The Flash Photography Field Guide

Slow-speed Sync

Using your camera at its maximum sync speed is a widely-used technique. It prevents camera blur, and if you’re outside on a bright day trying to record both ambient light and flash, it gives as wide an aperture as possible.

It’s not the only way to get creative results, though. When light levels drop, you may wish to drop your shutter speed to something much lower. This helps low-level ambient light register, and introduces an element of blur at very low shutter speeds.

If your aim is to get a sharp photo all over, and you’re not using flash, you’ll need to make sure the subject and camera don’t move. A tripod is essential for this, as is a subject that doesn’t move—like an inanimate object. Another way is to actively use blur ...