Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
On this practical course we will explore the effects of flash (both positive and negative) on the quality of photographic images, including freezing action, reducing digital noise, and controlling contrast and colour. You will be working in pairs and small groups on practical exercises both inside the studio and (if you are able) outside in the immediate environment (no more than 5 minutes’ walk away).
What will we cover?
Limitations of the built-in camera flash
Using flash (speedlights) in automatic, semi-automatic and manual mode
Bounced flash
Mixing flash with ambient light
Off-camera flash
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Photograph indoors and outdoors using on-camera flash
Use bounce flash indoors effectively to improve the quality of your images
Use fill-in flash
Mix flash with ambient light to alter contrast
Use and trigger flash ‘off-camera’
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate course and suitable for and those who wish to experiment with using flash in a creative and accessible way. You must be able to use your camera in auto, semi-automatic and manual mode. As such, it is ideal for those who have completed our Photography for beginners course. If you haven't don't worry, we just need you to understand ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and how to change these on your DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera (i.e. not a point-and-shoot camera). You must have manual functions on your camera (i.e. be able to change the aperture and shutter speed settings). Camera phones have no mechanism for firing flash and are inappropriate for the course.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussion. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short talks, demonstrations, practical individual and group exercises and individual assistance.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your camera with full manual control and a flash gun (if you have either or both) to the class, and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony), tripods, lenses and flash guns which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Once you’ve mastered speedlight, you might wish to progress to Studio Lighting, Mastering Wedding Photography or Portraits and People Photography.
Ed Gregory is a multi-talented Entrepreneur and photographer. As the owner of Edwin James photography and Picturesnap photography, Ed has over 32 years of experience in Hair and Beauty, Fashion, commercial photography, as well as family portraiture, events, and high-end wedding photography. Each of the businesses covers different aspects of this portfolio. He is an expert in shooting in Natural light, Mixed-light, and studio lighting and holds full professional qualifications with the MPA, BIPP, and the Guild of photographers. Ed's photographic and award-winning retouching and image-making have received accreditations and awards by all of the above national and international governing bodies mentioned. Teaching and Learning are a massive part of Ed's Life, and he feels it's essential to pass on knowledge. His background in education started in 1998, delivering HNC photography to London Students. Joining the CityLit team was a natural progression that has allowed him to give back some of the fantastic knowledge and experience he has accumulated over his long career. Software expertice in retouching using - Photoshop - Lightroom - Creative Cloud
Matthew WardSee moreSee less
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/photography-in-a-day-flash-with-speedlight2486152Photography in a day: Flash with speedlighthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/l/flash_with_speedlight_-_vy914_1-1080.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Photography skills & workshops22851132170217561228511321702<p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p>00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/l/flash_with_speedlight_-_vy914_2-1080.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/h/photography_for_beginners-9.jpg3030637Photography in a day: flash with speedlight149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/l/flash_with_speedlight_-_vy914_1-1080_5.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceNov 2026Art & designVY914149149Photography in a day: flash with speedlight149149149Matthew Wardphotography-in-a-day-flash-with-speedlight/vy914-2627<p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-05 00:00:00<p>On this practical course we will explore the effects of flash (both positive and negative) on the quality of photographic images, including freezing action, reducing digital noise, and controlling contrast and colour. You will be working in pairs and small groups on practical exercises both inside the studio and (if you are able) outside in the immediate environment (no more than 5 minutes’ walk away).</p><p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p><ul><li>Limitations of the built-in camera flash</li><li>Using flash (speedlights) in automatic, semi-automatic and manual mode</li><li>Bounced flash</li><li>Mixing flash with ambient light</li><li>Off-camera flash</li></ul><ul><li>Photograph indoors and outdoors using on-camera flash</li><li>Use bounce flash indoors effectively to improve the quality of your images</li><li>Use fill-in flash</li><li>Mix flash with ambient light to alter contrast</li><li>Use and trigger flash ‘off-camera’</li></ul><p>This is an intermediate course and suitable for and those who wish to experiment with using flash in a creative and accessible way. You must be able to use your camera in auto, semi-automatic and manual mode. As such, it is ideal for those who have completed our Photography for beginners course. If you haven't don't worry, we just need you to understand ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and how to change these on your DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera (i.e. not a point-and-shoot camera). You must have manual functions on your camera (i.e. be able to change the aperture and shutter speed settings). Camera phones have no mechanism for firing flash and are inappropriate for the course.</p><p><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussion. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short talks, demonstrations, practical individual and group exercises and individual assistance.</p><p>Please bring your camera with full manual control and a flash gun (if you have either or both) to the class, and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony), tripods, lenses and flash guns which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.</p><p>Once you’ve mastered speedlight, you might wish to progress to Studio Lighting, Mastering Wedding Photography or Portraits and People Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography skills & workshopsvirtual2540107Photography in a day: Flash with speedlight129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/l/flash_with_speedlight_-_vy914_1-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-05-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceMay 2026Art & designVY386129129Photography in a day: Flash with speedlight129129129Ed Gregoryphotography-in-a-day-flash-with-speedlight/vy386-2526<p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-15 00:00:00<p>On this practical course we will explore the effects of flash (both positive and negative) on the quality of photographic images, including freezing action, reducing digital noise, and controlling contrast and colour. You will be working in pairs and small groups on practical exercises both inside the studio and (if you are able) outside in the immediate environment (no more than 5 minutes’ walk away).</p><p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p><ul><li>Limitations of the built-in camera flash</li><li>Using flash (speedlights) in automatic, semi-automatic and manual mode</li><li>Bounced flash</li><li>Mixing flash with ambient light</li><li>Off-camera flash</li></ul><ul><li>Photograph indoors and outdoors using on-camera flash</li><li>Use bounce flash indoors effectively to improve the quality of your images</li><li>Use fill-in flash</li><li>Mix flash with ambient light to alter contrast</li><li>Use and trigger flash ‘off-camera’</li></ul><p>This is an intermediate course and suitable for and those who wish to experiment with using flash in a creative and accessible way. You must be able to use your camera in auto, semi-automatic and manual mode. As such, it is ideal for those who have completed our Photography for beginners course. If you haven't don't worry, we just need you to understand ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and how to change these on your DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera (i.e. not a point-and-shoot camera). You must have manual functions on your camera (i.e. be able to change the aperture and shutter speed settings). Camera phones have no mechanism for firing flash and are inappropriate for the course.</p><p><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussion. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short talks, demonstrations, practical individual and group exercises and individual assistance.</p><p>Please bring your camera with full manual control and a flash gun (if you have either or both) to the class, and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony), tripods, lenses and flash guns which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.</p><p>Once you’ve mastered speedlight, you might wish to progress to Studio Lighting, Mastering Wedding Photography or Portraits and People Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography skills & workshopsvirtual149,129149,129149,129VY914,VY386NONEThu,Fri15/05/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMatthew Ward,Ed GregoryBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00,2026-05-15T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026,May 2026Art & design129149,129Photography in a day: flash with speedlight,Photography in a day: Flash with speedlightphotography-in-a-day-flash-with-speedlight/vy914-2627,photography-in-a-day-flash-with-speedlight/vy386-2526<p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-15 00:00:00<p>On this practical course we will explore the effects of flash (both positive and negative) on the quality of photographic images, including freezing action, reducing digital noise, and controlling contrast and colour. You will be working in pairs and small groups on practical exercises both inside the studio and (if you are able) outside in the immediate environment (no more than 5 minutes’ walk away).</p><p>Learn the basics of using flash on camera (speedlights) to enhance your images. Experiment creatively indoors and outdoors with different flash techniques, with a professional photographer on hand to guide you throughout.</p><ul><li>Limitations of the built-in camera flash</li><li>Using flash (speedlights) in automatic, semi-automatic and manual mode</li><li>Bounced flash</li><li>Mixing flash with ambient light</li><li>Off-camera flash</li></ul><ul><li>Photograph indoors and outdoors using on-camera flash</li><li>Use bounce flash indoors effectively to improve the quality of your images</li><li>Use fill-in flash</li><li>Mix flash with ambient light to alter contrast</li><li>Use and trigger flash ‘off-camera’</li></ul><p>This is an intermediate course and suitable for and those who wish to experiment with using flash in a creative and accessible way. You must be able to use your camera in auto, semi-automatic and manual mode. As such, it is ideal for those who have completed our Photography for beginners course. If you haven't don't worry, we just need you to understand ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and how to change these on your DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera (i.e. not a point-and-shoot camera). You must have manual functions on your camera (i.e. be able to change the aperture and shutter speed settings). Camera phones have no mechanism for firing flash and are inappropriate for the course.</p><p><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussion. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short talks, demonstrations, practical individual and group exercises and individual assistance.</p><p>Please bring your camera with full manual control and a flash gun (if you have either or both) to the class, and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. City Lit has a range of digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon and Sony), tripods, lenses and flash guns which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class.</p><p>Once you’ve mastered speedlight, you might wish to progress to Studio Lighting, Mastering Wedding Photography or Portraits and People Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography skills & workshopsconfigurable
