Slow Sync - Definition Post

What is slow sync flash?

Slow sync flash is an advanced term for using your flash, with a slow shutter speed. It allows you to keep your subject sharp while capturing motion/a dark background. This captures the ambient light, and its motion. You can chose to have the flash come at the beginning or the end of your exposure; if the flash comes at the beginning, this is known as 'front curtain', whereas if it's at the end it's known as the 'rear curtain'. A dark background is needed in order to capture more of the motion/ambience. 

Equipment needed:

Light source

Tripod

Subject

Light meter

Dark background

Snoot

Reflector 

Modelling light 

Monoblock studio lights  

In class we were given this image to analyse, and demonstrate to use how the slo sync technique works. You can evidently see how the young boy has moved and changed positions, this is due to the flash. The dark background allows the movement to be shown more clearly. The slow shutter speed allows the movement to be shown, as without this you would get a clear image, with all in focus. You can see the change in movement also through the boy being extremely bright and in focus where he finished, compared to the blurred movement behind him which is darker, as he has moved, therefore the camera didn't have much time to capture him in this stance, in comparison to how much time it had to capture, and light up him when he finishes his movement- this is also due to a lack of light.