Slow-sync flash is the name given to long exposure photography where a flash is used. This can create various effects but basically freezes the photo while still allowing for motion blur. This cannot be replicated realistically in photoshop (unless you are a photo editing ninja) so have your camera at the ready.
On a point-and-shoot camera all you need to do is switch your camera to “Night Portrait” mode or just the normal “Night” mode but with the flash turned on. This will cause the camera to fire the flash but still maintain a long exposure.
Below I will show you some of my examples of slow sync flash photography and explain to you how I achieved each effect. Please post any questions or feedback you might have in the comments below.
Note: Because the flash is at the beginning of the exposure, sometimes the subject will look like it is moving backwards because the motion blur is in front rather than behind. This can be fixed by moving the subject backwards (instead of forwards) or setting your camera to use the flash at the end of the exposure (known as Rear sync curtain) although this cannot be done on many cameras.
This is my favourite slow sync photo that I have taken. To achieve this effect I held the Joker card in front of my chair. When I pressed the shutter button I swung my hand from right to left creating the blur that you can see. I then put up the contrast, saturation and sharpness in iPhoto.
For this effect (which I think is reminiscent of the dementors in Harry Potter as they suck the life out of people) instead of moving the subject I moved the entire camera across. As you can see the image is frozen at the time the flash fires and any other movement is blurred across the photo if it is lit well enough. I had a desk lamp pointed at my face so the blur was more visible.
This is another favourite of mine. It was more of an experimental photo with the cards on the floor and instead of moving the camera or subject across I moved it towards the floor and closer to the cards. It was hard to get the right lighting so a few test shots were needed. Obviously I then made it black and white and also put up the contrast a bit.
I was taking long exposure photos of my slot car track (beneath) when I decided to see how the photo would look with the flash on (top). The result was not the best of photos but nonetheless it was another unique example of slow sync flash photography. You can still see the trail of the headlights of the car even though the rest of the track is illuminated (unlike my other similar photos).
This is not really a good photo but I thought I’d show you anyway because it is funny. All I did was point the camera at the guy, waited for the flash and then waved it around at some lights. He did not find it funny.
That is all I have for you right now. If you know anything I should add or have any questions please comment below.
ha ha! that guy really does look funny!