On camera Flash page of Neil van Neikerk

Neil van Niekerk has a website here that is all about on camera flash. I know that this website was originally intended to be my photo exercises for my off camera flash exercises, but in practice I have found it difficult to use the flash off camera all the time. Many of the principles are the same, but this photographer manages to bounce light all over the place. There is far more on the website than I can summarize, so it is best to read it there. There are a few notes for me to remember though

1) When using TTL, instead of aperture, iso, shutter speed, and flash power, by using the flash in TTL, you are free to change any of the other factors and the flash power will adjust automatically. This in effect eliminates that as a variable when taking pictures. In a studio setting this may make little difference, but when in remote locations, the ability to rely on the TTL can make a snapshot properly exposed in one try instead of the process of trial and error in manual.

1.5) When the process of dragging the shutter is usually used, the shutter speed is adjusted to let more ambient light illuminate the background, while the subject is lit with the flash. However, when TTL lighting is used, any of the variables (aperture, iso, shutter speed) can be increased to allow more light for the background, and the flash power will automatically be adjusted to compensate.

2) When using on camera flash as a fill light, he usually uses the EV-2 to EV-3 on his flash unit to make the flash light blend subtly with the ambient light. The exception to this appears to be when you are combating bright sunlight, and then EV -.7 seems more appropriate.

3) when using the on camera flash as a key light, the EV is usually around EV+.7 or so.

4) He shoots ridiculously wide open, with an aperture under F2 very often. While this would lead to more out of focus shots and a minimal depth of field, he seems to make it work, or at least only shows the good ones.

5) He always flags his flash when he bounces, so that there is no direct light from the flash. He also prefers not to bounce off the ceiling, but the walls or the room behind, which works because he shoots so wide open that the flash can add just a little light.