Lighting System

Multiple off-camera flashes & ratio control

Multiple lights provide truly detailed control over shape, depth, and dimension

Multiple lights produce soft lighting and shadows that accentuate subject detail

(A) Control flash (wireless control)
(B) Key (Remote 1)
(C) Fill (Remote 2)

The sample photo was taken with the 2-light setup shown here. The main light (B) is bounced off a screen to illuminate the subject from the right side, while the fill light (C) is positioned so that it softens the background shadows while simultaneously illuminating the subject from the rear to provide a subtle rim-lit effect. In this case flash (A) on the camera provides control signals only, but it can also be used to provide lighting as required.

Start with “key” and “fill” lights

Multiple off-camera flashes can really expand your options. A main off-camera “key light” provides primary illumination and defines the shape and location of lit areas and shadows. A second “fill light” fills in and softens the shadows produced by the key light. Other lights can be introduced to light the background or produce crisp edges as necessary.

Add a “rim” light for well-defined edges

In this 3-light example the key light (B) is used with a bounce umbrella to illuminate the subject from the left side, while fill light (C) directly illuminates the background. Rim light (D) provides a crisp line of light that defines the right side of the subject's face, arm, and dress, so that she stands out clearly from the background.

3 lights: B + C + D

2 lights: B + D

1 light: B

(A) Control flash (wireless control)
(B) Key (Remote 1)
(C) Fill (Remote 2)
(D) Rim (Remote 3)

Wireless multiple flash units with ratio control

Sony α-series cameras and HVL-F60M/HVL-F43AM/HVL-F58AM flash units make setting up and controlling advanced multiple flash setups like those describe above easy. Not only are the flash units controlled wirelessly, but up to three groups of flash units can be used simultaneously with the “control” flash wirelessly controlling the light ratios of the “remote” flashes. Rather than having to adjust the output level on each flash unit individually, you can simply set the desired light output ratio via the control flash interface.

Example
(1) HVL-F60M (Control flash
- flash/no flash selectable)
(2) Signal
(3) HVL-F43AM (Remote - flash)
(4) HVL-F60M (Remote - flash)
(5) Signal
(6) HVL-F60M (Remote - flash)

		HVL-F60M	HVL-F43AM	HVL-F20M	HVL-F20S	Built-in Flash
	Wireless Ratio/Controller	Available^12	Available^12	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Wireless Ratio/Remote	Available^*3	Available^*3	N/A	N/A	N/A
1 Availability may depend on the specifications of the camera used 2 Wireless remote flashes also required *3 Wireless controller (HVL-F60M, HVL-F43AM or HVL-F58AM) also required