Two-Exposure Separation Method
Set ambient mood with shutter speed first, verify your black-frame baseline when needed, and layer clean directional strobe onto your subject.
Photography & Lighting
Program #033 · Photography
✓ Free Online Intro Included
Off-Camera Flash & Portable Strobe Lighting
Master manual flash fractions, sync speed limits, High-Speed Sync outdoors, and color-gel balancing so you control light in any interior or midday sun.
Off-camera flash feels intimidating only until you separate two independent exposures inside one frame: shutter speed governs ambient room or sky brightness, while aperture and flash output govern your subject. Through hands-on indoor and outdoor drills, you replace unpredictable TTL swings with repeatable manual strobe control.
✓ Free Online Introductory Session
Start with a free online intro consultation for this course: we review the syllabus together, clarify how many sessions you need based on your goals and pace, and decide whether continuing Online ($69 CAD/hr) or In-Person ($99 CAD/hr) suits you best.
First Session
Free Online Intro
Session Rates
$69/hr Online · $99/hr In-Person
Course Structure
Tailored to Your Level & Pace
Instructor & Language
Iman Adlkhah · EN & Persian
Need on-location photography for your team, brand, or listing in Toronto & GTA? Explore our Toronto Photography Services, configure a shoot on Book Online, or see recent shoots on @tehranto.plus on Instagram.
Course Learning Pillars
Core Capabilities Developed in This Course
Every learner starts from a different background. These are the core capabilities this course develops, paced to your goals across the sessions we plan together.
Consistent Manual Power Fractions
Work fluently across `1/128` to `1/1` manual stops so dark suits, bridal white, or reflective walls never trick your flash output.
Outdoor Sun Control: HSS vs ND Filters
Know when to engage High-Speed Sync versus neutral-density filtration to shoot wide-aperture portraits against rich, dramatic skies.
Tungsten Gel Matching & Rim Separation
Warm your flash with CTO gels inside tungsten cafés and reception halls so skin stays natural while ambient lamps remain warm.
Course Syllabus
Core Concepts & Topics Covered
Below are the main concepts and topics covered in this course. In your Free Online Intro Session, we align the exact depth and number of sessions to your experience and goals.
Topic 01
Radio Triggers, X-Sync Curtains & Manual Stops
Pair multi-group triggers, see why shutter curtains clip above X-Sync speed, and build indoor portraits from a clean ambient base.
- Configuring wireless channels, IDs, and A/B/C group ratios
- Testing the black-frame ambient check at 1/200s and ISO 100
- Using TTL-to-Manual conversion as a fast starting meter
Topic 02
Balancing Outdoor Sun, Shade & Dramatic Skies
Step outdoors to overpower harsh overhead sun, hold rich sky texture, and rig modifiers safely against urban wind.
- Underexposing bright sky by 1 to 1.5 stops and filling face cleanly
- Comparing High-Speed Sync power loss against a 3-stop ND filter
- Ballasting light stands and positioning compact umbrellas/octaboxes
Topic 03
Two-Light Rim Separation & Color-Gel Matching
Add a second rim or background speedlight for 3D separation and match warm interior lamps without orange skin casts.
- Placing a gridded kicker/rim flash behind the subject without lens flare
- Combining 1/2 CTO gel with 3200K–3800K camera Kelvin indoors
- Bouncing a bare speedlight into neutral walls or ceilings in emergencies
Topic 04
Action Freezing, Recycle Pacing & Battery Strategy
Use short flash pulse duration (`t.1`) to freeze motion indoors and manage recycle rhythm during fast-paced event coverage.
- Why 1/32–1/64 flash duration freezes motion sharper than shutter speed
- Raising ISO from 100 to 400 to cut recycle wait and save battery heat
- Packing a reliable two-strobe location bag without dead weight
Course Reference Overview
Off-Camera Strobe Exposure Reference
Core practical benchmarks and standards covered as part of this course's curriculum.
| Lighting Objective | Shutter Speed | Aperture & ISO | Strobe Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Studio Isolation | 1/200s (Native Sync) | f/5.6–f/8 · ISO 100 | Manual 1/16–1/8 in Octabox |
| Warm Restaurant Ambient | 1/60s–1/100s | f/2.8 · ISO 400–800 | Manual 1/64 + 1/2 CTO Gel |
| Midday Sky Drama | 1/2000s–1/4000s (HSS) | f/2.0–f/2.8 · ISO 100 | HSS ON · 1/2–1/1 Close Key |
| Sharp Indoor Motion | 1/200s in dim room | f/8.0 · ISO 200 | IGBT Strobe @ 1/32–1/64 |
Start With Your Free Intro Session
Book Program #033: Off-Camera Flash & Portable Strobe Lighting
Choose a time for your Free Online Intro Session to map out your course path, or book an Online ($69/hr) or In-Person ($99/hr) session directly.
1. Choose Option & Preferred Time (ET)
Program FAQ
Common Questions
Can I take this course if I only own a single speedlight instead of a studio monolight?
Yes. A single speedlight taken off the hotshoe with a wireless trigger and umbrella teaches every core law of ambient-versus-flash control, and you can also test our studio strobes hands-on. In the Free Online Intro Session, we check your current flash and camera model.
How does the Free Online Intro Session work, and how many sessions will I need?
Every course begins with a Free Online Introductory Session where we review the core syllabus together, evaluate your current background and goals, and map out how many sessions you actually need and whether continuing Online ($69 CAD/hr) or In-Person ($99 CAD/hr) suits you best. Session count is never a rigid one-size-fits-all number; it adapts to your own level and pace.
Do I have to commit to a multi-session package upfront?
Never. There is zero upfront package commitment: once your free online intro session maps out your path, any coaching sessions you choose ($69 CAD/hr online or $99 CAD/hr in-person) are scheduled flexibly session-by-session at your own pace.
Are courses taught in English, Persian (Farsi), or bilingual?
Your choice: every session with Iman Adlkhah can be conducted 100% in English, 100% in Persian (Farsi), or naturally bilingual with industry terminology.
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