Mastering On‑Camera Flash

Mastering On‑Camera Flash: From Built‑In Pops to Pro‑Grade Hot‑Shoe Lighting is a two‑hour, hands‑on intensive that turns the most maligned light source in photography into your new secret weapon. Under the direction of Daring Leaderman—360ism Studios founder with 25 + years in broadcast, commercial, and glamour photography—you’ll learn to shape, balance, and finesse on‑camera flash for polished, professional results in any environment.

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Who This Class Is For

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Key Learning Modules

1. Flash Physics Made Simple

   • Sync speed, recycle time, guide numbers, flash duration

   • TTL vs. Manual and when each is king

2. Bending Light with Bounce & Diffusion

   • Ceiling, wall, book‑end, and bounce‑card angles

   • Mini softboxes, domes, and DIY diffusion tricks

3. Ambient–Flash Harmony

   • Shutter‑drag technique to keep backgrounds alive

   • High‑Speed Sync (HSS) for wide‑aperture, daylight portraits

   • “Second‑curtain storytelling” for motion trails and light‑painted frames

4. One‑Flash, Multi‑Look Workflow

   • Zoom head control for spot vs. flood effects

   • Swivel strategies to simulate two‑light and hair‑light patterns

   • Fast lens/ISO recipes that save battery life and recycle time

5. Color & Mood Control

   • Using CTO, CTB, and plus‑green gels for perfect skin tones

   • Creative color‑wash looks with dual‑gel layering

6. Real‑World Problem Solving

   • Killing red‑eye before it starts

   • Handling mirrors, glass, and sparkly fabrics

   • Quick‑shift fixes when the action won’t stop

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Live Shooting Lab

• Practice stations with models and still‑life sets to test techniques instantly

• Side‑by‑side comparisons of built‑in flash vs. speedlight results

• Instructor walk‑throughs of sample “panic scenarios” (dim ballrooms, mixed lighting, rainy nights)

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What You’ll Walk Away With

• Pocket‑sized field guide: cheat sheets for event, portrait, product, and nightlife settings

• Exposure recipe pack in printable PDF—TTL + Manual settings for 12 common lighting challenges

• Flash Modifiers Starter List with budget and premium options

• Certificate of Completion (digital badge) to showcase new skills to clients and peers

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Required Gear

• DSLR or mirrorless body with a hot‑shoe

• Your camera’s built‑in pop‑up flash or an external speedlight (any brand)

• Fully charged batteries + memory card

• Optional: bounce card, mini softbox, or gels if you own them (loaners available)

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Logistics

• Date / Time: See schedule on learn.360ism.com (multiple sessions monthly)

• Duration: 2 hours (90 min instruction + 30 min supervised practice)

• Location: 360ism Studios, 11 S 12th St., Richmond, VA, Suite 300D

• Class Size: Capped at 10 participants for personalized feedback

• Tuition: $149 (includes handouts, model fees, and light modifier demo kit)

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About Your Instructor

Daring Leaderman is the creative force behind 360ism Studios, DC Music & Models, and CRED Magazine, with over two decades in TV production, commercial photography, and high‑impact glamour work spanning Paris to Petra. His practical teaching style demystifies technical jargon and empowers photographers to create striking imagery—fast.