Flash Photography...

Not just used to blind people

If the camera determines more light is needed, the flash goes off. You may even think: "Too bad all things in life aren't like this."

Unfortunately, flash photography isn't quite that simple, so lets examine some of the do's and don'ts. Take a look at this photograph. What is the very first thing you notice? Is it the couple, or is it a bright white blotch over their head?

The reflection is just one example of what you should be aware of when using a flash. Others include:

• Regardless of how bright or dim the room is, the light from flash photography will be sufficient to capture your family portraits (assuming you are within the effective range of the flash's output). You don't need to begin adjusting the lights up or down.

  Whether you are using your camera's built-in flash or an external flash that's connected to the hot shoe, check your owner's manual for the maximum flash coverage your unit will provide.

  There are few things more frustrating than taking that priceless photo of Great Grandmother Agnes dirty-dancing with the busboy, and have the picture turn out too dark because you took it from 20 feet away with a flash that had a maximum range of 12 feet!

• Of course, the #1 flash photography tip is getting your Great Grandmother to dirty-dance with the busboy in the first place!

• Avoid posing people in front of or next to ANY reflective object such as glass, windows, shiny metal, or highly polished surfaces of any kind. If this type of object is in the picture, the flash will reflect off its surface, producing white "hotspots" on the photograph (as demonstrated above).

  If you cannot avoid these objects being in the frame, position yourself with at least a 30 degree angle to avoid the reflection bouncing back to the camera.

• Avoid posing people within 5 feet of a wall because of the shadows that will result.

  (Shadows are the #1 thing to be aware of in flash photography!)

• Remember the suggestion about avoiding glass? The same goes for people who wear glasses. Ask the person if they would prefer to remove them (use tact though instead of ripping them off their face), or have them tilt their heads downward slightly so the reflection will not be picked up by the camera.

• If you have to take a picture of aunt Irene who is only 3 feet in front of a wall, there are several strategies to use:
  • This type of flash photography calls for the use of an off-shoe flash.

    Unfortunately, you will also need a wireless transmitting unit, and these set ups tend to be a bit expensive.

  • If your flash unit is on your camera, try using some type of reflective device to defuse the light.

    Lumiquest and Stofen are two companies that make diffusers for flash photography units.

  • If you want to go a slightly more professional route, Stroboframe manufactures a series of camera-mounted brackets, on which a flash unit can be mounted. Since the light source is higher than the subjects, the shadows still exist, but will be closer to the floor.

If you have to use a flash, position the camera to be exactly in front on the primary subject. The greater you are to the side, the more shadow will be visible.

Your last chance to avoid shadows is by increasing the ISO settings on your camera, placing the camera on a tripod, and not using a flash. Follow these steps, in order:

1. Increase the ISO setting on your camera to 200. Test the shot and if the shutter speed is faster than 1/30th of a second, take the picture.

2. If not, increase ISO to 400, as long as digital noise is acceptable. (To excel at flash photography, become familiar with ISO, digital noise, and tripods.)

3. Test the shot and if the shutter speed is faster than 1/30th of a second, take the picture.

4. If not, increase ISO to 800. The digital noise will only be acceptable at ISO 800 for top-level digital SLR cameras.

5. If an increase in ISO is not sufficient, use a tripod or a solid surface to place the camera on. Any exposure taking more than 1/60th of a second should only be attempted from a rock-solid surface.

6. The longer the exposure required, the greater is the need to use a remote shutter release. Even depressing the shutter button while the camera is on a tripod can cause slight vibrations which may cause blurriness in the final photograph.

7. Therefore, if a remote shutter release is not available, use the self-timer feature of the camera to remove any vibrational possibilities.

• Basic planning photography tips and tricks

• Tripod

• Flash Photography

• Background

• Photography Lighting

Leave Flash Photography and return to the Home Page