Vernon Chalmers Photography: January 2024

01 January 2024

Changes to Adobe Lightroom Training Modules / Sessions

Vernon Chalmers Photography Adobe Lightroom Classic Training Update 2024

Adobe Lightroom Classic Version 13 Screenshot : Vernon Chalmers Photography

Please Note: Adobe Lightroom training will no longer be offered by Vernon Chalmers Photography as a separate training module. No further support sessions are available on migrating Lightroom catalogues (and images) between computers (and external drives) during photography sessions and / or specific Lightroom File Import / Processing / Export / and / or other Lightroom Modules.

However, Lightroom Classic will be discussed and demonstrated in all the different photography training genres I currently offer.

Current Version: Adobe Lightroom Classic 13 - and of course, any other previous version.

Lightroom post-processing will only be facilitated as orientation of (my) Lightroom post-processing workflow (at no additional cost) to the photographer participating in any of my Canon photography genre training options.

Other image post-processing / image editing options such as Canon’s free Digital Photo Professional (DPP) post-processing will also be discussed (especially for photographers still deciding which post-processing software to use).

AI Applications in Lightroom Classic

Intel Hardware Upgrade Recommendations
I personally only work with Intel-based i3 / i5+ desktops and notebooks (with Intel 10th Generation CPUs' - Ice lake - and above) with either Windows 10 or Windows 11 for Lightroom post-processing requirements. The Intel-based 10th Generation CPU Systems (desktop and notebook) will be my personal minimum recommendation with 8 to 16GB DDR4 (Dual-Channel) RAM modules - and optional i.e. nVidia GPU to efficiently process Canon CR2 / CR3 RAW (or DNG) images using the new (and relatively high-performance) capabilities of Adobe Lightroom Classic 13.

Other Editing / Post-Procession Hardware
I am not familiar with AMD-based Systems or the minimum / suitable hardware specifications for Apple Desktops / Notebooks (for Adobe Lightroom application / post-processing).

Canon Photography Private Training Milnerton, Cape Town

Introduction to Photography / Canon Cameras More

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch More

Canon EOS Autofocus / AI Servo Training More

Birds in Flight / bird Photography Training More

Canon Speedlite / Ring Lite Flash Photography Workshop More

Macro / Close-Up Photography Workshop More

Real Estate / Interior Decor Photography Training More

Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Sessions More

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Assistance in Purchasing / Upgrading Camera Equipment

Advice for Vernon Chalmers Photography / Canon Camera Clients

From Canon EOS to Canon EOS R Cameras

Client Assistance when Purchasing / Replacing Canon Camera Equipment

Assistance when Purchasing / Upgrading New Canon Camera Equipment

It could be quite a daunting exercise to decide on replacing a current Canon body and / or EF / EF-S (or compatible) lenses with either another Canon EOS APS-C (Crop) or Full Frame body (or lenses) - or change your entire Canon EOS System to and Canon EOS R Mirrorless body and Canon RF lens / RF-S System (while retaining some older lenses). There are also a few in-between combinations and or options.

The objective is to assist the photographer to inform him or her on my recommendations / thoughts on various options and combinations that could potentially function best with current and future photography requirements.

Please note that any of my photography training clients (from over the past 10 years) are welcome to WhatsApp me free of any charges on the following WhatsApp Number should you require any advice and or recommendation(s) on your camera equipment.

I may not always be immediately available to answer your question(s) or respond to your request(s), but will do so as soon as I am available. I will make contract with you for discussing your specific questions, requests and / or concerns.

Please note that I do not sell any new or used Canon equipment (on behalf of anyone else) and do not make any specific recommendations on any retailers where you should purchase / sell / trade-in your Canon equipment (or compatible accessories).

Attached Image: Swift tern above the Diep River / Woodbridge Island (© Vernon Chalmers)

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Using High-Speed Sync (HSS) Flash in the Afternoon Sun

Controlling Light and Wind with High-Speed Sync (HSS) Flash

Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT with Diffuser

Outside close-up and macro photography is generally done on an early windless morning with crisp light / or with some cloud cover for reducing harsh light and glare.

But, what do you do if you only have 14:00 in full afternoon sun and the wind is blowing? Suddenly a high shutter speed and using flash is more than a suitable solution.

I went out at 14:00 in the sun for deliberately capturing a yellow (and very bright) flower against (my own) close-up and macro photography principles.

In using a Speedlite (external flash unit) fitted in the camera flash hot shoe and applying the Speedlite's High-Sync Speed (HSS) setting I was able to overcome the maximum sync speed (highest shutter speed of a particular camera when using flash) of the camera I was using - 1/250s on the Canon EOS 70D - by setting the shutter speed to whatever I wanted higher than the 1/250s limitation.

Most entry-level DSLR's are capable of 1/4000s Shutter Speed and enthusiast / professional cameras up to 1/8000s.

What is High Synch Speed (HSS) Flash?

"High sync speed in flash photography refers to the ability of a camera and flash system to synchronize at faster shutter speeds. In traditional flash photography, the shutter speed is limited by the camera's flash sync speed, which is usually around 1/200 to 1/250 seconds for many cameras.

When you exceed the maximum sync speed and try to use a faster shutter speed, you may encounter issues like part of the image being dark due to the shutter not being fully open when the flash fires. This limitation can be a challenge, especially when shooting in bright conditions and wanting to use a wider aperture to control depth of field.

High-speed sync (HSS) or HyperSync technology is a solution to this problem. It allows you to use faster shutter speeds, such as 1/1000 or even 1/8000 seconds, while still using flash. This is achieved by pulsing the flash multiple times during the exposure. The technology varies between manufacturers, and the terms used might differ (e.g., High-Speed Sync for Canon, HyperSync for PocketWizard).

Here are some key points about high sync speed flash:

Faster Shutter Speeds: With HSS, you can use shutter speeds beyond the traditional sync speed, which is beneficial in situations where you need to freeze fast action or shoot with wider apertures in bright conditions.
Continuous Light Output: High-speed sync works by pulsing the flash multiple times during the exposure. This allows for more even illumination across the frame, but it can reduce the flash's effective power, so you might need to be closer to your subject or use more powerful flashes in certain situations.
Compatibility: High-speed sync may require both a compatible camera and flash unit. Not all camera and flash combinations support HSS, so it's important to check compatibility before investing in such a system.
Trade-offs: While HSS is a valuable tool, it does have some trade-offs. The flash may have reduced power compared to non-HSS mode, and the technique may introduce some challenges in controlling ambient light.

If you're interested in high sync speed flash photography, it's recommended to check your camera and flash system's compatibility and explore the specific features and limitations of the high-speed sync technology available with your equipment." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

Vernon Chalmers Photography High Speed Synch (HSS) Speedlite Flash Photography

Overpowering the sun / wind with High-Speed Sync Flash

Overpowering the sun / wind with High-Speed HSS @ 1/8000s Shutter Speed

For this image I experimented (handheld) and went up to the maximum (almost unthinkable) shutter speed of 1/8000s of said camera - maybe a stop or two too high of what was actually required, but nevertheless, together with the flash, overpowered the sun and stopped the plucky wind from moving the flower from side to side.

One of the applications of HSS is to be able to use wide apertures with faster shutter speeds for limiting the available ambient light (i.e. sunlight in this case). The faster the shutter speed the more the ambient light limitation. HSS is only available to use with either the camera's pop-up flash or with an external Speedlite flash.

In early morning close-up and macro photography (outside) I will use Aperture Priority Mode at whatever aperture is required (by me) and hardly be bothered with the shutter speed - and most often without flash.

Settings for this experimental image: Manual Mode @ ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/8000s with Canon EOS 70D / Speedlite 430EX III-RT with stofen-type plastic diffuser (flash head +- 35% tilted upwards from default position).

Lens used: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens

Speedlite Mode: E-TTL (with no exposure compensation)

Image is uncropped and slightly processed in Adobe Lightroom Classic CC 9.

Using flash is therefore not only for adding light to low ambient light conditions, but also for limiting / overpowering strong sun light.

Butterfly in the afternoon at 1/180s Sync Speed

Controlling Midday Sun without using Canon HSS Flash

Canon Speedlite Flash / Photographing in Midday Sun

Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT with Diffuser

Overpowering Midday Sun with Canon Speedlite Flash

All three sample images were captured between 12:00 – 13:00 on a bright sunny day earlier in the week. We generally shoot flowers and insects in softer morning light, but this is not always possible for all photographers.

Butterfly and small flowers were captured with my Canon EOS 6D / EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens with a Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash (with its proprietary white plastic Stofen-like diffuser covering the flash head).

For overpowering the strong sunlight I selected the fastest sync speed of the Canon EOS 6D (1/180s) and small(er) apertures (f/11 - f/16) for providing a relativity dark ambient exposure.

Using the High-Speed Sync (HSS) flash option will provide even more exposure / light control. Most Canon DSLRs (and Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II Speedlite flashes) will have HSS for the built-in flash and / or external Speedlite flash.

Speedlite flash head was tilted slightly upwards (for minimising direct flash light on the subjects). Speedlite was used in E-TTL mode.

Real Estate / Interior Décor Photography Training (with HSS Flash)

HSS on Speedlite / internal camera flash could also be used to balance exposure when shooting outside views through windows (into strong overexposed outside sunlight). Contact me for real estate / interior décor photography training (with Canon external Speedlite flash).

Camera Exposure Settings

Av Mode: f/11 - f/16 / ISO 400 / 1/180s - the highest shutter flash sync speed not using HSS (on the EOS 6D, some cameras like the EOS 70D / 7D Mark II, HSS is 1/250s).

Images post-processed in Adobe Lightroom Classic CC 8.2

Canon Speedlite Flash Resources

© Vernon Chalmers Photography

Using High-Speed Sync Flash (HSS) in the Afternoon Sun >>

Vernon Chalmers Photography Canon Speedlite Flash Images

Overpowering the sun with Canon Speedlite Flash - Image Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Small butterfly with Canon Speedlite Flash - Image Vernon Chalmers

Small flowers with Canon Speedlite Flash - Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Small flowers with Canon Speedlite Flash - Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Canon Speedlite Flash Training Classes, Milnerton Cape Town View

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