Advanced Technique: Wireless Multiple Flash

One of the most intriguing advances in flash photography in recent years has been the introduction of truly wireless flash technology. Wireless flash lets you fire one or more remote flash units simultaneously with your on-camera flash (built-in or accessory). Professionals have long used remote multiple-flash systems to photograph subjects like sporting events and wildlife, but often had to rely on either hardwired flash units (can you imagine stringing flash cables to the roof of Madison Square Garden to photograph a basketball game?) or expensive and complex wireless transmitters.

Today many dSLR camera systems offer a much more simplified and somewhat less complicated method of firing extra flash units without any wires. These wireless photo systems use either a beam of light from the main (camera-mounted) flash unit or radio signals to fire additional accessory units without being connected to the camera in any way. You can also buy separate transmitters and receivers to do this if your camera lacks the technology. Yes, it’s expensive and there is a learning curve, but if you have a passion for photographing something that would benefit from using multiple flash heads, it’s nice to know the technology exists and is accessible to the average photographer (not that you’re average in any way, of course).