Flash

Since I started with a DSLR, first one a D70s, I have only used flash a few times.

 

In the film days with Ektachrome 100 I used it often. But I also like doing available light

photography in museums that don't allow flash. (But do allow photography.)

 

But with ISO 1600 for the D70s, and higher for later models, I do available light unless

it really doesn't work. Even better with VR lenses. (As long as the subject doesn't

move too much.)

I prefer natural lite and modern digital camera light sensitivity is really pretty amazing, but I don't live by some coda of photo purity. If there are times that I need something to be exposed for a reason I use flash if necessary. It's the type of discussion people have around, cropping.

Who else shoots only using available light

The thing about available light is that it's not always available.

 

And 'post processing' has been done almost from the very invention of photography. See Oscar Gustave Rejlander's work of circa 1854 for example.

 

Many other Victorian landscape workers 'printed in' skies to overcome the lack of colour sensitivity of the materials of the time. Even Ansel Adams manipulated his prints in the darkroom. And you might even class the whole process of producing a positive print from a negative as 'post processing'.

 

There's being a purist, and then there's stubbornly ignoring opportunities for improving a picture, or for expressing an artistic interpretation of what was in front of the camera.

Edited May 24, 2021 by rodeo_joe|1

There are also simply some photos that cannot be done without artificial light - I did a recent family self portrait, myself, my wife and our daughter, laying on the bed facing the camera, sheet over the window behind us, blown out to white, very high-key.

 

Without the speedlight, firing backwards from the hotshoe, at a reflector on the opposite wall, we'd have been in silhouette. I might have been able to do something with high ISO and bringing up the shadows in post, but the eyes would have been dull, not the same.

 

Little bit of preparation, couple of test shots, get everyone in place and done, only post was a slight crop to remove clutter around the edges of the frame (18mm equivalent lens) - result straight out of camera was exactly as I'd envisioned.

 

Could have done the same on film (if I had an 18mm lens), with the flashmeter instead of a digital test shot.

 

No fuss, no 'digital magic', just 'pure photography'

 

Yeah, I'd love a north facing wall of windows and high ceilings too!

I would use available light regardless how dim it is but it has to be nice.

FWIW, I agree with @Hector Javkin. Where I can use the 'available natural light' to produce good photos, I much prefer doing so. But there are situations in which the 'available natural light' produces too little tonal contrast (at whatever ISO). So I've recently started experimenting with reflected flash to increase the tonal contrast. In each situation, I take a few photos using just natural light followed by a few photos using a reflected flash. In PP, I select the best photos.

The most fun I’ve had with flash was not using it as a substitute for natural light or because I felt I had to use it due to insufficient light, but instead using it by choice to see what it could add visually and expressively to certain types of photos I was taking. I got some great results with long exposures and flash. That combo can exaggerate color and lighting, add an interesting sense of artifice, and make a human subject who’s moving even ever so slightly a bit transparent.

Oh well many professional wedding photographers create impressive album by shooting before the wedding day.

Don't quite follow what you are trying to say regarding my comment.

Don't quite follow what you are trying to say regarding my comment.

Didn't want you to fully understand! :):)

I meant so many pros create photo of a wedding that is not on the wedding day and make it a fake event in the photos and the wedding photos are purely a creation and not an event. So the ceremony isn't that important to them. But it's better if you just disregard my comment.

I never use flash when taking pictures.

Who else shoots only using available light and does not "post process" their images.

Just curious.

:).

I don't understand how photographers would limit their creativity by not experimenting with flash or post processing. I can't see any of your photos so I don't have a clue as to whether or not you are able to overcome those two elements in your work.

Didn't want you to fully understand! :):)

I meant so many pros create photo of a wedding that is not on the wedding day and make it a fake event in the photos and the wedding photos are purely a creation and not an event. So the ceremony isn't that important to them. But it's better if you just disregard my comment.

Thanks for the response.

make it a fake event

What?

 

If they're capturing the bride and groom and family, their love, their connection, whatever, what makes that fake? I doubt their grandchildren, in 50 years when they're looking at their grandparents' wedding album, are going to feel defrauded because some pics were made the day of the wedding and some were made a day or so before. Hopefully, like most of us looking at our parents' and grandparents' wedding albums, they'll be appreciating the memories and the lives of their loved ones.

But it's better if you just disregard my comment.

Not at all. It's worth responding to.

What?

 

If they're capturing the bride and groom and family, their love, their connection, whatever, what makes that fake? I doubt their grandchildren, in 50 years when they're looking at their grandparents' wedding album, are going to feel defrauded because some pics were made the day of the wedding and some were made a day or so before. Hopefully, like most of us looking at our parents' and grandparents' wedding albums, they'll be appreciating the memories and the lives of their loved ones.

 

Not at all. It's worth responding to.

You don't think so and most people don't think so so I don't want to argue. But for me I have seen many wedding photos that I don't think they are of any value. Just me.

But for me I have seen many wedding photos that I don't think they are of any value.

I have, too. I imagine we all have. The question is if they’re of no value because they weren’t taken on the day of the wedding or for other reasons.