Fill Flash...

Can somebody explain the term "fill flash" for me?

And how does this differ from just using the flash?

And lastly is there an actaul setting for "fill flash" on the G-12?

I've read the manual, read David' Busch's book on the G12 and can't seem to get my arms around this question. When shooting a shot into the sun I'm having issues.

Thanks.

The main difference is really around when you are using the flash, with a lit subject you are normally trying to "fill" or remove shadow, in darker conditions you are using the flash as the main illumination for the subject - Lots of articles/vids on this try:
Article...
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com …ing-on-bright-sunny-days/
http://www.kenrockwell​.com/tech/fill-flash.htm
Vid...
http://www.youtube.com …McGCCEhiA&featu​re=related
or a bit more complex, but your G will do all this!!!
http://www.youtube.com …BExauPQTo&featu​re=related

Thanks John.

OK, so what about the G12...is there an actual fill flash mode? Button? Setting? Or is using the flash in the daylight just what you do?

The onboard flash on your camera can serve as your fill flash. Refer to your manual about activating the flash and also look to the camera's menu to change the power of the flash. Under certain conditions you might need just a little fill so you can then backdown the flash's power to give you just what you need. There likely will be some trial and error while taking your shots, finding that perfect exposure. Keep in mind shadows are not necessarily a bad thing, the objective is a natural light.

You might consider too a reflector which can either be made by yourself or inexpensively purchased.

Kevan wrote in post #13377084
The onboard flash on your camera can serve as your fill flash. Refer to your manual about activating the flash and also look to the camera's menu to change the power of the flash. Under certain conditions you might need just a little fill so you can then backdown the flash's power to give you just what you need. There likely will be some trial and error while taking your shots, finding that perfect exposure. Keep in mind shadows are not necessarily a bad thing, the objective is a natural light.

You might consider too a reflector which can either be made by yourself or inexpensively purchased.

Thanks very much. That's what I needed to know.

Trial and error? Got plenty of that.

Reducing flash power by about one stop is a good starting point, although each situation may be different. But that's a good place to start for a first trial shot, and then you can evaluate the results and adjust up or down from there. As has been said above, you want to keep a natural look but reduce shadows a bit on your main subject.

Thank you Rimmer.

Great advice as a starting point for me.

Fill flash equalizes the shadows on the face and allows for a better dynamic range of the actual subject. I really believe that for all high contrast pictures of human subjects (most touristy pictures in harsh daylight) fill flash is a must unless you really want the shadow effect. Today's camera sensors simply cannot deal properly with the high dynamic range required to render such photos properly, and thus a fill flash helps in reducing the required dynamic range.