Get Schooled on Shutter/Flash Synchronization

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pduncan.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.pduncan.com/</a><br /><br /></div><p><object width="600" height="360" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/hvZ6VujbhjM&amp;ap=%26fmt=18" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hvZ6VujbhjM&amp;ap=%26fmt=18" /></object></p><p>I have to confess, at least 50% of this was above my head, but it was still quite interesting to watch. If you want to understand shutter speed and flash usage, it's worth watching.</p>

[John London]

I think I am more confused now, nothing new for me.:confused:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

TLDR: Your sensor's entire area isn't exposed by the shutter all at the same time, so using too fast a shutter speed with a flash results in only a fraction of the image being lit by the flash. Don't use a speed past your camera's stated flash sync speed (most modern cameras have it at 1/125 or 1/250) when you have a flash in use.

(or should it be TLDW? :P)

[ptyork]

Further reinforcing the obvious fact that I'm a capital "A" Amateur, that taught me a LOT. Thanks, Jason! More please!

[Brad Adrian]

And if you're lucky enough to have a camera with both "beginning" and "ending" flash synch, you can get some cool motion effects!