Learn to use HSS in the studio

Studio flash with HSS function gives you the opportunity to freely choose the shutter speed on the camera down to 1/8000 second which means that strong sunlight can be balanced with flash light. HSS can also be used to create images with a very shallow depth of field by using lenses with a large aperture, without the general light in the enviroment interfering with the image. We tell you more.

Portrait photos with a shallow depth of field

Shallow depth of field in portrait gives the image extra intensity and highlights parts of the subject that the photographer has chosen to focus on. The eyes get extra sharpness and although the background can be disturbingly messy, the short depth of field creates a blurred blur that does not distract from the impression of the image.

The flash sync speed can be a limitation

The large aperture naturally means that more light is let through the lens and hits the camera's sensor, which can then be compensated by choosing a faster shutter speed, which is not always possible when shooting with studio flashes. All camera models with curtain shutters, which most SLR cameras are equipped with, have a specified flash sync time. Often this sync time is 1/200s to 1/250s and if you choose a shorter shutter speed, part of the image will be shadowed by the camera's curtain shutter. This limits the photographer's creativity.

Canon R5 | 85mm | f/1.6

Are there any disadvantages to choose a large aperture?

If you choose a large aperture and this cannot be compensated with a short shutter speed, existing light can illuminate parts of the image that can be perceived as disturbing. By using studio flash with HSS, the photographer can choose for himself that no or very little existing light should be included in the final result.

Light shaper close to the subject

The large aperture in combination with placing the light shaper close to the subject, gives the photographer the opportunity to emphasize parts of the subject. Both sharpness and brightness decrease quickly in the image. By choosing a shutter speed shorter than the camera's regular flash sync time, the flash will switch to HSS technology, which means that the flash light pulses very quickly to provide even exposure over the entire image surface. The HSS technology also means that the minimum brightness of the flash is lowered, which is an advantage for this type of photography.

HSS flash sync

HSS is a flash function which means that the photographer can freely choose a shutter speed down to 1/8000 second. For this to be possible, a remote control of the flash is required that is dedicated to the camera model used and that the flash has HSS technology built-in. This combination of emitter and flash will automatically adjust the flash light so that the photographer can fully concentrate on the subject and balance the light in the image.

Canon R5 | 85mm | f/1.6

Remote control and studio flashes with HSS technology