Digital Flash Photography
Let There be Light
The secret to great digital flash photography is knowing when and how to override the camera’s automatic flash. How to set the flash is one of the first techniques everyone should learn about their cameras. It can really make or break your photographs.
Understanding Your Cameras Flash Controls
The button on your camera to control your flash is usually marked with a little lightning bolt, like those shown below. Each time you push the button, the flash will change modes. Keep pushing until you reach the one you want to use.
The lightning bolt with the A in the corner is for ‘Automatic’ flash. The flash will fire only when the camera thinks it needs to.Setting the camera to the same symbol without the ‘A’ is to force the flash to fire every time, even if it thinks it is not needed. This is sometimes referred to as ‘fill flash’. And the symbol with the circle around it turns the flash off. Some cameras also have a setting for ‘Red Eye Reduction’ which is good to use if you taking photos of people in a darker area. Watch for an upcoming article all about red eye. If you are pushing the button and the flash does not appear to be changing modes, it may be because the camera is set to full automatic mode. Canon digital cameras have a ‘green square’ or fully automatic setting, and a “P” or program mode. “P” is the same as the green square except you can override some of the camera settings, like your flash. Other manufacturers have a similar setting.
When To Use The Flash
Now that you can set the different flash modes on your camera, we need to learn when to use them. Remember the flash in your camera is not very powerful. It is designed only to reach to a maximum of about 15 ft (4.5m).
Turn the flash to ON when;
- The background is brighter than the foreground.
- There are harsh shadows you would like to brighten up.
- There is not enough light in the area you are photographing.
- You would like to ‘freeze’ the action, like a hummingbird’s wings, or at a sporting event.
Turn the flash OFF when;
- Photographing something MORE than 15 ft away.
- Taking a picture in a mirror or through a window.
- Flash photography is not allowed, like in a museum or art gallery.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Digital flash photography is really quite simple now that you know how to set the flash correctly and when to use it. All you need now is some practice.Happy Shooting!
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