This exercise explores the use of flash to bring out a foreground subject. This is something I have previously used on my old camera, which had an on camera flash. An example of a self portrait is shown below. Taken in Times Square, NYC, the use of flash creates a better balance of subject and bright lights of the background. This was fairly straight forward as it only required reducing the power of the flash for a more natural look.
My current camera has an external flash, which has rarely been used. Developing my understanding of lighting (including flash) is one of my areas to improve. After a number of experiments with the strength of the flash, shutter speed and aperture the following image was taken.
Small changes to the setting, particularly with the power of the flash made a big difference to how natural the lighting of the subject is. Images shot with the subject further back in the room needed the output strength of the flash turning up.
Having gained confidence with the settings on the camera and speedlight, the next step is to take more images outside.
Karen Gourlay: Foundations in Photography 