The High-Speed Sync (HSS) Photography has revolutionized the use of lightning. It enables impressive portraits in light daylight and razor -sharp sports shots. In this blog post we give you a comprehensive overview of HSS photography and answer questions that photographers could ask themselves at every level of experience.
What is HSS photography?
HSS, short for high-speed sync, enables photographers to use the flash with very short shutter speeds. Unlike conventional flash synchronization, which only works up to a certain shutter speed, HSS synchronizes lightning even with faster shutter speeds.
Thanks to modern technology, which extends the burning time of lightning, an almost continuous light is created. As a result, the shutter speed plays a lower role, and even at 1/500 second the flash is completely present.
HSS is made possible by improved communication between the camera and lightning and flashes with a longer burning time. This technique is particularly useful for light daylight to freeze movements and at the same time create an attractive background blur.
HSS can create dramatic lighting effects in fashion photography, while it enables sharp action recordings in the sports area. Different flash modes such as TTL (through the lens) and manually influence the HSS performance. It is worth experimenting with both modes to achieve the best results.
Why is quick flash synchronization important?
When taking pictures with lightning, the ambient light plays a major role. Strong sunlight can be problematic, especially when it comes to pictures. One way to control the ambient light is the use of small apertures. However, this limits the creative possibilities. Without HSS flashes, parts of the image are often darkened in short exposure times, since the second closure curtain covers the sensor too early and prevents complete illumination.
Equipment for HSS photography
For HSS you need a camera and a flash of lightningthat support both HSS. Many modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras as well as numerous external flashes offer this function. Check the specifications of your equipment to ensure that both components are compatible. The activation of HSS can be found in the lightning settings of your camera. A look at the manual of your camera can be helpful to find the exact steps to activate HSS.
Influence of HSS on exposure parameters
HSS influences ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Since HSS reduces the flash output, you may have to increase ISO or open the aperture further to achieve the desired exposure. This requires joy of experimentation and adjustments to achieve the best results. Use lightning with variable lightning duration to be able to react flexibly to different recording situations.
Creative possibilities with HSS photography
HSS enables you to blur the background in bright light and to highlight your motif. An open aperture ensures beautiful bokeh, while the flash perfectly illuminates the motif. This offers you freedom to create creative portraits even in difficult lighting conditions.
You can also freeze fast movements even in light daylight, which is particularly useful for sports photographers who want to create dynamic and sharp images of fast -moving motifs.
Restrictions from HSS
A disadvantage of HSS photography is reduced flash performance. You may have to approach your motif or use additional light sources to ensure sufficient exposure. This can be a challenge, especially in very bright lighting conditions. Common problems such as uneven exposure or lightning overheating can be avoided by correct settings and regular breaks. It is important to know the limits of your equipment and to adapt accordingly.
Conclusion
HSS photography offers photographers a variety of ways to create creative and technically demanding images at all experience levels. From basic techniques to advanced applications, HSS opens up new horizons in photography. Try these techniques, experiment and share your results with us Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok at @rollei_de and #rolleimoments.