Jan 16
Photo tips #5: Flash
Some photographers like using flash. Other photographers don’t. When you choose not to use a flash even when using one would be warranted, it’s called natural light photography - you only use the light that is naturally available. That’s what I do. I don’t know anything about flashes, but I don’t have anything against them either. In fact, sometimes I consider buying a Canon ringlite for closeup and macro photography. But, what does make me a flash hater, is when the use of flash is very obvious. This is normally when you use the built-in flash in your camera in low-light conditions (the area that gets lit is very small so the edges of the image are very dark). Using the built-in flash for fill-flash in good lighting conditions is less obvious. What I think is really funny is when someone uses the built-in flash when shooting landscapes (without the intention of including foreground). Honestly, it won’t help!The problem with the built-in flash is that the light is so direct. If you think about the natural light around you, the beauty is that the light really is all around you - the sun might be far away but it’s sure is bigger in the sky than the tiny flash in your camera. If you want to take the next step in your flash photography, you would buy an external flash that attaches to the camera hot shoe. Yes, the light is still the same direction as you camera points at, but it stands out high above your lens and you can attach a diffuser element to soften the light. Or you can swivel the flash head upwards and bounce the light from the ceiling. And you don’t even necessarily have to attach the flash directly to the camera. You can use a cord to have the flash further away and thus create depth in your photo by using the flash as a side light. Or, you can buy two or more flashes and get even more creative with your lighting!
So flashes are good, but as a rule of thumb, they are not good for landscape photography and they are not good when all you have is the built-in flash in your camera. But of course, if all you want is to take those family snapshots, then by all means flash away!
* * *
I would’ve posted some examples but since I don’t use flash, I don’t have any… So you’ll just have to take my word for it. The built-in flash units are at their best when they are not used. Seriously. Unless you really really really know what you’re doing.
Comments welcome in English / på svenska / suomeksi!
Leave a comment, or click here to return to the main page.
