I have a Nikon D80 I seem to remember having read somewhere that it should be possible to take photos in it using something called a second curtain technique. My question is does anybody know if this is so and how to go about it with the D80 (instructions for other camera models would be cool too)?
Also what kind of photos would this technique be best for?
Nikon refers to this as rear curtain sync. You can turn it on by holding down the flash button and turning the command dial to move between the different flash modes available.
Rear curtain sync is available in Program-Auto, Aperture priority, and Manual modes.
Check out the D80 manual for more info: http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D80_en.pdf (PDF)
Second curtain sync is a flash-related term. In usual first curtain mode the flash is fired just after shutter opens, while in second curtain case the flash is fired just before shutter closes. This makes a difference with slow shutter speeds making the motion blur appear after moving objects instead of before them. Here's an example of second-curtain sync usage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30093796@N07/4588904009/
I've always heard it called "rear curtain" too.
Here's the blurb from DPS: http://digital-photography-school.com/slow-sync-flash
A key difference from front (first) curtain is that movement blur will seem to end at the solid image instead of begin, so people and objects will appear to be moving in the direction they actually were rather than the opposite.
Addressing your second question:
I often photograph performers using fire - fire jugglers, fire-staff spinners, fire-poi, and the like.
Flash is useful in these situations to light the face and hands, so the photos aren't just streaks of orange lines.
Second-curtain flash is useful to make the streak of flames appear to recede into the "past", which is more natural than having the flames seem to anticipate where the performer is going.
There are essentially two kinds of "slow synchro" flash: front curtain and rear curtain. Most point-and-shoot cameras only support front curtain. The flash fires immediately when you press the shutter button, and the shutter stays open a little while longer to capture more ambient light. Most "serious" cameras also offer rear curtain flash. When you press the shutter button, the shutter opens to capture ambient light. The flash fires at the end of the exposure.
The key difference between the two is that if your subject moves during the exposure, rear curtain flash makes the movement look like tail, an impression of where the subject has been. This generally looks best. Front curtain flash gives the opposite look, which tends to look weird.
