Although flashes are just one type of photography light, they are also one of the most common. Nearly all cameras these days have a built in flash and most professional photographers use a flash regularly for their work. Just like cameras, flashes vary significantly in their construction, functionality and accessories. Here is how you can get the most out of using your flash.
Studio Flash
These are the flashes you commonly see on fashion shoots. They’re more powerful than traditional in-camera lights, held in place by light stands, and need an external power supply. Studio flashes are super useful photography lights. They can be easily moved around and have their output and duration adjusted so you have complete lighting control over your final image.
The first thing you should do is make sure that your flash is firing into your light umbrella or some other type of diffuser. A direct flash will usually overpower your subject so it’s better to use a couple of reflectors and umbrellas to bounce light off your subject. Studio flashes usually have a “modeling” light that will allow you to see the end result of your setup, so you should be able to plot this bouncing fairly well.
And, if you can, keep your subject away from the backdrop so you’ll avoid sharp shadows in your image. You have probably seen pictures where you see a “person shaped” shadow on the wall because the picture was taken with the flash directly center. Lastly, you should use more than one light source. The more photography lights that you have, the more flexible your light becomes.
The Camera Flash
Most camera flashes are built right in and function on a completely automated basis. While this is great for cost and convenience, an automatic flash is often a main contributor to terrible photographs. However, there are some situations in which the light you need simply isn’t present and studio photography lights are out of the question (think weddings).
Just like using a studio flash, you’ll want to bounce your flash if at all possible so that it’s less harsh. Though this may sound weird, think of the many things around you that can work as impromptu light reflectors – tablecloths, walls, ceilings, and menus will all work nicely. As a good rule of thumb, you should never rely on a flash as your only light source. The best time to use a flash is to use it to fill in the dark spots and augment the current light that you have- like using natural light. And don’t forget that your flash has an effective range so if your subject is too far away your photo will be underexposed.
Flash is a complex subject and requires years of practice to master. If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, you should consider adding some photography lights to your “photo toolbox.” With the right knowledge and lighting setup you really can make every photograph look like a masterpiece.