Poll - Using flash

[Damien_Demolder]

I remember a time when Flash was the saviour of the universe, but still so many photographers are apprehensive when it comes to adding their own light to that provided by the heavens. Flash indoors is one thing, and an unavoidable evil in the eyes of many, but outside in the light of the day flash can be so useful it’s a real shame more enthusiasts either shy away from it or simply don’t think to use it.

As Richard shows in this week's magazine there is nothing complicated about mixing flash and ambient daylight, and modern camera systems can take all the work out of it for you if you want. You might need to concentrate for about ten minutes the first time, but once you get the hang of things your pictures will improve immeasurably. Not only will your subject loose the bags under their eyes and acquire evenly lit faces, but they will also stand out from the background. It’s just like magic!

Flash isn’t difficult to control, it just takes a bit of effort, and like learning what ‘aperture’ means it’s a significant step that will make a definite difference to your pictures.

Take part in our poll Are you confident using your flash in most situations?

And if you have any exciting examples of how you've used flash outside let us see them in the thread below (remember, images should not exceed 100k - image posting guidelines here).

Thanks for playing

damien

[Zou]

I've said 'no' as I rarely use flash. That's mainly because most of my cameras don't have a flash, but on those that do, I have it permanently off. I have used it on occasion for fill in, but I find that it's generally unecessary for my photography. I can easily replicate the effect in PP for those occasions where it may be useful.

Edit - I would be keen on learning to use studio lighting/flash at some point, as knowledge in that field can open up all sorts of possibilities.

[El_Sid]

Take part in our poll Are you confident using your flash in most situations?

That's definitely a no from me. I have used and I do use but TBH rarely with much hope of it doing what I want...

[parisian]

Using the modern flash systems is as Damien suggests easy. To be honest it wasn't difficult before all the automation. Metz 45 on the D2X and SB800 on the D70 tends to suit most of our shooting.
One does not, of course, use flash with the Leica or the XPan.

[sey]

The only time I use flash outdoors is when doing a children shoot for clients and then it is only a little indirect fill flash.

I trust in God's light to give a true ambiance to whatever I'm shooting.

I think it must be that my photography is very basic and simple. Besides flash does not lend itself to non-invasive/non-abrasive/non-abusive street photography.

I voted yes because when I do use flash, it doesn't frighten me at all, especially with today's think-for-you equipment and 'just-in-case- easy automatic bracketing.

[Benchista]

I don't use it an awful lot, but I'm totally confident in using it.

[beejaybee]

I don't use it an awful lot, but I'm totally confident in using it.

So long as it's a manual flash on a camera used in manual mode (or at the very worst aperture priority). I can't make head nor tail of automatic flash systems, and life is too short to be bothered trying to learn.

Not a high priority for me. I don't carry a flash gun and never miss doing so. I don't think one in 1000 of the photos I take could possibly benefit from fill-in flash anyway.

[Dave_Cox]

I usually have a flash in my bag. Comes in handy for fill in shadows and also for getting better DOF or faster speeds on macro shots. Usually used on the K20s program flash mode.

Sometimes get some unexpected effects too - this months comp entry would be nothing without the flash rendering the subject transparent.

[GeoffR]

I can think of few things easier that TTL balanced fill flash with a D2X and SB800, how anyone can consider that complicated is beyond me.

[daft_biker]

Are you confident using your flash in most situations?

I think so.....

(although don't think I did the best job that day....had just broken a toe about half an hour before that and was a wee bit sair )

I like using flash with macro...these are flash lit subjects with available light backgrounds:






I use manual for the ambient exposure and ETTL with FEC for the flash.

[Matt_Hunt]

I think I am and use it fairly often, not least because I like playing with the possible solutions.

I've just bought an SB900...we're only getting along in manual mode when using CLS at the moment... but still find it a decent tool to have at hand.

[Dave_Cox]

Good for freezing motion too.....

[john_g]

I voted that I'm comfortable using flash - but, then again, I've got the choice of either the camera's own flash or an irresistible, but manual only, six quid jobbie from Jessop's clear-out sale. What it would be like if I had an all-singing-all-dancing flashgun, I don't know.

Here are three photos, using the on-camera flash in conjunction with daylight, that I took with an idea of "Croydon at street level" to show all the rubbish and litter that people discard.

[snowqueen]

I voted 'no' because im not, ive not really explored flash (in camera cause thats all i have)

Its not something i think about when im out taking pics, but is something i will be experimenting with.

Nice photos john

[Barney]

I voted no. I'm fine with iTTl, but then the camera and Speedlight does all the work for you. I voted no because I've now got a number of Speedlights and some poverty wizards and haven't really had chance to get to know how to get the most out of this multi-flash system.

[john_g]

I voted no because I've now got a number of Speedlights and some poverty wizards...

I've never heard of poverty wizards, but it explains a lot

I don't suppose anybody's got an wealth elf going begging?

[Barney]

I voted no because I've now got a number of Speedlights and some poverty wizards...

I've never heard of poverty wizards, but it explains a lot

Poverty Wizards = the cheap Chinese radio triggers bought for c£10 each instead of the £200+ for Pocket Wizards. I'll be looking to get some proper ones once the new Pocket Wizards with iTTL for Nikon cameras come out, if I've convinced myself that I'll make the most of them that is.

[huwevans]

Confident, certainly - it never was very difficult, even when we had entirely manual guns, and these days with TTL control, or its digital equivalent, it's quite trivial. But I just hate the effect, so I use it outdoors only when I really can't avoid it. At least indoors you can usually bounce and soften the flash and make it look more like natural illumination - I'm happier with that, although I'd still much prefer a good north-facing window.

[Vlad_Soare]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking whether I use flash in most situations? Or whether I'm confident using flash in most of those (few) situations that call for it?
The answer to the first one is no. The answer to the second one is yes. I use flash very rarely and try to avoid it whenever possible. But I am confident using it, meaning that whenever I use flash I know exactly what I'm doing.
So, I don't know how to vote. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[TimF]

Can't vote cos there's no "flash is the work of Satan" option