Fill flash

[kymball]

I kinda feel stupid asking this question, but I gotta do it...I have heard the term "fill flash" many times. My question is this - is this just a term for using your flash to "fill in" a shadow for example? Or is it a particular setting on your camera? I have a digital rebel xt, and need more input on this fill flash.

Thanks for helping this helpless photographer!

Kim:o

[tim]

Yes, it just fills in shadows. If you put the camera in Av or Tv it will automatically operate in fill mode. You might want to play with turning your FEC down and see how you like that effect too.

[scottbergerphoto]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=37681&highlight=fill+flash

[mustangmark]

I have a 20D and rcently added the 580ex flash. I was hoping to be able to use a faster shutter speed with the new flash (compared to using no flash at all). I have found that (for the same iso setting) in the Tv mode, I get the same aperture/shutter speed combination with or without the flash. I am assuming, after reading this thread, that its because the flash is acting as a fill. Is there any way to leverage the additional light so that the shutter speed can be increased for indoor shots?

[robertwgross]

You can use the flash as the dominant light source of the scene. Or, you can switch the flash off and use ambient light for the scene. Where it gets interesting is when you want to use some of the ambient light and some of the flash. Getting just the right combination takes experience, or else luck, and the flash will just brighten up some of the shadows.

---Bob Gross---

[PacAce]

I have a 20D and rcently added the 580ex flash. I was hoping to be able to use a faster shutter speed with the new flash (compared to using no flash at all). I have found that (for the same iso setting) in the Tv mode, I get the same aperture/shutter speed combination with or without the flash. I am assuming, after reading this thread, that its because the flash is acting as a fill. Is there any way to leverage the additional light so that the shutter speed can be increased for indoor shots?
You can switch the flash to Highspeed Sync mode which will allow you to use a faster shutter speed than the camera's sync speed. However, the faster the shutter speed above the sync speed, the less effective the flash becomes which then limits the distance range of the flash.