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Charlie Borland

UPDATE: 9/2023 Intro to Generative AI FillUPDATE: 8/2023 Updated video on Adding Light Within a SceneUPDATES: 2/2022 How to Add the WOW  Factor to an Outdoor Adventure PhotoUPDATES: 11/2021 How to add Christmas lights to a cactus and light a tent with flash

Are you passionate about your landscape and outdoor photography but unhappy with your photography results because the photos don't look like you hoped for?

Do you have any idea WHY they don't look like you wanted?

Read more

UPDATE: 9/2023 Intro to Generative AI FillUPDATE: 8/2023 Updated video on Adding Light Within a SceneUPDATES: 2/2022 How to Add the WOW  Factor to an Outdoor Adventure PhotoUPDATES: 11/2021 How to add Christmas lights to a cactus and light a tent with flash

Are you passionate about your landscape and outdoor photography but unhappy with your photography results because the photos don't look like you hoped for?

Do you have any idea WHY they don't look like you wanted?

If you are like me you’ve been out in the field photographing some amazing scenery or action-adventure only to return to your office with disappointing results and then wonder what needs to change.   

It could be the exposure, composition, or one of the biggest reasons photos fail: lighting.

The answer just might be that you need that special sauce added to your photos.    

What If I could show you some techniques that take your outdoor and nature photography from ho-hum to wow, and at no risk to you, wouldn’t you want to know about it?   

I have been photographing for over 30 years and many times I did not get the results I wanted. 

I would photograph and then analyze the photograph trying to figure out why the photographs didn’t look as cool as they did when I was in the field.  Often the problem was lighting so I tried software like HDR and others, but soon realized that HDR was limited and that software does not really create quality light. It was so disappointing.    

Then one day I decided to incorporate a pretty simple technique of adding light to some of my scenes and what I learned was, in many cases, the results were more dramatic outdoor and nature photography.   

So, I began to experiment by adding light to many of my outdoor subjects, and during this time I developed some techniques that allow me to show my subjects the way that I envisioned in the first place.

I also learned that Flash is not just for photographing people indoors.  Flash can create amazing lighting effects for outdoor scenes and subjects.   

What you need is someone to show you how to get creative with your lighting by not solely relying on Mother Nature to provide perfect outdoor light. By giving me a chance, I will show you today how to take control of lighting and create the images you envision so that by tomorrow your photographs will look better and more dramatic.   

In this course, I will show you:  

  • The tools of the trade from flashes to mounting devices   

  • How flash lighting works with outdoor light and lighting fundamentals   

  • How to make your subject stand out   

  • How to photograph wildflowers in the field with added drama   

  • How to add light to landscape photographs   

  • How to photograph outdoor portraits with multiple flashes   

  • How to light a camping scene   

  • How to create dramatic action sports photographs like mountain biking or rafting using multiple wireless flashes.   

  • How to get creative with light like Light Painting and spotlighting techniques.   

    I will show you all this right now so that by the next time you photograph you will be looking at better photography in simple and complex photo setups   

Please understand this course is not for you if you only watch one video and never apply what you learned to your photography. This course is for people who love to photograph and want to apply the techniques demonstrated in this course.   

Yes, while you can certainly watch YouTube videos and read blogs here and there and probably learn something, you can get this course right now packed full of examples and information, all for a very low price.   

Who’s the Instructor?   

There are many courses on how to be an amazing photographer, but how many are taught by true professionals who have a career and worked as a photographer?   

I was formally trained at Brooks Institute in the 1980s and have worked every day since. I have been published in countless magazines (you’ve no doubt heard of), calendars, outdoor product manufacturers, and had my outdoor images used thousands of times.

I have taught photo workshops across the USA and the Middle East. Founded two stock photo agencies, and sold thousands of stock photos. I love to teach and want to ensure you succeed and love photography like I do. You can trust me to teach you photography.  

Take your photography to the next level.

The mission of this course is to show you techniques you may not have been aware of and apply those techniques for more dramatic photographs.

Are you ready to discover simple and easy-to-follow strategies for creating beautiful photographs that I have used for 30 years in my professional business? 

Want to learn more about this course? Click to watch the video above.Enroll today. Just click Take This Course now so you can get started right away.  

And you can review this course for FREE.  Did you also know that if you don’t like the course, you can get a 100% refund, meaning there is

 

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn how to dramatically improve your outdoor lighting on your outdoor subjects
  • You will know how to add light to landscapes, macro, sports, and people
  • You will understand how to go beyond the basics and create amazing photography
  • You will know how to create storytelling light that takes your photographs beyond the mundane
  • If you dont understand flash, you will learn quickly in this course

Syllabus

Have a clear understanding of lighting fundamentals
Introduction to this Course
Understanding the Difference Between Ambient Light and Flash Light
Read more
Understanding the Exposure Triangle
Understanding the Inverse Square Law

Choose which is part of the exposure triangle

Gain and understandng of the flash and related accessories
Accessories for Wireless Flash
Important Features of the Flash Unit
How Shooting Modes Work with Flash
What to Use: Aperture Priority or Program Mode?
The Importance of Sync Speed
How to Apply Exposure Compensation to Flash Pictures
The Value of ETTL Functionality
Here is your assignment # 1: Shooting modes
Gain an understanding of manipulating light from a flash for an effect
How to Make Great Photos With Flash Exposure Compensation
The Advantage of Manual Flash
Changing Depth of Field when using Flash
How to Use Flash Key
The Advantage of Flash Fill
Using Flash Fill on a Desert Cactus
Modifying Light from a Flash
How to Use Flash Off-Camera

Which of these three scenarios is correct?

Here is Your Assignment #2: Key Flash and Fill Flash
Gain an understanding of how the flash can be friggered wirelessly
Triggering Off_camera Flash with Infra Red Signal
Triggering Off-Camera Nikon Flash with Infra Red Signal
Triggering off-Camera Flash with Radio Signal
Gain an understaning of lighting technques for outdoor portraits
Introduction to 1, 2, 3, 4, Light Portraits
One Light Portraits
Two Light Portraits
Photographing Cowboys with Two Lights
Three Light Portraits
Four Light Portraits
Photographing Portraits Outdoors Pt 1
Photographing Portraits Outdoors Pt 2
Photographing Portraits Outdoors Pt 3
Photographing Portraits Outdoors Pt 4
The Outdoor Apparel Photo Shoot

Where are lights placed for effect?

Here's Your Assignment #3: The Outdoor Portrait
Gain an understanding in how you can add light to ladscape photos
Using Flash in Landscape Photography
Lighting Lupine Wildflowers Pt 1
Lighting Lupine Wildflowers Pt2

This video demostrates lighting a group of flowers in a landscape photo.

Gain an understanding of techniques for close-up subjects
Flash Lighting for Macro Close-Ups
Macro Photography in the Field
How to Prevent Blurring Flowers
Here's your assignment #4: Close-ups
Gain an understanding of lighting subjects that move or are far away
Using Flash Lighting for Action Adventure Sports
Using Multiple Flashes for Action Subjects
Photographing a Mountain Biker with Multiple Flash Units
Cool Gadget: The Bettter Beamer
Here's your assignment #5: Action
Gain an understanding on lighting campfires, sunflare, and more
How to Photograph the Perfect Campfire
How to Create Sunbursts on People Outdoors
How to Create Colorful Effects with Lighting Gels
Creating Fake Sunlight on Nature & Outdoor Subjects
Photographing a Hiker in Forest with Wireless Flash

Watch as I demonstrate light painting using flash on this historic stone cabin in the desert.

Watch as I demonstrate the Photoshop steps to compositing this image and adding a night sky.

Here's your assignment #6
Gain an understanding of how light can tell a story
Telling Stories with Light

In this video, we show how we hid a light within the scene to light a person outdoors.

The Fine Art of Spotlighting with Flash
Painting Nature Subjects with Light from Flash
Photographing Cavers inside a Cave

We will demonstrate how to add a dramatic background to an outdoor person lit by the spotlighting technique.

These new tools from Photoshop greatly expand the options for images we create and this video shows you our first impressions.

Here's your assignment #7: Hide-a-flash
Downloadable Pocket Guide
Bonus Lectures
BONUS LECTURE: Private Workshops and More Excellent Learning Opportunities

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Using Wireless Speedlights in Adventure & Nature Photography with these activities:
Review Exposure Triangle Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of the exposure triangle to better control ambient light and flash balance.
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining the exposure triangle.
  • Practice adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in manual mode.
  • Take photos in different lighting conditions and analyze the results.
Read 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson
Deepen your understanding of exposure to improve your flash photography techniques.
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Complete the exercises in each chapter.
  • Apply the concepts learned to your own photography projects.
Practice Flash Exposure Compensation
Refine your ability to adjust flash power relative to ambient light for balanced exposures.
Show steps
  • Set up a scene with both ambient light and a flash.
  • Take multiple photos, varying the flash exposure compensation.
  • Analyze the results and note the effect of each adjustment.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Lighting Setup Diagram
Solidify your understanding of multi-light setups by diagramming the placement and settings of each light.
Show steps
  • Choose a photograph you've taken with multiple flashes.
  • Create a diagram showing the position of each flash, the subject, and the camera.
  • Note the power settings and any modifiers used on each flash.
Project: Light a Camping Scene
Apply your knowledge to create a compelling camping scene using wireless speedlights.
Show steps
  • Plan your camping scene, considering composition and lighting.
  • Set up your scene and position your wireless speedlights.
  • Take multiple photos, adjusting the flash power and position as needed.
  • Edit your photos to achieve the desired look.
Write a Blog Post: Wireless Flash Tips
Share your knowledge and insights on using wireless flash with other photographers.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific aspect of wireless flash photography to focus on.
  • Write a blog post explaining the concept and providing tips and examples.
  • Include photos to illustrate your points.
Read 'The Hot Shoe Diaries' by Joe McNally
Learn advanced lighting techniques from a master photographer to elevate your outdoor flash photography.
Show steps
  • Read the book and study the lighting diagrams.
  • Try to replicate some of McNally's lighting setups.
  • Analyze how he uses light to create mood and tell stories.

Career center

Learners who complete Using Wireless Speedlights in Adventure & Nature Photography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Adventure Photographer
An adventure photographer specializes in capturing images of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rafting. They often work in extreme environments and must be skilled at both photography and the activity they are documenting. If you want to become an adventure photographer, this course helps to develop your skills in using wireless speedlights to capture dynamic action shots. It also helps you understand techniques such as how to use multiple wireless flashes for sports photography, and how to light a camping scene. This course is particularly useful as it directly addresses how to create dramatic action sports photographs, a key skill for any adventure photographer.
Nature Photographer
A nature photographer captures the beauty and drama of the natural world. This often involves traveling to remote locations and working in challenging conditions to document landscapes, wildlife, and natural phenomena. This course helps nature photographers master the use of wireless speedlights to enhance their images. It will also help you understand lighting fundamentals, manipulate light from a flash, and use light to tell a story. By learning how to control and add light, a nature photographer can create more compelling and visually stunning photographs. The course content on lighting landscapes, wildflowers, and creating sunbursts directly applies to the work a nature photographer does.
Landscape Photographer
A landscape photographer focuses on capturing the beauty and grandeur of natural landscapes. These individuals require a keen eye for composition and lighting, as well as technical skills in camera operation and post-processing. To be a landscape photographer, this course helps to develop skills in outdoor lighting. It will also help you understand how to add light to landscape photographs and create storytelling light. By learning to manipulate light, a landscape photographer can create images that convey depth, mood, and emotion. The course is especially relevant due to its sections on lighting wildflowers and creating sunbursts, which can greatly enhance landscape photography.
Outdoor Portrait Photographer
An outdoor portrait photographer specializes in capturing portraits of people in natural outdoor settings. This requires a strong understanding of lighting, composition, and posing. To be an outdoor portrait photographer, this course helps you understand how to use wireless flashes to create flattering and dramatic portraits in any outdoor setting. It also helps you learn lighting techniques for outdoor portraits with multiple flashes. This course is particularly valuable because it dedicates several sections to portrait photography, including using one, two, three, and four-light setups, which is essential knowledge for any aspiring outdoor portrait photographer.
Travel Photographer
A travel photographer captures images of people, cultures, landscapes, and landmarks around the world. These images are often used in magazines, books, and websites to inspire and inform travelers. To be a travel photographer, this course helps you develop skills in using wireless speedlights to enhance your travel images. It also helps you understand how to add light to landscapes and outdoor scenes. By learning to control and manipulate light, a travel photographer can create more compelling and visually appealing photographs that capture the essence of their destinations. The course's sections on lighting landscapes and creating storytelling light are particularly relevant.
Sports Photographer
A sports photographer captures images of sporting events, athletes, and related activities. This requires quick reflexes, technical expertise, and an ability to anticipate key moments. For a sports photographer, this course helps develop skills in using wireless speedlights to capture dynamic action shots. It also helps you understand how to use multiple wireless flashes for action subjects. The course's focus on photographing action sports like mountain biking and rafting makes it especially relevant for any aspiring sports photographer looking to enhance their skills with advanced lighting techniques.
Wildlife Photographer
A wildlife photographer specializes in capturing images of animals in their natural habitats. This often requires patience, persistence, and a deep understanding of animal behavior. To be a wildlife photographer, this course helps develop skills in using wireless speedlights to enhance your wildlife images. It also helps you understand techniques for adding light to landscapes and creating dramatic scenes. The course's focus on outdoor lighting and creating dramatic effects can be particularly useful for capturing stunning images of wildlife in various environments and lighting conditions.
Wedding Photographer
A wedding photographer captures images of weddings, documenting the ceremony, reception, and other key moments of the day. This requires a combination of technical skills, artistic vision, and interpersonal skills. This course teaches you how to use wireless speedlights to enhance your outdoor photography to capture stunning wedding photos. It will also help you understand how to add light to your photos by controlling and manipulating it, skills that can be used for wedding photography. The techniques in this course will guide you in capturing the precious moments, especially outdoors.
Fine Art Photographer
A fine art photographer creates images for artistic expression, often exploring themes, emotions, and concepts through their work. This requires a strong artistic vision and technical mastery of photography. To be a fine art photographer, this course helps develop your skills in manipulating light and creating unique visual effects. It also helps you learn how to use wireless speedlights to achieve your artistic vision. The techniques taught in this course can be especially valuable for fine art photographers who want to push the boundaries of their creativity and explore new ways of using light in their work. Knowledge of spotlighting and painting with light from flash will be particularly helpful.
Photography Instructor
A photography instructor teaches photography to students of all levels, sharing your knowledge, skills, and passion for the art form. This course may be useful for a photography instructor since it will inform them on techniques and knowledge in outdoor photography. They in turn will be able to transfer this knowledge to their students. The techniques in this course will guide them to teach students how to add light to your photos, and create effects outdoors.
Commercial Photographer
A commercial photographer creates images for businesses to use in advertising, marketing, and public relations. This type of photography can encompass a wide range of subjects, from products and services to people and places. For a commercial photographer, this course may be useful in helping to improve the quality and impact of outdoor and nature-related commercial photography. It also helps you understand the tools and techniques for using wireless speedlights to enhance images, add drama, and control lighting in various outdoor scenarios. The knowledge gained from this course might be particularly beneficial for commercial photographers who need to capture high-quality images for clients in the outdoor and adventure industries.
Photojournalist
A photojournalist tells stories through images, often covering news events, social issues, and human-interest stories. They must be skilled at capturing candid moments and conveying emotion through their photographs. For a photojournalist, this course may be useful in developing your skills in using light to enhance your visual storytelling. It also helps you understand how to use wireless speedlights. By mastering these lighting techniques, a photojournalist can create more impactful images that capture the essence of the stories they are trying to tell.
Event Photographer
An event photographer captures images of various events, such as corporate events, concerts, and parties. This requires the ability to work quickly and efficiently in dynamic environments. This course may be useful for an event photographer who covers outdoor events. They will be able to capture important moments by applying the techniques to controlling and manipulating outdoor light. For instance, they can use flash to create effects outdoors, making the scene more dynamic.
Real Estate Photographer
A real estate photographer captures images of properties for sale or rent. These images are used in online listings, brochures, and other marketing materials to attract potential buyers or tenants. This course may be useful for a real estate photographer who wishes to photograph exterior shots of properties in an appealing way. The course may also provide basic information on lighting that informs how they approach photographing the interiors of homes. Since real estate photography typically takes place indoors, this course is not as relevant.
Fashion Photographer
A fashion photographer creates images for magazines, advertising campaigns, and other fashion-related media. This requires a strong sense of style, creativity, and technical expertise in lighting and posing. This course may be useful for a fashion photographer who is interested in outdoor shots. They will learn techniques that allow them to control lighting and create effects outdoors, where the elements may be less predictable. Since much fashion photography takes place indoors, this course is not as relevant.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Using Wireless Speedlights in Adventure & Nature Photography.
Provides a comprehensive guide to mastering exposure in photography. It covers aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and their relationships in detail. Understanding Exposure is particularly helpful for grasping the fundamentals needed to effectively use flash in outdoor settings. It is commonly used as a reference by both amateur and professional photographers.
Offers insights into Joe McNally's approach to location lighting using speedlights. It provides real-world examples and behind-the-scenes stories. The Hot Shoe Diaries is valuable for understanding how to solve lighting challenges in various outdoor scenarios. It serves as additional reading to expand on the course's techniques.

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