Using Flash - For Photography and Photographers
Many cameras, including SLRs, have built-in flash units nowadays, so that the photographer may no longer have to make the decision to pack the flashgun. But for after-dark photography, these miniature tubes are rarely powerful enough or correctly situated for great results. The flash provides a harsh lighting with strong shadows and being so close to the lens creates the additional problem of "red-eye".A supplementary flash-gun, on the other hand can be positioned so that the subject is lit from an angle - by mounting the unit on a bracket to the side of the camera, or by angling the head upwards so the light bounces off the ceiling or purpose-built reflector. Separate flashguns can also be fitted with devices that soften the light, for more natural- looking results.
Where built-in flashguns really prove themselves useful is during daylight. The exposure for fill-in flash is usually handled automatically - avoiding the complex calculations that were once necessary with bolt-on units.
Fill-in flash is useful in many lighting situations - but only when the subject is within a few feet from the camera, otherwise the light output is not powerful enough. In bright weather, the flash can reduce contrast, helping to avoid unsightly shadows in close-ups of people"s faces. In dull weather, the flash has an almost opposite effect - increasing the contrast so that the subject in the foreground stands out from a grey background, and putting the colour back into their clothes.
As black as night
Flash used at night tends to produce unnaturally dark backgrounds, as flash power falls off quickly over distance. With some subjects this effect is acceptable - and it can be used to hide distracting backdrops. However, for a more natural-looking effect, it is sometimes necessary to combine the flash exposure with a slow shutter speed.
Avoiding black eyes
Bright sunlight is not ideal for portrait pictures as it creates unpleasant areas of shadow in the eye sockets and under the nose of the subject. A simple way of eliminating these is to use the camera"s flash to fill in the dark areas.
Bouncing the flash
A flashgun with a tilt-able head allows you to improve the quality of flash lighting in dull conditions. The tube is angled upwards so that the light bounces off a neutrally coloured ceiling or off a small white reflector that fits to the flashgun itself. The bounced light is softer and less directional, so does not cause the bright hotspots and marked shadows associated with straight, on-camera flash.