Photography - The Ultimate Guide to Using Off-Camera Flash

Taught by Bernie Raffe AMPA on Udemy

  • Category: Photography/Portrait
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Rating: No reviews yet
  • Price: $109.99
  • Duration: 3 h 31 min (38 lectures)
  • Language: English

View the course on Udemy

About this course

A Udemy course by UK portrait photographer Bernie Raffe AMPA on using small off-camera flashes (speedlights) to create beautiful light and dramatic portraits. It follows 19 photo sessions, indoors in a small room and outdoors, and covers both fundamentals and advanced techniques. It is designed for beginners who already know their camera through to enthusiasts and professionals, not for people who have only just bought a camera. You need a camera with a hot shoe and Manual mode, and at least one external flash with adjustable power. The course has 6 sections and 38 lectures (3 hours 31 minutes), was last updated in December 2020 and is taught in English.

The equipment section explains which cameras and flashes you need, light stands and umbrella brackets, the ways of triggering flashes, light modifiers (umbrellas, softboxes, grids, snoots, gobos) and whether you need a flash meter, with two 2020 update videos on newer flashes and triggers.

The exposure section explains why the course uses Manual mode throughout (no TTL or priority modes) and gives one lecture to each of the five aspects of flash exposure: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, flash power and flash-to-subject distance, plus maximum sync speed and High Speed Sync.

Twelve indoor sessions build from a simple one-light setup to controlling light spill, lighting and gelling the background, fill light, clamshell and tri-flector beauty lighting, hard light, portrait lighting patterns, graphic backgrounds from household objects, honeycomb grids and a pure white background. Ten outdoor sessions cover balancing ambient light and flash, the sky as a background at dusk, High Speed Sync versus ND filters for wide apertures, and grungy backgrounds. A bonus lecture shows a DIY product photography setup. Downloads are enabled, and a student's shot notes from every session are attached.

Pricing: Paid Udemy course: list price US$109.99 at research time (Udemy discounts it often). Lifetime access and a certificate of completion are included.

Who this course is for

Photographers who know their camera and want to start using off-camera flash.

Enthusiasts and professionals who want to light portraits on a small budget and in small spaces.

Portrait photographers who want more dramatic, controlled light.

Who it is not for

Beginners who have only just bought a camera (the course says so).

Anyone without a hot-shoe camera with Manual mode and an external flash.

What you will learn

  • Choosing and assembling flashes, stands, triggers and modifiers.
  • The five aspects of flash exposure in Manual mode.
  • Controlling, lighting and gelling backgrounds.
  • Portrait lighting patterns and beauty lighting setups.
  • Balancing ambient and flash light outdoors.
  • High Speed Sync versus ND filters for wide apertures.

Strengths

  • 19 real photo sessions, indoors and outdoors.
  • Thorough, systematic treatment of flash exposure.
  • Low-budget gear and small-room setups.
  • 2020 update videos and downloadable shot notes.

Limitations

  • Requires an external flash and a hot-shoe camera.
  • Manual mode only; no TTL workflow.
  • Not for complete beginners.

Comparison with other courses

Photography - Become a Better Photographer - Part II (Bernie Raffe AMPA, Udemy): covers camera settings, sync speed and fill flash; a good grounding before this course.

Portrait Photography: Creative Tips & Ideas for Great Images (Bernie Raffe AMPA, Udemy): portrait ideas mixing natural light and flash, with less technical depth.

Course FAQ

What equipment do I need?

A camera with a hot shoe and Manual mode, and at least one external flash with adjustable power.

How long is it?

3 h 31 min across 38 lectures in 6 sections.

Is it free?

No, it is a paid Udemy course (US$109.99 list price at research time).

Updated on October 29, 2026 by CoursesAdvisors Editorial Team - How we review courses

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