I wish I knew how to use flash more effectively. Unfortunately at present I only have the on camera flash but I'm sure I could use it more proficiently.
@agima Brendan, do you perhaps know of some good articles I could read to help me to learn more about using the on camera flash? Any help will be greatly appreciated
I finally figured out how effective fill flash can be and the difference it makes. I only learnt that through the camera settings challenge. The problem is knowing when to use it. I too only have an on camera flash and they can be really harsh sometimes so I rarely use it just because I don't know how to use it properly. Ok, I can sit down now I too have confessed!!!! ;-)
After 30+ years of photography, it is only now that I am really learning the various techniques and thus the benefits flash photography can provide under different circumstances. I have also been guilty of adopting the attitude of "natural light is best" which, in certain conditions, is absolutely right, of course, but as I have been using my camera more and more, I was coming across situations more and more when the available light just couldn't cut the mustard.
I have recently purchased an additional Nikon SB910 Speedlite flash and Powerpocket triggers and have begun experimenting with off-camera flash. It's a bit of a revelation!
@andrina Your story sounds like mine! :) I learned a lot through the camera settings challenge a couple of weeks ago too. I have been experimenting with flash since then, with mixed results.
tx Brendan! interesting the perspective that only natural light is best... i do love natural light, but my struggle with it is that i have so limited control over it... i've recently "graduated" to some studio lights which i am still getting the hang of, but really need to learn to use my flash more effectively... off to read your blog to see what i can learn!
quick question... can you remind me what the equipment for using off-camera flash is called? i'm pretty sure someone pointed me to a starter package you could get that was reasonably priced, but i forget what it was called... i think there was a stand for the flash, maybe the thingy to link it to the camera was included, and maybe an umbrella? do you know what i mean?
Thank you for addressing this subject. It is one that is not understood well. Many times I don't initiate this subject because they tell me in their first sentence and are proud that they may not understand lighiting and it gives the impression that they are not going to try to learn . Adding light to the image is one element of creativity. For some it may that they think that there is not time to practice making images with added light. Practice should be a daily habit and 365project is good for that.
Lovely example portrait Brendan. Also I strongly concur that flash doesn't have to be, and really shouldn't be, obviously "flash." Use as "fill" at low power in shade shots with subject up to 10-12 feet from the lens, portraits or otherwise, is something I do all the time.
@andrina ha ha ha.... This is like therapy.. "Hi my name is Brendan and I am a not flash user!"
I guess to answer your question about when to use it. I use some form of flash 99% of the time. Be it sunny, be it dark be it something in between. i just adjust the output of the flash to match what I am trying to achieve. Some times the flash can be mounted if I am at an event other times in portraits it is not.
@dgcarter I see available lighting anything that can give me light.. That can be the sun, moon, white wall, reflector, speedlite, studio lights. etc etc... In short it is anything i can get my hands on at the time to give me light of some sort.
I am going to have to post up some example where I turned off the lighting and took photos then turned them back on... The difference is amazing and you dont realise how much it makes the image. As mentioned I rarely take photos without some form of artificial lighting..
In my experience I find photog just don't understand how to use it so it is easier to say "I prefer natural light" and it is great to hear that you have gotten over that as a lot do not.
@mace508 Well if you ever need someone to look over your images and give you some guidance drop me a line.. Facebook is the best way if you want a faster and more personal approach.
You can find my facebook details by clicking on the image and reading the description.
@aponi Yes that can be very true. It really depends on what you want to get from the shot. If you have been following or do follow my work you will know that I use flash A LOT. Most are very obvious that I have used a flash as I prefer the darker and more dramatic images.
Just t touch on make up, I agree... If you can not see the pores of the skin then it is on too think. Now having said that if they are full length shots and I need to pump in a heap of light then I request the MUA (Make Up Artist) put it on heavier and brighter than normal as the lights suck the color out. I also don't care at that distance out the skin so much.
@gillg Practice and practice some more... I have been using lights for years now and everytime I go on location I learn something new. :) As mentioned if you want some guidance friend me on facebook or call me through your comments of your photos.
@northy what equipment did you get? There are a few kits you can get some are called Stobist starter kits.
@chapjohn My pleasure. :) I put it down to photog being scared or the unknown... Some get to a point where they can take a nice image and they stop there.. I personally feel they are cutting themselves short... the creative control you can get once you understand how to use artificial lighting is beyond belief.
I tell my students that once you start using artificial lighting, throw everything you know out the window and start again. :) It can become very complex very quickly and things take longer.. Gone are the days where I can show up on location with just my camera.. ha ha ha
@frankhymus Thanks. Yes at a min fill light should be used. This image I wasn't used it for fill as the quality of light at that time of the day would fantastic, it was just too fantastic to cause any shadows, so I had to introduce artificial lights to create them.
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@salza even on camera flash has it's place. It just knowing how and when to use it.
I have recently purchased an additional Nikon SB910 Speedlite flash and Powerpocket triggers and have begun experimenting with off-camera flash. It's a bit of a revelation!
I think of flash like make-up, if you can tell its there then you've messed it up. ;-)
Thanks you for your input and comments. :)
@andrina ha ha ha.... This is like therapy.. "Hi my name is Brendan and I am a not flash user!"
I guess to answer your question about when to use it. I use some form of flash 99% of the time. Be it sunny, be it dark be it something in between. i just adjust the output of the flash to match what I am trying to achieve. Some times the flash can be mounted if I am at an event other times in portraits it is not.
@dgcarter I see available lighting anything that can give me light.. That can be the sun, moon, white wall, reflector, speedlite, studio lights. etc etc... In short it is anything i can get my hands on at the time to give me light of some sort.
I am going to have to post up some example where I turned off the lighting and took photos then turned them back on... The difference is amazing and you dont realise how much it makes the image. As mentioned I rarely take photos without some form of artificial lighting..
In my experience I find photog just don't understand how to use it so it is easier to say "I prefer natural light" and it is great to hear that you have gotten over that as a lot do not.
@mace508 Well if you ever need someone to look over your images and give you some guidance drop me a line.. Facebook is the best way if you want a faster and more personal approach.
You can find my facebook details by clicking on the image and reading the description.
@aponi Yes that can be very true. It really depends on what you want to get from the shot. If you have been following or do follow my work you will know that I use flash A LOT. Most are very obvious that I have used a flash as I prefer the darker and more dramatic images.
Just t touch on make up, I agree... If you can not see the pores of the skin then it is on too think. Now having said that if they are full length shots and I need to pump in a heap of light then I request the MUA (Make Up Artist) put it on heavier and brighter than normal as the lights suck the color out. I also don't care at that distance out the skin so much.
@gillg Practice and practice some more... I have been using lights for years now and everytime I go on location I learn something new. :) As mentioned if you want some guidance friend me on facebook or call me through your comments of your photos.
@northy what equipment did you get? There are a few kits you can get some are called Stobist starter kits.
Something like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425220-REG/Impact_DFUMK_Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html
@chapjohn My pleasure. :) I put it down to photog being scared or the unknown... Some get to a point where they can take a nice image and they stop there.. I personally feel they are cutting themselves short... the creative control you can get once you understand how to use artificial lighting is beyond belief.
I tell my students that once you start using artificial lighting, throw everything you know out the window and start again. :) It can become very complex very quickly and things take longer.. Gone are the days where I can show up on location with just my camera.. ha ha ha
@frankhymus Thanks. Yes at a min fill light should be used. This image I wasn't used it for fill as the quality of light at that time of the day would fantastic, it was just too fantastic to cause any shadows, so I had to introduce artificial lights to create them.
the only time I really use an umbrella is when I want to ligtht up a large area or large group.
This shot was a combination of softbox for the subject and umbrella for the car.