The Nikon SB-900 is a top-of-the-line on-camera electronic flash unit designed to provide lighting flexibility to the advanced amateur or professional photographer. Used on a Nikon DX or FX digital camera, the flash becomes an integral part of the photographer's tool set. The SB-900 also gives you the versatility to use an expanded range of zoom lenses while still covering the subject area. For example, on the popular DX range of Nikons, the SB-900 will give you flash coverage from 12 mm all the way up to 200 mm.
Direct Flash
As a direct flash unit, the SB-900 provides rapid recharging and powerful flash abilities. Use its direct flash capabilities for large assemblies of people that are not too close to you. For instance, if you need to photograph everybody inside a hall during a class reunion, you can shoot with direct flash to make everyone well-lit in the photo. You also can use the SB-900 as a direct flash unit for interior photography, such as photographing rooms for a realty display or for architectural representation. Do not use direct flash with the SB-900 on one or two people, or on close-up subjects. While the flash unit is designed to compensate for exposure, shutter and aperture settings and autofocus range, direct flash tends to give a glaring, washed-out look to people.
Bounce Flash
The SB-900 has a great deal of range when it comes to bouncing your flash. For example, you can tilt it up to 90 degrees or down to seven degrees, as well as angles in between. You can use this flexibility to photograph a person or couple, such as at a wedding, with good effect. Bouncing the flash at different angles diffuses the light coming from the SB-900, making it softer and less glaring when it reaches the subjects. You are not limited to the up-and-down bounce flash angles with the SB-900 flash, however. Even affixed to your camera's hotshoe, you still can use it to bounce light off the walls. The flash head rotates fully to 360 degrees, which means you can set exactly the correct angle you need. Bounce the flash off the wall to your left or right to diffuse it and give the scene a different lighting effect.
Light Patterns
Use the Nikon SB-900's preset light patterns for general photographic situations. It has three of these presets: Standard, Center-Weighted and Even. For the most part, use the Standard setting. Nikon recommends this for "general illumination," meaning that in most circumstances, this will provide you the best lighting for your photos. If you want to take portraits, you should use the Center-Weighted setting, which provides more light to the center of the image frame where in most cases your subject will be located. Nikon recommends the Even setting for photos shot of interior areas and groups of people. This setting, as the name implies, spreads the light from the SB-900 evenly across the lens field of view.
Off-Camera
If you want to get creative, you can take the SB-900 flash unit off your Nikon camera and place it elsewhere. For example, if you attach it to a light stand at a 90-degree angle to your camera, you can create stunning half-silhouetted images. For a full silhouette, place the flash unit directly behind your subject, with your subject obscuring the direct flash from your camera lens. The SB-900 works wirelessly with Nikon cameras so you can use it like a pro would in the studio.
Tags: flash unit, direct flash, direct flash, your camera, your subject, direct flash unit
