This is the optimum way to fire multiple flashes off-camera

Portrait
Multiple lights were used for this portrait: one for the main light on the model, another for the hair light through the smoke. (Image credit: Brian Worley)

Speed lights are used to illuminate subjects in the dark, but this is only the most basic way to work. Once the flash is taken off-camera, the position of the light becomes important – and the notion that other lights are used to accentuate other parts of the scene is helpful, too. 

With multiple flashes, you need to decide how to control the lights. A sender unit on the camera gives freedom to control several flashes separately using groups. Whichever method you choose, it is always good to build lighting setups one light at a time. 

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PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine is the world’s only 100% Canon-focused title on the newsstand. Launched in 2007, for 14 years it has delivered news, reviews, buying guides, features, inspirational projects and tutorials on cameras, lenses, tripods, gimbals, filters, lighting and all manner of photography equipment. 

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