Portrait photography in a setting with battery flashes

Battery flashes

A battery flash is a flash unit that is powered by a battery. This means that the device does not need to be connected to a mains power source during use.

In this context, battery flashes are classified as handheld flashes and so-called monolights, which have a flash head and flash power unit in the same unit.

Photography equipment when working with battery flashes

When working with battery flashes in a setting, in addition to the camera, you will need a light and a light modifier, a light stand, a sandbag to weigh the light down, and a transmitter to flash the light. If you are shooting with small handheld flashes or Godox Wistro ad 100 / ad 200 battery flashes, you will also need an adapter to attach the flash to a tripod. The adapter will be discussed later in this text.

Transmitter

The transmitter is a "block" that is installed on the camera's hot shoe, which in Godox lights is always compatible with the camera brand, i.e. a Nikon transmitter for a Nikon camera, etc. The transmitter's job is to adjust the flash power and send the flash firing command.

From the lamp base

The light stand supports the flash. When working in the environment, the light stand should be sturdy, but you should not rely on it alone. It is a good idea to add additional weight to the stand, and if possible, ask an assistant to support the light stand. The light stand and the light shaper are together units that easily catch wind and are very susceptible to falling over.

Light modifier

In environmental portrait photography, the best modifier is either a lightweight and collapsible umbrella, or collapsible octaboxes. In addition, light modifiers that work well in environmental photography are so-called scrims, which soften the effect of the prevailing light. When working with scrims, you invariably need helpers to hold them.

Adapter for handheld flash

When using a handheld flash off the camera, you need an adapter to attach it to the light stand, which is practically a frame to which the flash can be attached and the frame also has various mounting options for light modifiers. The adapter is called the Godox S2 Bracket adapter. This is suitable for, among others, Godox handheld flashes (V1 and V860), the ad200 flash and even the ad400 flash.