The metal mount on top of a camera that holds a flash or another accessory. Electrical contacts in the hot shoe connect the flash to the camera so that it fires at the right moment.
Extra contacts allow automatic flash control such as TTL. Hot shoes also hold microphones, wireless triggers and spirit levels.
Martin Kaninsky
Martin is the creator of About Photography Blog. With over 15 years of experience as a practicing photographer, Martin’s approach focuses on photography as an art form, emphasizing the stories behind the images rather than concentrating on gear.