When to use flash

[mindrules]

Are there any guidelines for using flash for digital photography for indoor portrait photos and outdoor nature photography?

[Newbie]

Generally speaking, I'd say that its when you want a clear shot when the camera holder can't stand still or when a subject can't stand still for the time of the shutter required without a flash.

For example, if you are shooting at 28mm and u use a shutter speed of 1/4s to take some in picture, your picture will innevitably be blurry for 2 reasons. 1, you can't stand still enough for 1/4s to take a picture and 2, your subject can't stand still for 1/4s not to be blurry.

In the nature, it is once more when you don't want something to blurry because the shutter speed with the available light wouldn't be fast enough without the use of an artificial light such as the flash.

But there are also situations when you want to have some blur in pictures, but it is never blur coming from camera shake. In this case you'd use a tripod and a slower shutter speed to enable enough light to come in; thus, you could get some blur on moving water while having the rest of the scene clear. That would create an effect.

[jamison55]

For landscapes, I can never thing of a situation where I would use the flash. If there is not eouugh light to take a sharp shot, then you need to break out the tripod or, at the very least, brace against a tree.

For portraits, ask 3 photographers this question and you will get three different answers. Generally speaking, there are situations where you need to use a flash because there is not enough light to prevent both subject and camera shake. Most indoor parties are great examples of this scenario.

Many photographers will say that outdoors, in good light, however, is also a time to tun on the flash for portraits. This technique takes a little more time to master, and a camera that gives you the ability to vary your flash power, such as your a95, but when done correctly produces a nice fill in the problem shadow areas of the face.

[Rhys]

Are there any guidelines for using flash for digital photography for indoor portrait photos and outdoor nature photography?

I'm a non flash user. I hardly ever use the perishing things. They almost universally underflash or overflash. The only time I was ever happy with a flash was when I used my Metz 45 CT1 and my Nikon FM. I knew the flash guide number, my film speed, my aperture and my shutter speed and worked it all out in my head. I was rarely disappointed.

The best use of a flash would be in lightening the foreground in contra jour photography. As for using it to illuminate large areas in the dark - that's a fairytale. It can be done and done well but all it takes is for something white to reflect and spoil the photo.

[Geoff Chandler]

I prefer not to use flash - natural light - or even manual white is usually my preference (see my Manual White eg)
Sometimes, however it has been known.!
Judge for yourselves though as it is always personal preference.
Heres's some tulips on the dining room table with a dark/mediu green carpet background: first pic as the camera read it (0ev)
Next I have a compensated picture of the same -1.7ev;
Then finally I used the flash to highlight the flowers and leave the background darker - also compensated at -1ev
Not a spectacular shot I agree - but an illustration of the difference that can be made.
I did a similar experiment with mostly yellow flowers agains a yellow wall - the flash obliterated them - they looked far better naturally and with just a little +0.3 or 0.7ev compensation (not shown)
Pictures for thought anyway

Geoff

[gary_hendricks]

In general, if there's enough light coming into the camera, then a flash not required.

The complex part is that the amount of light coming into the camera depends on a lot of things:
1) Shutter speed - the slower the speed, the more light coming into
the camera.
2) Aperture - the larger the aperture, the more light coming into the camera.
3) ISO setting - how sensitive the CMOS sensor is to light. The higher the setting, the more sensitive it is. So you need less light to take a clear photo.

This topic of flash can fill an entire textbook - really ;) If you need to know more, I suggest picking up a book from Amazon.com.