Flash or not to Flash? Oh do behave!

jkovasc

jkovasc

Suspended / Banned
Messages
15
Edit My Images
No
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
Medp_C7E8342.jpg


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

example
Medp-CRW_0487.jpg
 
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.

IMG_9131.jpg
 
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. :)
 
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.
 
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!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top