fill flash

[jessika]

hey all im just wondering, when it is a really sunny bright day, how come fill flash should sometimes be used? i have seen this method on a few other posts, but dont really understand it, can someone please explain?

thanks :)

jess :rolleyes:

[Curtis N]

The flash helps expose the shadow areas, reducing the harsh contrast produced by direct sunlight.

[freebird]

Learning to use Fill flash outdoors is time well spent. Theres lots of threads on it. It can take your photography to a new level.

[Bartek]

You don't, however, need to use it. Learning to work with harsh sunlight can also take your photography to a new level ;)

[seaside]

To help visualize the effect imagine your subject wearing a hat or cap in the sunlight. Without a flash and standing in front of him/her then take their picture. The cap or hat can shade parts of the face below the hat rim. Those facial features will be shaded, maybe so much they can't be seen at all. Especially the eyes which are the most important feature for a portrait.

Now use a flash. That flash will now provide light to bring out those features that were shaded before. The same thing can happen even without a hat. The eybrows, nose and other facial features can act like the hat rim did and shade parts of the face.

The flash provides light and evens up the exposure in those areas where light already exists and the areas that are shaded making for a more natural looking and even lighted portraiture. The same benefits can be had with other types of subjects you may be shooting in sunlight.

There are other ways to fill in the shaded areas as well. Such as using something to bounce light to the face. This will have the same effect and benefits as fill flash.

[harroz]

this is very true!

You don't, however, need to use it. Learning to work with harsh sunlight can also take your photography to a new level ;)

[sunnygirl]

When you live in a harsh sunny climate like I do it's a skill that you can't live without!

[randplaty]

Just bump up the fill light in Lightroom! hehehe

[gheesom]

hehehe Daniel nice I'll remember that, throw away my flashes ;)

[_Jo_]

Just bump up the fill light in Lightroom! hehehe

I do that often :)

[SYS]

So then how do you all measure the amount of fill light you need, let's say, for a portrait under a very bright sun. Do you use a built-in flash, or do you use a hot shoe flash. Do you chimp and shoot and chimp, or do you use a highly reliable method of measuring the light output?

[freebird]

I just use ETTLII in AV or TV for fill outside, its quite easy actually. High speed syn on the 580 EX II tho to shoot outside . You cant be too far away tho.

If I can do it anyone can LOL

[cdifoto]

So then how do you all measure the amount of fill light you need, let's say, for a portrait under a very bright sun. Do you use a built-in flash, or do you use a hot shoe flash. Do you chimp and shoot and chimp, or do you use a highly reliable method of measuring the light output?
Experience tells you how much to use. And then you chimp to be sure.

[randplaty]

hehehe Daniel nice I'll remember that, throw away my flashes ;)


heheh save them for off camera flash :p

but seriously, outdoor ceremonies in harsh sun are pretty tough.

[bnlearle]

I think fill flash (when on top the camera) is terribly overrated and that a lot of people use it because they feel they are supposed to. Just wrote a blog (http://bobbyearle.blogspot.com/2009/01/email-down-before-and-after-wednesdays.html) that touched on this today. As Daniel says, PP can handle well for this (and look better often times, imo).

Here's an example in the HARSHEST light I've ever shot in. It was like 30 minutes past noon (just look at their shadows).

Original (SOOC)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/bnlearle/IMG_4144.jpg

PP'd
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/bnlearle/138-IMG_4144blog2.jpg



I personally prefer blown out skies in many situations (unless the sky is unusually gorgeous, dark, or moody). Seems to draw the eye in (unless you've been shooting for over 10+ years. Seems people that have been shooting that long can't see anything in photos other than blown out highligts :p)

Bobby

[cdifoto]

I hate blown skies. I don't mind blown highlights, but the sky isn't a highlight. :D

[gheesom]

I think it depends on the situation, both ways can work.
it also depends on the look you want.