When is it Time to Use Flash?

As a follow up to another thread, when do you make the switch from ambient light to some sort of flash?

When your shutter speed and aperture cannot keep up with the need. I also use fill flash in my outdoor photography to fill shadows and pop out my subjects.

Learning the flash has been a lot harder for me than learning the camera/lenses. Decreasing the exposure in the camera 1/3-2/3 stop and using flash in daylight has really improved my ourdoor photography.

Really, there are lots of answers. Maureen touched on the two big ones. I'll also use flash when there's no need to from an exposure perspectrive. If I'm shooting the bride getting ready in her home and there's no directional light, or it such a cloudy day that the light also lacks any direction, I'll add some off-camera flash just to create that sculpting; some highlights and shadows.

You have to understand when and how to use on and off camera flash before you can really call yourself a professional or charge for your work, in my opinion. Once you understand light you'll realise you can usually achieve better light when you replace or add a little yourself.

I use artificial light when I believe it will help the image. I use ambient when I think the existing light is perfect.
I almost always use some sort of artificial light.

You can use flash most of the time IMO. Just don't make it the "key" light and use it for soft fill. I shoot at 1/3000 and still use flash.

When you understand how it works and can control it adequately.

While I don't necessarily buy tim's claim that "You have to understand when and how to use on and off camera flash before you can really call yourself a professional or charge for your work," the guy has almost 39,000 posts. I have nothing on that.

I can say that I prefer to use existing 'natural' light whenever possible, given the limitations (iso, shutter speed &stability, aperature). I use this even when it is less that perfect, because, in my mind, it captures part of the day and so doesn't have to look like it was shot in a studio.

When I survey everything, if I find that I can't put my thoughts, gear, and ability together in a way to get an image I am comfortable with, I add my own bulb light.

Peter
--
http://www.hanowellpho​tography.com

Staszek wrote in post #10398888
As a follow up to another thread, when do you make the switch from ambient light to some sort of flash?

The short answer is: "Whenever the situation requires it."

Now, the longer answer is that some situations may technically require flash or some sort of supplemental light - ie, there is not enough light to get ANY sort of usable image...... while other situations may aesthetically or artistically call for flash. This last is a judgement or stylistic call.

I use flash for almost everything. Sometimes it is quite obvious, as in the case of a reception hall that is almost pitch black and requires additional light to get anything. Most other times I'll use it as such subtle fill as to not even be obvious. Sometimes I will use it straight on in bright sun as direct fill, or evening during some processionals at weddings. Again, these are judgement calls and the existing light has to be evaluated as one of the factors.

In most cases the flash is bounced in order to give a softer presence. I am always looking around my environment for larger surfaces against which the flash can be discharged to broaden it's apparent source, and render it as gentler fill or main light.

Staszek wrote in post #10398888
when do you make the switch from ambient light to some sort of flash?

When the ambient light sucks chunks.

cdifoto wrote in post #10407203
When the ambient light sucks chunks.

That's when someone who doesn't understand flash turns the flash on. Professionals turn it on when the light can be improved with flash, which IMHO is most of the time - even just for catchlights.

tim wrote in post #10408761
That's when someone who doesn't understand flash turns the flash on. Professionals turn it on when the light can be improved with flash, which IMHO is most of the time - even just for catchlights.

Hmmm. Thanks for the insult.

tim wrote in post #10408761
That's when someone who doesn't understand flash turns the flash on. Professionals turn it on when the light can be improved with flash, which IMHO is most of the time - even just for catchlights.

I tend to agree, I use some sort of artificial light on almost everything. sometime 12 to 14 of them.
not aerial stuff though....

cdifoto wrote in post #10409907
Hmmm. Thanks for the insult.

Any time

(I wasn't meaning you do it. It was a general statement).

zagiace wrote in post #10410356
I tend to agree, I use some sort of artificial light on almost everything. sometime 12 to 14 of them.
not aerial stuff though....

12 to 14 flashes? Holy smokes. Lets see some examples with 12 strobes.