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| Paparazzi |
Why does everyone insist on using the flash constantly?
Although it might be a
slightly dull topic to begin my blog with, it's actually something
that I feel is rather important because there is a lot of controversy
over who is 'right' or 'wrong' about the situation when it comes to
flash.
Firstly, what is a flash? I
hear you ask. Flash photography is used to create an artificial light
to help illuminate a scene, particularly a dark one. It can also be
used to capture objects that are moving quickly or it can also just
alter the quality of the light.
You will commonly see
flashes built into compact cameras already which will automatically
be triggered by the shutter. This is even seen on a DSLR when using
automatic mode. This tells the camera operator that flash must always
be needed. However, the camera is assuming that the inexperienced
photographer on auto mode won't be aware if they have a good quality
of light or not and therefore just alters the light for them anyway
with an automatic flash. This is obvious as in a manual mode, the
flash will not be triggered unless you tell it to (given that you
previously assess the lighting condition ahead of you). This proves
that an automatically rising flash is due to the assumption of
inexperienced users not being able to tell what needs to be used.
When using a DSLR, other
than using the 'on- camera' flash, you can mount a flash to the
accessory mount bracket or 'hot-shoe'. The problem with this is that
if you don't know how to use it properly, you will use the flash just
as a 'direct' light source, much like the built in flash but with a
higher light intensity meaning that the image will be quite still and
unmoving. I would definitely recommend a bounce flash if possible
(when you're inside with a low enough ceiling) as the light created
is much softer and even. This effect can also be created with the use
of a 'Fong' and possibly a dome. This is just a diffuser which the
light of the flash hits and therefore spreads the light out more
evenly. I don't particularly like this type of diffusion as it looks
quite unprofessional with a big plastic cup attached to your flash.
You always see the paparazzi
on the TV photographing celebrities with their huge DSLR cameras and
hige flashes attached to them. However, you also see them holding the
camera up above the crowd and just pointing downwards. This involves
no skill what so ever as they don't even look through the viewfinder
to see what is in their shot before they press down on the shutter.
This must also be bad for photographers surrounding them as numerous
flashes going off at once would surely disrupt a few lighting
conditions.
In addition to this, the
cost of a flash to attach to your DSLR would roughly set you back
about £150-£200 whereas it would be free to use natural lighting.
Also, the size and weight of the flash has to be considered when you
carry around all of your gear.
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| Ring Flash |
Positives for flash:
- Ring flash creates a lovely 'halo' effect
- Good if there is not much available light
- Studio flash lighting is needed to illuminate the model in the darkness
Natural lighting just cannot
be beaten at all. If you compare an image taken with a flash to one
taken using natural lighting, you will see how soft and even the
lighting can be when it's natural. My favourite example of this is
Julian Germain and his project 'For every minute you are angry, you
lose sixty seconds of happiness'.
Next time you go to take a
portrait shot, instead of using the flash, just stand your model by
the window instead with the light coming in towards one side (if the
window is behind them then you'll get a silhouette) and you will see
how effective it can be for a naturally occurring element.
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