One Flash Portraits ~ A ‘how to’ video by Damien Lovegrove

May 29, 2021 | Flash, Location, Travel, Video | 14 comments

In this short yet sweet 10 minute video, I share with you how I create a couple of portraits from scratch using just one flash. I show you how I combine the flash and ambient light, the camera settings that I use, and how I dial it all in. The end result is a bit of magic. Enjoy.

A free video tutorial

Feel free to ask me questions below.

If you want to know more about using off-camera flash I suggest you join me on an Urban Portraits workshop. All the details are here.

14 Comments

  1. Alan

    As a complete scatterflash kit was no longer available,I recently purchased from you a spare parts kit for the scatterflash kit that you previously sold but you advised me that the four rods were no longer available. Would you be able to tell me what the length and diameter of the rods were and what material they were made of so that I can possibly source some rods from elsewhere.

    Many thanks

    Alan Gibbs

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Alan, The rods are carbon fibre 10mm o/d, 8mm i/d and 250mm long they have injection moulded ends that connect them to the rubber block and support the gel clips. Those components have to be ordered in quantities of 1000 pieces each and I’ve run out of them. They are the vital pieces that hold everything together.

      I hope you manage to get something sorted.

      Kind regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  2. Michael Cox

    I have Nissin flashes, which are rectangular heads but probably not as “wide” as the Godox. Will this unit work (with a bit of shimming, perhaps)? Or do I need to somehow add Godox — which means a Godox remote, too?

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Michael,

      Thank you for your message and sorry for my delay in replying. I’m not sure how good you are at shimming. I know one of my clients made a 3d printed shim for his flash gun. I would say the biggest problem is likely to be the foot of the flash if you decide to use that as the mounting method as that is the weak point. The AD200 has a proper 16mm spigot mounting.

      Kindest regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  3. Jay

    Many thanks Damien .. I particularly liked the combination of corrosion textures in the old machinery and building with the WB manipulation – also slightly otherworldy with the fog .. much appreciation for sharing this and hope you are well .. cheers

    Reply
  4. Robert Wilson

    Thanks for the tutorial Damien….lovely image !!!

    Reply
  5. Colin Bate

    Thank you Damien for the email and tutorial … so inspiring. Looking forward to Bristol.

    Reply
  6. Brad

    What camera and lens were you using for this set up?

    Reply
      • Brad

        Thank you! I can’t wait to come to Europe and study with you! Cheers!!!

        Reply
  7. Vince Ellis

    Thank you for the e mail and tutorial… much appreciated.

    As with all your tutorials, there is much to learn from an easy to follow and enthusiastic delivery which provides plenty for creative ideas.

    I particularly liked the info re mixing the gelled flash with the cooled in camera kelvin to give the very special images.

    Again, thank you.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thank you Vince :)

      Best regards, Damien

      Reply
  8. Denis

    Great videos, liking the blue in the background. I must treat myself to a portable smoke machine. 240 volts is never around when you need it!!

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thanks Denis,

      I use a Scotty 2 smoke machine. Cheers, Damien.

      Reply

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