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When would you need to use a flash to any portrait photo or any type of photo?


smithmaestro

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<p>I don't really understand the concept of using a flash that well, except that it can eliminate shadows and dark bits, but how do you know if you need a flash or not? How do you even use a flash at the right type of brightness? Whenever I use a flash, I could get pictures that are too bright, and I don't want pictures that are bright.</p>

<p>If you have time, please post photo samples of pictures WITH flash and the same picture WITHOUT flash. Thank you so much.</p>

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<p>I guess it all depend on the type of effect you want. If you look all around you the world is filled with light, shadows (lesser amount of light), and darkness (no light). Direct, harsh light just makes something look flat and featureless on the most part. Shadow helps create a more three dimensional effect. Consider the angle of light also. Most light comes from above (varying angles) whether it be natural or artificial. <br>

So how does one use light and shadow. You can use it naturally, naturally and modified or artificially and modified. Naturally is just capturing it as is. Naturally and modified is using reflectors or diffusers to direct or change the quality of natural light. Artificial light is sometimes used to overpower natural light (the sun) and/or fill in harsh shadows. In low light artificial light often becomes the main light. It is often modified and even reflected in many different ways.</p>

<p>If you don't know when to use a flash and find that when you do it is to bright I'd suggest starting looking at photographs others have taken. Really look at them. Direction and quality (harsh/Soft) of light. Find what's pleasing to you. Then place your subject and/or light source to get the effect you like. If it's to bright... either adjust your flash to put out less power or your camera to allow less light to hit the sensor/film.</p>

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<p>Look, flash is a really big subject, and your success with it depends on more than when to use it. But here are a couple situations in which you will probably be happier with your flash turned on that if you'd left it off:</p>

<p>Bright light or big bright area directly behind your subject and subject in shadow.<br>

Subjects dressed in very contrasting brightness - primary example black tux and white wedding dress. But it can be white cat and black cat or lady in light colored dress standing next to Christmas tree.</p>

<p>Now the other important point about flash is that you get a better result the more control you exert over the flash and camera. Here's where it gets more complicated because a big piece of your success will be in the tool you're using. If you're using a pocket point and shoot you can exert some control, but nowhere near as much as if you're using more professional equipment. But the p&s can give you some quite acceptable results if you learn to take advantage of those cute little modes it offers. For sure one of them is going to be something designed to make good photos of people - some sort of portrait mode, whatever they call it. Use that kind of mode when you're taking pix of your friends, their pets, the pyramid of beer bottles they've built, them with their dogs - whatever. Especially when there's a big bright area behind them.</p>

<p>So read the little booklet that came with your camera and try out all those little modes, especially in the situations they're designed for.</p>

<p>I bet your photos will make more sense.</p>

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