Do I need the Flash??

Shooting Photos at sunset has always been a blessing and curse. While I can get very pretty background lighting depending on weather conditions the subject is usually covered in shadow. If not then the background is usually very washed out.

My question is should I put a small fill flash to help brighten up the subject? Or will I lose the background colors in the process?

I am still learning PSP 3 so any advice on how to achieve both would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. Yes I know about the blemishes on the camera I have tried cleaning it, but can't afford to be without the camera to send it back for cleaning and service.

sorry switched pic to something I would see more often

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Using a TTL flash as fill flash is a great way of illuminating your subject without altering your background exposure. I like to use a speedlite on ETTL with the camera on manual mode. Exposure properly for the background and sky first, and then let the flash do it's thing for the foreground. Chimp and then if the background is too light or dark, adjust your shutter speed appropriately. If the person falling to their death is too light or dark, adjust flash compensation (FEV) appropriately!

Here is a pretty good fill flash in bright sunlight tutorial video.

http://www.adorama.com …light-Portraits-AdoramaTV

In short, yes. A flash to fill in your subject would help quite a bit.

That video was the perfect answer for me. Using the Canon with a flash I can just underexpose the back ground and keep the flash on the subject to hopefully get what I want.

Thanks

The only problem I ran into using a flash for freefall photography is with the slower shutter speed to meet flash sync made the image softer. That being said I know several people, one at my dz in particular who shoot a flash.

Plus flashes are heavy and I have a snappy canopy
Blue Skies Brother.

high speed sync?

As Brian has pointed out weight and space is a concern as all our gear is carried on our heads. So all I plan on using is a sunpak rd2000. Considering mostly these photo's are used for posting online and maybe a 8x10 they don't need to be perfect (at least not at the expense of my neck). Really this will only be used on those late sunset loads. Or possibly on those overcast days where the clouds don't allow for a lot of light.

just an update... the flash worked really well. Will post pics later

you could always fly to the other side of your subject and shoot from the sunlight side. On the subject of flash and shold you or not.. go to Eloy and look at McGownes set up. you will see that he uses a flash and that guy has the best photos in the business of freefall photography!

look forward to seeing with fill flash