Trick flash modes

Rear-curtain sync and repeating modes are often available for special effects

Most flashguns feature a rear-curtain mode, which can be selected from the host camera’s flash settings. Whereas the usual first-curtain mode fires the flash as soon as the first shutter curtain has fully opened, the rear-curtain mode waits until the rear curtain is about to close. It’s particularly useful in long exposures when, for example, a vehicle with lights is moving across the scene. Light trails will appear to stretch out from behind the vehicle, instead of in front of it, which looks much more natural. Some flashguns also feature a ‘Repeat’ mode, also known as ‘stroboscopic’. This is typically programmable, so you can preset the number of flashes and the time interval between each one. It’s ideal for capturing multiple exposures of an object in motion, at different stages along its path.

With rear-curtain flash, the lights of a vehicle crossing the scene appear to stretch out behind – rather than in front of – its path.