Natural Light Shooter VS Flash Photography

[Ali-Azri]

Hello everyone, I just wondering why there's a few photographers who actually use Speedlite (580EX/430EX) on daily basis, even in outdoor. Doesn't the speedlites is properly use only in studio shots (portraits). In my theory, using flash just make the photo unnatural and it just make certain parts to be highlighted as a result of changes in the histogram. Since the rule of thumb of histogram is "the fuller the better", I care more of the shadows instead of highlighted areas. Let alone the natural light gives all the details I need.

Is it THAT perfect to shoot flash in low light conditions? How about the foreground? Will it be dark in indoors?

Sports and Wildlife photography doesn't use flashes at all. Even in outdoor shots, many experienced photograper tend to ignore the speedlite to be use but only a few does that and I was wondering why.

Where's my manners..
Hi, my name is Azri, I'm working with Canon for the past 3 years as a retail asistant. I know what speedlite are use for, I just wanted to see some of experienced user's example while shooting outdoors.

Im a natural light shooter and I've been using my Canon 350D since it first came out and wanted to try some new tricks with speedlites, please gives example images of the benefits using speedlites on your subjects.

Thanks.
Azri @ Canon Malaysia.

[cdifoto]

Flash can be used to not look like flash.

Most people leave the flash off for sports because it slows down shooting and can distract athletes.

Oh and this belongs in Small Flash and Studio Lighting:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35

[heycow]

Wow, I must be a bad, inexperienced photographer since I use my flash a lot (almost every single day). I'm not a pro, but it's sad for me to find out that my photos must be awful because I use a flash...too bad.

Seriously, the right tool for the right job. Birder/wildlife/sport photographers DO use flash, but probably a smaller percentage. Some mount them in the ceiling/rafters, some use beamers, etc. Does that make them bad photographers or inexperienced? I don't think so.

If you don't like flash, fantastic, don't use it. But to have your first post basically say flash users are inexperienced and their photos are unnatural, is just rude.

[NAisBEST]

Hello Azri, when used properly, a speedlight can be used outdoors in a way where you couldn't tell a flash unit was being utilized.

It's especially useful for using a strong backlight, while adding fill flash to illuminate the subject.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3189939301_cee5bbeda8_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincentcento/3189939301/)

[GenuineRolla]

Flash is also good for creating effects that you normally wouldn't be able to get on camera.

I do a lot of work in the music industry, mainly doing band promotional photo's and having flash really sets your pics apart from the ones just shooting with ambient light. To me, photography is all about light so, I like to have some additonal light and I prefer to have shadows in some places in order to create a certain feeling within the photo. I also to prefer to shoot outdoors as opposed to having a studio.

Here's a shot done a buddy of mine - Aaron Van Dike.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2945732795_bec4f48afe_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2945738657_bf5362e573_b.jpg

Here's the light set up for it:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2946593106_b15028b70d_b.jpg

Here's the same shot, MINUS the strobes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2960404118_0b44edcac6.jpg

See the difference. You can get more out of a photo using strobes, especcially on location, IMHO.

Same idea with this one:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/3165969238_373a9a41bd.jpg

This one was done another buddy, Keaton Andrew -

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3018002389_5f6ecbaf42_o.jpg

This shot was taken at 10am with full morning sun to the band's left shoulders. No clouds in the sky whatsoever.

Adding strobes/flashes just adds another dimension to a photo and allows for more possibilities than what ambient light can provide.

[viet]

...
Where's my manners..
Hi, my name is Azri, I'm working with Canon for the past 3 years as a retail asistant. I know what speedlite are use for, I just wanted to see some of experienced user's example while shooting outdoors.

...In my theory, using flash just make the photo unnatural ....

...Sports and Wildlife photography doesn't use flashes at all...



Welcome to the forum Azri,

You need to research more thoroughly.

Your first theory is dead wrong, flash is another tool, if used properly can enhance your image. If your shots look unnatural with flash, you are doing it incorrectly.

Your second assumption is also wrong. A lot of sports & wildlife shooters I know use flash with the better beamer.

That said, I don't have any handy shots to show, maybe when I can get my hands on my work flow computer.

[Benji]

Using a flash unit outdoors is required if you must shoot at a loction that doesn't have any good natural lighting like in those images above.

I usually try and select areas that have good natural lighting so I don't have to use flash (see image # 1 below.) But sometimes the lighting needs a little help from an off camera flash (image # 2.)

Benji

[woodmen]

I use flash almost everytime and everywhere! It's the best tool I have (next to my 135mm f/2 :P). Take a look at this website.

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/1-natural-looking-flash/

This guy really knows how to work with light! On his website, you will find a ton of really really helpful tricks!

[Mark_Cohran]

Use of flash as fill or for cross-lighting in outdoor portraiture or glamour is very common. Fill flash help soften shadow, reduce constrast and balance the light so you can get good exposure for both your subject and the background.

I'd say you have it just opposite. The most experienced and knowledgeable photographers are the ones that use flash and use it well.

[Curtis N]

Azri, welcome to POTN!

There are many reasons a photographer might want to add light to the scene. But first, let me address this statement:Sports and Wildlife photography doesn't use flashes at all.This is simply false. And as you spend more time browsing through the Sports and wildlife sections of this forum, you'll learn about how flash is used in both genres, and why.

In my mind, there are two kinds of photography. You can capture an image, recording whatever light exists, or you can create an image by using your own light, or simply adding light to the scene. There is room in this world for both kinds of photography.

Very often, flash is used because photographic equipment simply can't record the entire contrast range in a scene. Our eyes have a much greater dynamic range than any camera. Because of this, using flash to reduce the dymanic range in an image (by filling the shadows) can help us create an image that appears more "natural" than an image captured with ambient light only.

Take a look at the first image in this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=628343
It was taken without flash. The dog's white hair on his sunlit side is exposed about as bright as possible without clipping detail. The black hair on the shaded side of the dog has no visible detail at all. If we saw that dog with our own eyes, we could see the detail on both sides. But the camera can't record the entire range.

[bohdank]

I agree with what has been said, so far.

Indoors, my flash lives on my camera and I more often than not use use it for fill or for effect outdoors. If I don't have an external flash with me or it's not available, I won't hesitate using the pop up on the 40D. It's more usefull than it is given credit.

[Titus213]

I love natural light photography - but I always pack a flash. I just shot a couple of casual portraits that were heavily backlit by large windows and the flash enabled me to get the subject properly exposed without blowing out the windows. Just a nice added touch.

And I've been looking hard at the better beamer for some bird shots I want to try. Wildlife shooter use flash a lot.

Welcome to the forums.

[M Powered]

I shoot with a speedlite all the time, it makes a great supplimental flash. I also have a small soft box for it also, but I usually shoot it bareback because it creates a nice asthetic hard light.