Use your flash outside for better pictures

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:19 am

Did you know that you can use your flash outside also. Using your flash outside will help eliminate the facial shadows which show up on pictures taken outside on sunny days. If the subject is about 4 feet away use the fill flash mode of your camera. From distances over 4 feet you can use the full power of your flash for the photograph.

Joined: 26 Aug 2003 Posts: 50

Good tip. I shoot weddings and use my flash all the time.

Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 6 Location: Vadodara

The fill flash with the ambient light would help to get good details in the shadow area.

Nowaday many manufacturers has come out with TTL kind of setting which will take care such filling kind of effect over the shadowy area. But those who do not have this setting over the flash they can also get the same effect using their old fash units. Just try to put your flash setting dial at a maximum aperture mode [F4 or F2.8] and use it for the filling flash.

For example if you are having Vivitar 283 or 285, use its maximum setting of Yellow colour for fill flash which will trigger very little light and thereby filling any shadows.

Regards,

Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 3 Location: Newport Beach, CA

Using reflectors are also a great way to re-direct light outdoors or indoors. Reflectors may be held by an assistant or by a c-stand.

Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 33

Good Tip! I always use my flash outside to eliminate shadows on peoples faces

Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 2751 Location: Luxembourg

the most forgotten tip from flash users, good to remind us!

flash can also be used to eliminate color casts (most probably indoor hehe) and it can be used to freeze action in a dark space with a slow shutter speed. These are also often forgotten tips...

Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 458 Location: Seattle, wa

It can also be used to see lots of pritty dots!

Just aim your flash at your face and fire. =P

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 7:16 pm

Top tip, There is a reason when you see photojournalists on the news for them always having a flash on their cameras, and that is it!!!