's a story for another day.
List of equipment used: