Lighting

Nikon announced the newest iteration of its flagship speedlight today, in the form of the Nikon SB-910. While it’s physical flash output and specs haven’t change much, compared to its predecessor, the SB-900, the biggest updates come in the form of increased durability and an improved user-interface.

"Wires are for chumps," declares Arizona pro Bruce Dorn.If you agree and haven't yet taken the wireless plunge, you have some decisions to make. First and foremost is how to go wireless: with an infrared or radio system.Infrared systems such as those made by Canon and Nikon communicate using pulsating beams of light that travel in a direct line of sight between a camera-based transmitter and flash-based receiver.

Syl Arena, author of The Indispensible Speedliter’s Handbook (Peachpit Press, 2011), puts it well: To create interesting pictures, you need interesting light. And to create interesting light, you need interesting shadows.How do you create those shadows? By moving the flash off-camera. On-camera flash produces a coarse light that draws flat, shapeless subjects with harsh highlights and black shadows. Think snapshot.

Looking for something to do this weekend? We humbly suggest you bust out your camera flash (or flashes) and create a submission for our October Photo Challenge. We're looking for a fantastic photo shot with off-camera flash. Whether you trigger it wirelessly or you go old school with a sync cord, you can put it anywhere except your hot shoe (unless you're using the hot-shoe flash as a trigger).