Tag Archives: Flash

Photo Source: http://flickr.com/photos/billselak/987323495/

Admittedly, I hate using the flash unless it’s absolutely necessary, so I may be biased when I say that I think people use the flash FAR too much. Often to the detriment of the photo they are trying to take. There are exceptions of course, but it’s very VERY rare that you actually need to use your flash under normal circumstances if you’re setting up your shot properly using a combination of the ISO setting, aperture setting, and shutter speed. To me the flash is a last ditch effort to save a photo that cannot be taken any other way, and should be avoided whenever possible.

I have worked as a professional photographer off and on (I will admit, I’ve been “off” for more of less 2 years now), and I am always amazed at just how fast many people will jump to their flash before even attempting to properly setup the shot without it.

Maybe I’m too much of a “light purest”, or whatever you want to call it, but I just don’t like destroying the natural light of the photo if it can in any way be avoided, and I would highly suggest that people only use their flash as a last resort, or as a means to get a specific lighting effect, and not as a be all and end all way of “getting the lighting right” or some other excuse to be lazy with the setup of the shot.

For the sake of natural light everywhere, I implore you, use your flash sparingly, and only when it’s absolutely needed to get the shot you want. You’ll thank me later when you don’t end up with a bunch of photos that are flooded in artificial light and almost certainly ruining at least some of the magic of the original moment. Or maybe you won’t, and you think I’m an idiot for suggesting it, who knows. By all means chew me out in the comments…you might even convince me.

Tweet