Things You'll Need:
- Auxiliary Flash Unit with hot shoe mount
- SLR camera (film or digital)
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Step 1
Prepare the SLR flash unit. Put four AA batteries in the side chamber. Some smaller units will only require two AA batteries. Turn on the flash unit before attaching it to the SLR camera. Listen for a buzzing sound, and look for the test light to illuminate. This signals that the unit is working properly, and the batteries have a strong charge.
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Step 2
Attach the flash unit to the top of the SLR camera. A hot shoe mount can be found on the top center portion of the camera. A base on the flash unit will slide into the hot shoe mount. Turn the dial, or move the lever on the back of the flash unit, to secure the flash on top of the camera. Give the flash a small jiggle to make sure it is secure, and not able to slide out of the hot shoe mount.
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Step 3
Turn on the SLR camera, and adjust the exposure settings for the photography work you will be doing. Select a shutter speed equal to or less than the flash sync speed of your flash unit. Common SLR flash sync speeds range from 1/60 to 1/500, depending on brand and model of flash unit. Set the white balance on a digital SLR camera to the flash option or the auto white balance option, for accurate color.
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Step 4
Turn on the flash unit. The E-TTL, AUTO or A-TTL modes will automatically adjust the power output of the flash unit when attached to the SLR camera. Manually adjust the power levels if the flash unit offers manual hertz selection. Some flash units allow a portion of a full charge to be fired. The 1/16 power setting is a good option for fill flash during daytime outdoor portraits, to add sparkle to the subject's eyes.
