265
Chapter 9 Action and Event Photography
The first type is widely used by amateur and
professional photographers alike; the second type
is primarily a professional tool.
See Figure 9-44.
Working with Flash
As noted in the preceding sections of this
chapter, action and event photography often
requires the use of a portable light source, or
flash unit. For many years, film photographers
used flashbulbs, Figure 9-43, to bring the light to
the subject as needed instead of being dependent
on daylight or room lighting.
Figure 9-43. Flashbulbs were made in a variety of sizes,
burning rates, and light intensities to meet different
photographic needs. Screw-in bases were eventually
replaced with quicker-to-change bayonet mounts in
a number of forms. The multiple-flash cube and strip
forms were used primarily with snapshot cameras.
Flashbulbs are seldom used today, except in specialized
situations. They have been supplanted by electronic
flash units.
Types of Flash Units
In recent decades, the use of flashbulbs has
been almost entirely supplanted by the electronic
flash. Ease of use, greater light output, and rapid
repeatability are among the advantages that have
made electronic flash popular.
Built-in flash units are found in most
point-and-shoot and many consumer-level SLR
cameras. While they are convenient for snapshot
use, they are limited in capability for serious
artificial light photography.
Self-contained flash units are available in a
variety of sizes and types, but can be divided into
two broad categories:
• Smaller units designed for mounting on a
camera’s hot shoe or accessory shoe
• Larger, usually more powerful, units attached
to the camera with a removable bracket
Figure 9-44. Two basic types of flash units. A—Many
small- to medium-size flash units, such as this one,
are designed for mounting on the camera’s hot shoe or
similar camera-top locations. (Canon USA) B—Large,
powerful flashes used by wedding photographers,
photojournalists, and other professionals mount on a
special bracket attached to the camera. (Sunpak/ToCAD
America, Inc.)
B
A