Using a flash at car shows

I go to car shows in the summer time and I always see at least one photographer walking through the lot on a bright cloudless day with a Speedlight firing away. I've never understood that. I can see it on a overcast day or if you are shooting at an object under a tree but the middle of a sunny parking lot doesn't seem to make much sense. Is there a trick I'm missing here??

Fill-in flash, maybe? On those bright sunny days, assuming your flashing photog is in full control of the situation, you can bet that he/she will be getting superior shots at times...allowing just enough light to fill in those shadows, and if he's shooting people, he can avoid having them squint into the bright sunlight.

The hall-mark of a true pro is that, no matter what the light, there will be "keepers" at the end of the day...and that sometimes means using every tool at your disposal. Daytime flash is not always that easy to do well, and I admire those who can make it work all the time!

Ricardo222 wrote in post #16065207
Fill-in flash, maybe? On those bright sunny days, assuming your flashing photog is in full control of the situation, you can bet that he/she will be getting superior shots at times...allowing just enough light to fill in those shadows, and if he's shooting people, he can avoid having them squint into the bright sunlight.

The hall-mark of a true pro is that, no matter what the light, there will be "keepers" at the end of the day...and that sometimes means using every tool at your disposal. Daytime flash is not always that easy to do well, and I admire those who can make it work all the time!

My wife always insists in lining the kids up looking toward the sun during the high noon-afternoon photos. ***headdownslapswithpa​lm*** she never listens to me.

Ricardo222 wrote in post #16065207
Fill-in flash, maybe? On those bright sunny days, assuming your flashing photog is in full control of the situation, you can bet that he/she will be getting superior shots at times...allowing just enough light to fill in those shadows, and if he's shooting people, he can avoid having them squint into the bright sunlight.

The hall-mark of a true pro is that, no matter what the light, there will be "keepers" at the end of the day...and that sometimes means using every tool at your disposal. Daytime flash is not always that easy to do well, and I admire those who can make it work all the time!

I have zero problems getting keepers at car shows while the Speedlight stays in the bag. As long as I pay attention to where the sun is (controlling shadows, not shooting into it etc.), it's easy to get good shots. If I need a fill in, the pop flash works most of the time for me.

I'm always up for picking up new tricks so maybe I'll play around a little this weekend with the Speedlight at the show I'm going to be in.

waylandcool wrote in post #16065181
I go to car shows in the summer time and I always see at least one photographer walking through the lot on a bright cloudless day with a Speedlight firing away. I've never understood that. I can see it on a overcast day or if you are shooting at an object under a tree but the middle of a sunny parking lot doesn't seem to make much sense. Is there a trick I'm missing here??

Fill flash, if they know what they are doing, but I some times wonder if they do as I often see flashes pointed up as if to bounce off a ceiling that isn't there!

waylandcool wrote in post #16065307
I have zero problems getting keepers at car shows while the Speedlight stays in the bag. As long as I pay attention to where the sun is (controlling shadows, not shooting into it etc.), it's easy to get good shots....

That's great if you can pick and choose your photos but when you HAVE to shoot a particular car, ie you can't come back when it's overcast or the sun has moved, then you're potentially forced to shoot with the engine/interior etc half in full sun and half in shade. The only way around it is to create your own light by even overpowering the sun to some degree. I use strobes in full sun (at car shows) all the time, because it works, ie it gives you an better result in a very difficult situation.

waylandcool wrote in post #16065307
I have zero problems getting keepers at car shows while the Speedlight stays in the bag. As long as I pay attention to where the sun is (controlling shadows, not shooting into it etc.), it's easy to get good shots. If I need a fill in, the pop flash works most of the time for me.

You have answered your own question, surely?

If you have used the pop up flash when you need fill light, then surely you understand why some people use speedlights. Not all bodies HAVE a pop up flash, if they are using such a body, then a speedlight is needed for fill-in. Others may simply prefer to use a better flash than the pop up one.

I find flash very useful for lifting shadows on a bright day at a car show.

Talley wrote in post #16065221
My wife always insists in lining the kids up looking toward the sun during the high noon-afternoon photos. ***headdownslapswithpa​lm*** she never listens to me.

My mother told me to do that 60 years ago!

waylandcool wrote in post #16065181
Is there a trick I'm missing here??

The best trick that I can give you is to look for an evening show where the light isn't so contrasty. Look at the links in my Sig.

I always have my flash with me at a show. Especially for engine shots to even out the contrast. It also works well for interior shots through a driver side door or window.

I usually won't even shoot an engine bay without a flash. Preferably with a softbox or umbrella.