Multiple Flash Work Diary

For this shoot, I was set with the task of shooting the technique of Multiple Flash. The effect is similar to slow sync in some areas as both have the potential to capture a range of movement, however with multiple flash I have the ability to capture movement through crisp images that occur through a more prominent use of the flash. I wanted to find a way to develop interesting images that would vary considerably from each other. Due to the small area of the studio, this was a concern of mine so I made sure to implement the use of props and different ranges of movement within my images. In order to ensure that I achieved variation within my images, I began research. Upon my research, I found a photographer by the name of  Mads Perch whose work with multiple flash served as a massive influence. I noticed the way that the technique was used in order to create the sense of multiple people standing around. This gave me the idea to focus my shoot on people being featured multiple times within the same frame and how they can interact with each other. I also could easily link this technique to the subject of hyperreality as I am making an image appear exciting compared to anything in reality. As this shoot would be heavily reliant on my camera settings and light set up I had to make sure these were accurately set up. I used two lights with soft boxes which would set off a flash as the camera began taking pictures. I used a shutter speed of 8.0, an f stop of 11 and an ISO of 125. The most important thing for this technique would be to keep the shutter button held down for as long as I need to while spacing out the use of the flash in order to ensure that the image does not appear over exposed.

 Mads Perch influence:

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My images:

This image was achieved by having the same person perform two different poses on opposite sides of the frame. One pose made the person appear that they were cowering within the corner of the frame while the other pose features someone holding a dish in their hands in a swinging motion. I spread the flashes long enough over the duration of the image in order to create a crisp image of the two poses which did not make the image too over exposed. The result gives the effect that the person is swinging to hit herself over the head. I adjusted levels and curves in order to darken aspects of the image. This gave each pose a more physical appearance instead of the ghostly original image. There is an element to this image which can be linked to hyperreality and the format of television. The image is presented within a very slapstick style that is reminiscent of black and white films. This idea is enforced through the creation of a vignette effect which was commonly used within these black and white films. This appearance could be used in other shoots in order to simulate a media, constructed world.

This image uses the same technique in order to create a new image. I had the person perform running poses in three different positions. This evokes a sense of movement within the frame presented in a frame by frame motion. However I also wanted to imply a sense of an endless loop. The vignette effect within the outer frame causes the person to fade into obscurity. This was done in order to create a portal effect where the body ends in the right of the frame and the rest of the body continues in the left of the frame. The use of contrasts are prominent within the image as they help to highlight the moment of the person from the left of the frame to the right. The use of levels and curves help to enhance these contrasts within the frame.

Progression:

I feel that I was able to achieve a successful and visually varied example of multiple flash. If I were to develop this shoot, I would implement sports photography in order to create striking movement photography. I would use skateboarding, running or dancing in order to document the range of movement that is undertaken by people in the sport. I could use the visual style of the image to explore a style of media that could work within the subject of hyperreality.