Flash
When do we use a flash?
A flash can be used in very low light settings where the photographer really cannot get enough light onto the sensor as well as during a bright sunny day to bring out the shadows on a subject's face. Whilst flashes can look quite horrible, there are some things you can do to soften the flash intensity. As each camera will invariably be different you really just have to experiment with a variety of setups.
The first thing you might like to try is adding a tissue or other diffusing filter over the flash. This will scatter the light a little and even give it a slightly different colour. I have had mixed results with this technique in the past, however it is a quick fix for glaring flashes. If you can't change the flash intensity and your pictures are coming out too bright you can also place your finger over half the flash to reduce its intensity.
A much more effective way of getting a more natural photo is to aim the flash towards the roof or off at an angle on a high brightness level, instead of directly at the subject. This will have the effect of scattering light around the room which will then bounce of the subject more evenly and naturally. With a bit of experimentation some very natural flashes can be used which will balance out your shot whilst at the same time keeping your subject nice and sharp in low light conditions.
Now I mentioned using a flash on very bright days which you might find surprising, however it is common on bright days for a persons face to become very dark as direct sunlight in general produces a very high dynamic range. A flash will bring out a persons face where they would otherwise be hidden by a shadow. This is very useful to remember for those holiday photos, especially on sunny days when your subject is wearing a hat!
Using a slave flash
Lastly when setting up scenes you may want to use a slave flash. This is starting to get into the more professional side of photography, but none the less is worth mentioning. A slave flash detects the light pulse from your existing flash and triggers another flash somewhere else in the room which will scatter more evenly on your subject. Remember your ball photos? They may have a couple of these slave flashes set up on either side of the subject with umbrella like diffusers. These flash setups can be used to create deliberate shadows on a subject as well for some sort of artistic or dramatic effect.
Digital SLR Tutorial
Ever wanted to get a simple introduction to using a digital SLR? Follow these lessons for improved pictures.
- AUTO Function
- Using a Flash
- Exposure
- ISO Speed
- Aperture Function
- Shutter Mode
- Manual Mode
- Using a Tripod
- Examples to share
Photo Editing
Digital photos rarely turn out perfectly. Here are some photo editing tips to make your shots look like they are from a magazine!
- Crop and Rotate
- Removing Dust
- Levels and Shadows
- Brightness, Contrast
- Colour Balance
- Vignette Effect
- Saving Pictures
- Some Examples