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Do you use your flash while traveling?


allan_martin

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<p>Hello!<br>

Im an amateur photographer and the time I use my camera the most is when im traveling.<br>

I have a d7000 and the next thing on the list was a flash.<br>

I know it's good to have one for portraits, indoor and and to soften shadows.<br>

Now im asking myself, before I actually buy it, am I going to really use a flash for general travel photography?</p>

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<p>Depends on whether you're willing to carry the extra weight and bulk in exchange for better flash photos. I like to travel light and would just use the pop-up flash if necessary. The pop-up works well as a fill flash, just dial in a bit of negative flash exposure compensation as required.</p>
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<p>When I first bought a 35mm-sensor model without a built in flash, I bought the matching flash unit.<br /> I have taken it on every trip since, over the last several years.<br /> Times actually used (except to see if it worked, it did): 0</p>

<p>Some of us just prefer available light. I'm sure that someday I will need it, but not so far.<br /> I very much respect my friends and colleagues who use flash effectively, however; and I am not saying everyone should avoid flash.</p>

<p>In the end, only you can answer your question.</p>

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<p>Just thinking about a recent trip, my flash came in handy when wandering around inside forts, primitive ruins in the southwest and heavily wooded areas where the lighting was not very good. Many times I will snap a shot w/out flash and one w/flash, so I have a choice of which I like better. It can go either way, but at least I have the option. <br /><br />Like Alan mentioned the flash comes in handy for back-lighted portraits/subjects...especially at sunset/sunrise. I have used the pop-up flash but I would rather have more fill light available if needed.<br /><br />As JDM said, it is kind of a personal choice. I probably use mine on occasion during every trip.</p>
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<p>If a flash comes in handy is only a question when you like the effect. I prefer available light, so I never travel with a flash. I use flash only for the occasional snapshot at parties.<br>

Only you can decide if there will be situations that justify the extra weigth and space of the flash.</p>

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<p>If you know how to effectively use a flash, by all means bring it. If you don't know how to effectively use it, learn how to use it and then bring it. When you know how to effectively use it, you will know that you will want to bring it.</p>
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<p>".......as I have come to prefer available light. That seems to be particularly true these days when high ISO settings are possible."</p>

<p>Not arguing with what works for you, but high ISO settings have little effect on subjects lit with harsh, midday available light. If pleasing available light is present, I will choose that every time, but I find that this is seldom the case. More often, I find that it is the available light itself which requires the use of flash for fill. I carry a flash with me (and use it quite often) to remedy poor light, not to increase my shutter speeds. </p>

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<blockquote>

<p>Not arguing with what works for you, but high ISO settings have little effect on subjects lit with harsh, midday available light.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

Eric makes the right point. I would add that it's also an issue with dull flat light, which is also a problem.<br>

<br>

I look at a lot of portfolios from people. When I hear "I only shoot with available light," I'm pretty certain I am going to see a fair number of poorly lit faces that ruin what would otherwise be a good photo. Far better to use all the tools to get the best results.<br>

</p>

<blockquote>

<p>When you know how to effectively use it, you will know that you will want to bring it.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

Exactly. I spend a huge proportion of the time I spend with new photographers, and sometimes ones who have been shooting for quite a while, teaching them how to use flash. <br>

<br>

I travel with a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754467-USA/Canon_5247B002_Speedlite_270EX_II.html">small flash</a> that results in almost no "extra weight and bulk." It is more powerful and more controllable than the on-camera flash. There are similar products for every camera.</p>

 

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<p>I use flash in a wide variety of situations, including when traveling. When on vacation, I usually carry just a point and shoot unless I'm there to actually shoot a job. With P&S I leave the built-in flash turned on almost all the time since the fill light in outdoor shots is useful more times than it's a problem.</p>
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<p>eric, yes, apologies, the discussion at that point in the thread was about use of flash to light inside dark buildings hence my high ISO comment. I should have been more specific to avoid any misunderstanding.<br /> <br /> Jeff, I've been thinking about this discussion and why I do not use flash. To me one of the attractions of natural light (including 'found' artificial light) is that it is always different. I find as a personal preference that with flash the results often look rather similar to each other. Pretty good, as often as not, but all a bit similar. I can understand that for a professional photographer that flash is essential where the priority is a usable shot. As an amateur I do not have that priority. I can choose to use flash or not. If I choose<strong><em> not</em></strong> to use flash then I have to accept that I will miss some shots because the available light isn't right. But to me that doesn't really matter. Instead I will look for the shot that<strong><em> is</em></strong> possible, or interesting, with natural light. As ever with matters of aesthetics there is no right answer - just personal preference.<br /> <br /> Raid, why did the R/F cause you to abandon flash?</p>
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<p>I use flash for people shots outside in midday sun. As Jeff says, if you actually know how to use flash correctly it looks fine. <br>

That said, I haven't used flash in a couple of years and I make my living as a people photographer. </p>

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<p>I never travel without a flash. Most recently I bought the baby Canon 270 to be lighter, but because it limits shutter speed to 1/200s (no high speed shutter capability) I find myself going back to packing the 430 or the 580 as most of the use is for fill-in where I am probably using natural daylight and wide apertures.<br>

<br /> The downside is that it draws attention to you when you use it and people can become very self conscious. If you use it, be prepared to make the first shot count.<br>

<br /> The opposite is also true that it can set you apart from being just another pesky tourist grabbing sneaky shots. If you behave like a pro, people generally treat you like a pro. A perfect 'local' shot for me is when I take one shot with the flash, show it to them and then ask if I can take another. The level of engagement is then very different.<br>

<br /> The attached shot is not actually mine, but is my wife's and she uses the same approach. She's much better at it than me though :)</p><div>00bmAd-541018584.jpg.9e90edfd7378a6290e011c966eddc893.jpg</div>

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<p>I shoot a Canon 5DIII, which does not have a pop-up flash. When I go out to shoot landscapes I take the kit, 5DIII, Tripod, 16-35L, 24-70L (optional) 70-200L, 2X extender (for the 70-200L) & 580EXII (flash) it gets heavy but you got everything. Very rarely use flash<br>

If I need or want to travel light I take the 5DIII, 24-105L & Canon 220EX (flash) for fill which is small and can go in your pocket. I was on a cruse a couple of years ago and needed some light, didn't have any. Went out and bought the 220EX (E-TTL) works great for those times.<br>

The other thing, if you have good high ISO is to shoot auto ISO, great on the 5DII & RX100. The RX100 is my new favorite "everyday" camera.</p>

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<p>A valid question and one that can be asked about every piece of photo gear when travelling. Do you want to cover all possibilities? If so, bring everything including all your lenses, back-up bodies, tripods, flashes, etc. Sometimes one of the primary purposes of travel is an opportunity to go make stunning images. In that case I error on the side of bringing too much gear.<br>

That's what I used to do on every trip a few years ago. These days, photography is no longer one of my primary goals when travelling and I travel with as little gear as possible. My last couple trips were done with just a Sony RX100 + polarizer + Gorillapod + spare battery + Lens Pen. It can all fit in two pants pockets or one jacket pocket/small camera case. Did I miss a few photos that I could have gotten with a backpack full of gear? Probably. Do I care? Not at all. I now love the freedom of not carrying a pack full of camera gear and worry more about enjoying the journey, my surroundings and the people I'm with rather than coming back with the best images possible. In this way I enjoy the travel more and still am thrilled with the photos I captured when I return home.<br>

As for flash, I occasionally use the pop-up flash built-in to my cameras. For me it's the RX100 which can even do bounce flash or the one in the Pentax K5; I believe the D7000 is similar to the K5 in that regard. I also find that most of the time my images are robust enough (if exposed properly) and post-processing software is good enough to easily lift up the shadows in post-processing if need be. It's a little extra work but does work well when needed.<br>

I no longer bring an external flash and rarely regret that choice. If I didn't have a built-in flash, then I probably would look for a small pocketable option as some previous posters have mentioned.<br>

So, no right answer. Figure out what your priorities are and I think your answer will become apparent.</p>

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<p>Not long ago I would have said many of the things that I have read others say here, but when traveling now -- and the fact that now I shoot everything in RAW format -- I have found that it is not worth the weight and space. Adobe Camera Raw's fill light is astonishing, along with all its other features. And modern digital cameras have such high quality with high ISO speeds, that I wonder when the day will come that built-in flashes become a thing of the past. Even years ago, I went down into a kiva at Mesa Verde National Park, where is was dark as a dungeon inside, and shot at ISO 3200, being amazed at the results. A flash down there would have ruined the shot.</p>
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