Why? Capable of turning mundane images into showstoppers, the flash may also be the most misunderstood, underutilized, and blood-pressure-raising piece of photography equipment. This workshop, led by the always-engaging Doug Johnson, can turn your flash from a torture device into an invaluable piece of your creative tool kit. During daylight and after-dark shoots that utilize a series of backdrops—a rustic Western homestead, urban scenes in downtown Missoula, and a variety of indoor locations—you learn to love and master your flash.

What? Applied to everything from landscape to wildlife to portraiture, artificial lighting can be a boon to amateur and pro shooters alike. From adding fill to a landscape foreground to adding dimension to a model on location, a solid understanding of flash technique can make you a better photographer. During this week, you learn how the flash and camera work together in Manual and TTL modes to achieve perfect exposure and effectively balance ambient and artificial light. You also learn how to shape, angle, and add color to light by using diffusors, reflectors, scrims, and gels. Then you take it to another level by learning to fire your flash off-camera with Pocket Wizards, as well as how to use multiple strobes together to create more dynamic photographs indoors and out. Regardless of the camera you use, this course will take the mystery out of flash photography.

Who? You should be comfortable with the manual exposure operation of your camera.