How do you sync multiple flashes with different flash durations and trigger systems?

1 Flash duration

Flash duration is the time it takes for a flash to emit its full power and then fade away. It is measured in fractions of a second, such as 1/1000 or 1/20000. Flash duration affects how much light reaches your sensor and how much motion blur you get in your photos. A shorter flash duration freezes motion better, but also gives less light. A longer flash duration gives more light, but also more motion blur.

2 Sync speed

Sync speed is the fastest shutter speed you can use with your camera and flash without getting a black band across your photo. It is usually around 1/200 or 1/250 for most cameras. Sync speed depends on how your camera shutter works and how your flash communicates with your camera. If you use a higher shutter speed than your sync speed, you will get a partial exposure because your shutter will close before your flash finishes firing.

3 Trigger systems

Trigger systems are the devices that tell your flashes when to fire. There are different types of trigger systems, such as optical, radio, or infrared. Optical triggers use light to communicate, which means they need line of sight and can be affected by ambient light. Radio triggers use radio waves to communicate, which means they can work through walls and in any lighting condition. Infrared triggers use infrared signals to communicate, which means they can work indoors but not outdoors.

4 How to sync multiple flashes

To sync multiple flashes with different flash durations and trigger systems, you need to start by setting your camera to manual mode and choosing a shutter speed that is equal or lower than your sync speed. Additionally, set your flashes to manual mode and adjust their power and position for the desired lighting effect. When it comes to the trigger system, you can use a master flash that triggers the others or a transmitter that attaches to your camera hot shoe and sends signals to receivers attached to your flashes. Finally, test your setup and fine-tune your exposure and lighting. Utilize a light meter or histogram to check your exposure and a modeling light or test flash to preview your lighting.

5 Factors to consider

When syncing multiple flashes with different flash durations and trigger systems, there are several factors to consider. The distance between your camera, flashes, and subject will determine the power of your flashes and the reliability of your trigger system. Additionally, the ambient light in your studio can affect your exposure and color balance, so you may need to use a faster shutter speed, a lower ISO, or a smaller aperture to reduce the ambient light, or use gels or filters to match the color temperature of your flashes and ambient light. Lastly, depending on the creative effect you want to achieve, you may want to use different flash durations, power levels, modifiers, and angles. With these tips in mind, you can master this skill and take your studio photography to the next level.