Use A Flash Like a Pro: 3 Tips for Better Flash Photography

Flash photography often gets a bad rap, conjuring images of blinding lights at family gatherings or the harsh glare of a smartphone’s LED in a dimly lit pub. Yet, for us professionals, it’s an entirely different ball game—a game of three parts, to be precise. Let’s dive into the misunderstood world of flash and shed some light (pun intended) on its real value.

The Amateur’s Necessity and the Professional’s Art

1. On-Camera Flash: The Basics of Direct Flash

What it is: The pop-up contraption or the little light that comes to life when things get dim. Or a Speedlite on top of the camera.
Why it’s used: It’s all about battling the shadows, illuminating faces at weddings, or giving that paparazzi vibe during nighttime adventures. It’s for taking photos when there’s not enough light around. Darkness becomes bright for a split second. For most, that’s all there is to flash photography, and frankly, it’s enough for absolute beginners – as there’s lots you can do with a Speedlite on the camera…

2. Off-Camera: The Professional’s Flash Photography Playground

What it is: Flash units strategically placed on stands, crafting a pool of light around the subject.
Why it’s used: Here’s where creativity kicks in. With a key light, maybe a fill light, and a backlight, we paint with shadows and highlights, sculpting portraits, products, and pretty much anything else that finds its way in front of our lens. Basically every movie, TV show, pop video and podcast has lighting – not always because it’s dark in the studio, but to create a LOOK. Key Light – usually lights their faces from one side, Fill Light is lower power on the other side of the face (filling the shadows), back lights add that little ping of light on the shoulders and hair…

2 off camera flashes were used on this personal brand shot of Gary King

3. Consistency in Colour: The Ambient Light Technical Headache

What it is: The battle against varying light sources, from sunlit windows to the artificial glow of computer screens, all conspiring to throw your white balance into chaos.
Why it’s used: Imagine photographing in an office. One person looks like they’ve just returned from the Bahamas, while their neighbour appears to have spent the day in a fridge. This variance in lighting conditions can make post-processing a nightmare. If you can get one light colour, then everything becomes easier.

Colour Consistency Example – where natural-looking fill flash would have saved the day!

So, I had this photoshoot recently where I decided not to use the flash (so as not to ruin the video content being created in the same room), and let me tell you, it was a bit of a headache afterwards.

Ambient only – flash at an all-day event isn’t possible – here we reduced saturation and used a cool white balance in the edit

Each room had its own weird mix of lights, leaving me with a mix of colours to sort out later. The meeting room was very orange light with the blue coming in fro the windows. The main room, a more fluorescent magenta light…

If I’d just used the flash, I could’ve avoided this whole hassle, giving everything a consistent look and making my life way easier. Plus the ISO would have been 100-400 instead of 1600-12800. But sometimes it’s not an option!

Why sticking to the same look matters:

If you use the same flash everywhere, you get this steady light that makes tweaking colours later a breeze.
You can slap the same fix on all your photos, saving you from a load of editing drama.

However, working with folks shooting video means you can’t always flash away. It messes with their footage. So sometimes, you’ve got to compromise and deal with the “interesting” lighting.

The ideal scenario is to “take turns” – let the video team get some footage, then pass the baton over and you get some flash – doing this means no damaged video and consistent flash images. It’s not always possible – in meetings, say, flash can massively distract people – but where possible use it!

Lessons From This Flash Photography Tutorial

A bit of advice on using flash: It might seem old-school, but using your flash correctly can seriously lift your photography game. But it’s tricky, especially when you’ve got to balance photos with video. Plan ahead, think about whether using a flash will make your editing easier or harder. Sometimes you’ve got to find a middle ground, and get a bit inventive to keep both photos and video looking sharp.

So, remember, knowing your gear and getting creative with it is key. Keep at it, and enjoy your photography!

Frequently Asked Questions About Flash Photography

What is Flash Photography?

Flash photography involves using a flash unit to illuminate your subject. It’s a key technique for photographers looking to improve their images in low light conditions or to achieve a specific artistic effect.

Why Should Beginners Use a Flash in Photography?

Beginners should consider using a flash to:

Overcome insufficient ambient light – dark rooms, outside at night, when they are photographing the someone in a shadow area etc.
Reduce harsh shadows
Add depth and dimension to their photos

What are the Top Flash Photography Tips for Beginners?

Learn to Bounce Your Flash: Avoid direct flash by bouncing light off ceilings or walls for more natural-looking illumination. Speedlites only
Adjust Flash Output: Experiment with the flash power settings to find the right balance for each scene. FEB or Manual Flash
Master TTL and Manual Flash Modes: TTL (Through The Lens) flash mode automatically adjusts the flash’s power, while manual mode gives you full control.

How Can I Use a Flash Without Making My Photos Look Overexposed?

Use Flash Exposure Compensation: This allows you to dial down the intensity of the flash.
Experiment with Diffusers or Flash Modifiers: Soften the light to avoid harsh shadows and highlights.

What’s the Difference Between On-Camera and Off-Camera Flash?

On-Camera Flash: Attached to the camera, convenient but can result in flat lighting.
Off-Camera Flash: Positioned away from the camera, offering more flexibility and control over the lighting direction and quality.

Can You Explain Flash Sync Speed and Why It Matters?

Flash sync speed is the fastest shutter speed you can use while still allowing the entire frame to be exposed by the flash. It’s crucial because if you exceed this speed, you’ll get a partially black image due to the shutter curtains blocking the sensor when the flash fires.

What Are Some Essential Flash Photography Techniques Every Beginner Should Know?

Fill Flash: Use flash during the day to fill in shadows, especially under harsh sunlight.
High-Speed Sync: Allows you to use flash at shutter speeds faster than the camera’s sync speed, great for outdoor portraits.
Rear Curtain Sync: Fires the flash at the end of the exposure, creating a sense of motion leading into the subject.

How Do I Choose My First Flash?

Consider these factors when choosing your first flash:

Compatibility with Your Camera
TTL vs. Manual Flash Units
Recycle Time and Battery Life
Adjustability and Power Output

What Are the Benefits of Using a TTL Flash?

TTL (Through The Lens) flash automatically adjusts the flash power based on the scene’s lighting conditions, making it easier for beginners to achieve balanced exposures without manual adjustments.