Lighting is key to creating beautiful images. As photographers, having the ability to control and manipulate light is often the next step in levelling up your photography. That’s where Sony’s range of flashes, in particular the brand new HVL-F60RM2, come in.

Sony’s Alpha Lighting System has continuously evolved together with the camera bodies and lenses. Not only have they become more durable with better built quality and dust and moisture resistance features, they have also become more intelligent. With models like the Alpha 7 IV, communication between the camera and flash is now even more tightly integrated, resulting in better image quality, faster speeds, and enhanced operability.

The HVL-F60RM2 epitomizes this evolution best, building on the impressive features from its predecessor and taking it up a notch. The high-output GN60 flash unit is not just powerful with its high continuous shooting speeds and shutter speed sync; its intuitive controls, unique quick shift bounce feature, and wireless radio communications also add to its reliability and versatility for all genres of photography.

Watch the video below to see how I use the HVL-F60RM2 push the limits of my creativity!

Shot with:

• Alpha 7 IV | FE 24-70mm F2.8GM
• 35mm | 1/200 sec | F/4 | ISO 200

Set up:

• 1 x HVL-F60RM2, mounted on a light-stand
• 1 x reflector
• 1 x FA-WRC1M wireless to Alpha 7 IV with FE 24-70 F2.8GM

The HVL-F60RM2 is a highly versatile flash and I wanted to maximise the use of a single flash to produce a dual light source effect. With its quick shift bounce feature, I was able to place the flash above the subject’s head and rotate it in the same direction of the natural light coming through the window, creating a back-lit rim light effect.

A reflector is placed towards my right to bounce the light back onto the model, ensuring that his face is well-lit too.

Shot with:

• Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 35mm | 1/200 sec | F/4 | ISO 200

Set up:

• 2 x HVL-F60RM2 mounted on a light stands
• 1 x FA-WRC1M attached to Alpha 7 IV with FE 24-70 F2.8GM

The fast recycle and dependable high-speed continuous flash features of the HVL-F60RM2 give me the assurance in capturing this image. My two assistants, each holding on to a HVL-F60RM2 mounted on a light stand, were placed at the front and back of the bride. As she was walking down the corridor, they followed her movement forward to ensure the consistency of the lighting as I burst shot away.

With the flash control linked to the Alpha 7 IV’s face detection capabilities, every shot captured was in perfect focus and evenly exposed.

Shot with:

• Alpha 7 IV | FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 78mm | 1/200 sec | F/2.8 | ISO 400

Set up:

• 2 x HVL-F60RM2 Flashes
  • 1 x HVL-F60RM2 with red colour gel, mounted on C-stand
  • 1 x HVL-F60RM2 with ring flash diffuser, mounted on light stand
• 1 x FA-WRC1M attached to Alpha 7 IV with FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Using colour gels can help define the mode and tone of the image.

For this studio portrait, one HVL-F60RM2 with a red-colour gel attached was mounted on a C-stand’s arm behind the model to create a coloured backlit effect. To ensure that model was evenly lit from the front as to accentuate her features, another HVL-F60RM2 was placed in a ring flash diffuser in front of the camera.

Shot with:

• Alpha 7 IV | FE 24-70mm F2.8GM 
• 35mm | 1/200 sec | F/5 | ISO 2000

Set up:

• 3 x HVL-F60RM2 Flashes (mounted on light stands)
• 2 x HVL-F46RM 2 Flashes (mounted on light stands)
• 1 x FA-WRC1M attached to Alpha 7 IV with FE 24-70 F2.8GM

To push the limits of creativity and create a final epic shot, a total of five flashes were used. To accentuate the smoke effect, two HVL-F60RM2 were placed at medium height on either side of the backdrop as the main light sources. This allowed me to separate the dancer from the dark backdrop. Another HVL-F60RM2, placed above the backdrop, helps create rim lighting on the dancer, allowing me to further her separation from the background.

Another flash unit, the HVL-F46RM, was placed right above the camera to create a frontal fill. To complete the set-up, another HVL-F46RM was placed behind the backdrop to simply light up the street at the back.

Using Sony’s range of flashes like the HVL-F60RM2 and the HVL F46RM, you have the ability to achieve more with your photography. Find out more about Sony’s Alpha Lighting system here!