Lighting with Flash: Capturing a Dancer in Motion

In this installment of the Lighting with Flash series, photographer and Strobist.com publisher David Hobby demonstrates using strobes to freeze action while capturing the strength and grace of a dancer in motion. After working through the lighting challenges of a dance studio, David sets up a white, seamless background and shoots some test shots, adjusting the flash units to create a white "blow-away" background that will enable the photo to be easily composited. Next, he photographs the dancer, working with her to capture a relaxed expression as she leaps and strikes various poses. After the action shots, David lights and shoots a portrait.

Learning objectives
Assessing a space and setting up a background
Lighting a background to create a "blow-away white"
Working with umbrellas and ring light adaptors
Lighting to show musculature and form