It was one of those days. A beautiful sunny afternoon, the kind where the light was almost too bright, and my subject—a lovely young woman dressed in soft pastel colors—was ready to shine. We were shooting at a local park, surrounded by trees and the soft hum of the city in the distance. The location was perfect. The mood was right. But the light? Not so much.
The Problem: Too Much Sun
As I set up my camera and started composing the first shot, it quickly became clear: the harsh midday sun was creating shadows under my subject’s eyes, and the background was overly bright. I knew this was going to be a problem. I’ve been in this situation before, where the natural light just doesn’t cooperate, and no amount of squinting at the sun will make it better. That’s when I remembered—today, I had something new in my bag. The Godox AD200Pro.
I’d been hearing great things about this flash, especially for outdoor shoots. Compact but powerful, it promised to help me balance out the sunlight and take control of the scene. I was ready to put it to the test.
The Moment the Godox AD200Pro Saved the Day
I pulled out the Godox AD200Pro from my bag. It was light and compact, exactly what I needed for a shoot like this. Setting it up with a Godox Softbox felt like the right call—something that would diffuse the light and create a soft, flattering glow on my subject's face. I didn’t want to overpower the natural beauty of the location; I just needed to fill in those shadows and ensure she stood out against the bright background.
With the softbox attached and the flash powered up, I aimed it toward her at a slight angle. I checked my camera settings, dialed in the exposure, and then fired the first shot.
The result was exactly what I had envisioned. The light from the AD200Pro blended seamlessly with the natural sunlight, brightening up the shadows on her face without making her look too lit. The background, once harsh and overexposed, now had a more balanced, natural feel. It was a moment of sheer relief. I could finally see the magic of this shoot unfolding, all thanks to the Godox AD200Pro.
High-Speed Sync: A Game-Changer for Shallow Depth of Field
As the shoot continued, I wanted to play around with different angles and settings. I love shooting wide open, using a shallow depth of field to blur out the background and really focus on my subject. But with the intense sunlight, this was tricky. The light was so bright that I knew I’d have to shoot with a faster shutter speed to avoid overexposure.
This is where the High-Speed Sync (HSS) feature of the AD200Pro really came into play. With HSS, I was able to shoot at a faster shutter speed, even in full sunlight, without the risk of overexposing the image. This allowed me to maintain that beautiful blurred background and crisp subject while keeping the exposure perfect.
I shot a few more frames, adjusting the flash power and angle as I moved around my subject. It was incredible how much control I had now. The light was soft, flattering, and never too harsh. The AD200Pro was making everything so much easier.
Adding Creative Touches with Gels and Grids
As the sun started to dip lower, I decided to experiment a bit more with the lighting. The golden hour light was casting a warm glow on the surroundings, but I wanted to match the flash with that natural warmth to create a seamless look.
That’s when I remembered the color gels that came with the Godox AD200Pro. I clipped a warm gel onto the flash, and instantly, the tone of the light matched the warm, soft light coming from the setting sun. It added a beautiful, golden warmth to my subject’s skin, making the image feel even more natural and radiant.
I also decided to try out the grid attachment. With a quick swap, I was able to focus the light more precisely, creating a more dramatic look on her face while keeping the background softer and less distracting. It gave the image a more editorial, high-fashion vibe that I absolutely loved.
Wrapping Up the Shoot: Perfect Results, Every Time
By the time the sun was setting, I had a collection of portraits that truly captured the essence of my subject—beautiful, natural, and flattering, with a perfect balance of light and shadow. The Godox AD200Pro had made all the difference. It had given me control over the harsh midday sun, provided consistent and professional-quality light, and allowed me to get creative with gels and grids.
I packed up my gear with a smile on my face, knowing that this shoot had been one of the smoothest, most enjoyable ones I’d had in a while. The Godox AD200Pro had not only made my job easier but had also allowed me to push my creative boundaries in ways I hadn’t expected.
Final Thoughts: The Godox AD200Pro—A Photographer’s Best Friend
If you’re an outdoor portrait photographer, I can’t recommend the Godox AD200Pro enough. It’s lightweight, powerful, and versatile, making it perfect for any shoot. Whether you’re dealing with harsh sunlight, shadowy spots, or just need a bit more creative control, this flash does it all. The results speak for themselves—beautiful, professional-quality portraits that stand out, no matter the lighting conditions.
For me, the AD200Pro is no longer just a piece of equipment. It’s a trusted partner that helps me capture the vision I have in my mind and turn it into reality. If you’re looking to take your outdoor portrait photography to the next level, this flash is an absolute game-changer.