Flash or not to Flash? Oh do behave!

jkovasc · 06-03-2006, 14:34

OK guys,

Do I really need a flash unit? nearly all my shots are taken outside, landscapes and wildlife mostly so i wouldn't of thought i need a external flash unit, but everywhere i seem to be reading that they are the most useful accessory you can own?????? I am missing something? i hardly ever take any indoor shots apart from dabbling in marco and i try to use natural light.

sorry if its a dumb question

evilowl · 06-03-2006, 14:36

I don't own one, and haven't needed one in the last 18 months I've had my D70. Like you nearly all my pics are taken outside.

Warspite · 06-03-2006, 14:40

If you dont need to capture fast moving (albeit close objects/people, in limited light), if you dont do indoor, if you live somewhere that has a bright climate - fine you probably will not need a flash.

However its a very flexible tool that can make it possible to get a shot or not, landscapes obviously it wont be as relevant.

Do you mean Speedlite, or do you mean any flash, in most cases your camera mounted flash (if it has one) will be adequate.

jkovasc · 06-03-2006, 14:43

If i got one it would probably be the speedlit 430ex.

Matt · 06-03-2006, 17:38

You should consider using a flash when shooting wildlife.
It can be used to create catchlights, and to reduce shadows on a bright day.

example

It can also help to get your shutterspeed up on a dull day.

example

This shot was taken on a dull day at the TPF chester zoo gathering.

Bachs · 07-03-2006, 04:30

I've had a 580EX sat on the camera virtually unused.
I found I got pretty harsh shadows when using it and bouncing off walls and ceilings didn't always get the result.
I added a flash diffuser bag to mine (99p on ebay) and it's made a vast difference.
I haven't got the alternative shots anymore, but I took the shot below with natural light (loads of noise because of the higher ISO I had to use) and with the straight flash unit (harsh shadows) Popped on the diffuser bag and the difference was amazing.
The flash really brought out the colours too.

CT · 07-03-2006, 09:45

If you look at any wedding photographer working, you'll see they use flash all the time - even in bright sunlight, but it's usually fill-flash, just powerful enough to light the shadows and give the shots a bit of extra punch. A flash is an invaluable piece of kit as demonstrated by some of the shots above.

It doesn't have to be high on your list of priorities, depending on what other kit you need, but if your wildife shots extend to macro you'll find a lot of shots are virtually impossible without a good flash unit, so ultimately no photographer's kit is really complete without one.

Arkady · 12-03-2006, 11:21

Yes you need one.
Yes it's difficult to master the technique well enough for the effect to look natural and unobtrusive.

Buy one now and start practicing before you actually need to use it for real.

jkovasc · 12-03-2006, 17:17

Guy's,

Thanks for the advise, I will start looking for a 430ex right away.

PS
Just got back from a days shooting at the Andover Hawk Conservatory in hampshire, fantastic day all for £8.75 entrance fee. If you get chance i can heartely recommend it. Bit chilly though!

06-03-2006, 14:34	#1 (permalink)
jkovasc New here Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wickham, Hampshire Posts: 25	Flash or not to Flash? Oh do behave! OK guys, Do I really need a flash unit? nearly all my shots are taken outside, landscapes and wildlife mostly so i wouldn't of thought i need a external flash unit, but everywhere i seem to be reading that they are the most useful accessory you can own?????? I am missing something? i hardly ever take any indoor shots apart from dabbling in marco and i try to use natural light. sorry if its a dumb question

07-03-2006, 04:30	#6 (permalink)
Bachs Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Montrose NE Scotland Posts: 919	I've had a 580EX sat on the camera virtually unused. I found I got pretty harsh shadows when using it and bouncing off walls and ceilings didn't always get the result. I added a flash diffuser bag to mine (99p on ebay) and it's made a vast difference. I haven't got the alternative shots anymore, but I took the shot below with natural light (loads of noise because of the higher ISO I had to use) and with the straight flash unit (harsh shadows) Popped on the diffuser bag and the difference was amazing. The flash really brought out the colours too. __________________ Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT)---EFS 18-55 MKII kit lens---Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM---Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II ---Tamron AF 28-200mm Super Zoom f3.8-5.6 Aspherical (IF) Macro 1:4---BG-E3 Grip---Speedlite 580EX---Canon(ish) Angle Finder C---Photoshop CS2---Powershot A95

07-03-2006, 09:45	#7 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	If you look at any wedding photographer working, you'll see they use flash all the time - even in bright sunlight, but it's usually fill-flash, just powerful enough to light the shadows and give the shots a bit of extra punch. A flash is an invaluable piece of kit as demonstrated by some of the shots above. It doesn't have to be high on your list of priorities, depending on what other kit you need, but if your wildife shots extend to macro you'll find a lot of shots are virtually impossible without a good flash unit, so ultimately no photographer's kit is really complete without one. __________________ Canon 1DMk2N/ EF 50mm 1.4/ EF 17-40L/ EF180L Macro/ EF100-400L Canon 20D /17-85 EF-S 580EX Flashgun/ Gitzo Explorer

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06-03-2006, 14:36	#2 (permalink)
evilowl Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London village Posts: 376	I don't own one, and haven't needed one in the last 18 months I've had my D70. Like you nearly all my pics are taken outside.

06-03-2006, 14:40	#3 (permalink)
Warspite Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough (UK) Posts: 1,736	If you dont need to capture fast moving (albeit close objects/people, in limited light), if you dont do indoor, if you live somewhere that has a bright climate - fine you probably will not need a flash. However its a very flexible tool that can make it possible to get a shot or not, landscapes obviously it wont be as relevant. Do you mean Speedlite, or do you mean any flash, in most cases your camera mounted flash (if it has one) will be adequate.

06-03-2006, 14:43	#4 (permalink)
jkovasc New here Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wickham, Hampshire Posts: 25	If i got one it would probably be the speedlit 430ex.

06-03-2006, 17:38	#5 (permalink)
Matt Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,326	You should consider using a flash when shooting wildlife. It can be used to create catchlights, and to reduce shadows on a bright day. example It can also help to get your shutterspeed up on a dull day. example This shot was taken on a dull day at the TPF chester zoo gathering.

12-03-2006, 11:21	#8 (permalink)
Arkady Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hampshire Posts: 1,198	Yes you need one. Yes it's difficult to master the technique well enough for the effect to look natural and unobtrusive. Buy one now and start practicing before you actually need to use it for real.

12-03-2006, 17:17	#9 (permalink)
jkovasc New here Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wickham, Hampshire Posts: 25	Guy's, Thanks for the advise, I will start looking for a 430ex right away. PS Just got back from a days shooting at the Andover Hawk Conservatory in hampshire, fantastic day all for £8.75 entrance fee. If you get chance i can heartely recommend it. Bit chilly though!