p.5 #1 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
I can understand why some folks would rather not use flash, but to just completely dismiss it as a tool is ludicrous.
Yeah, I can paint a wall with a 9" roller, but why not an 18" when I can? I can hammer a nail in trim with my claw hammer, but why not use my finish nailer when I can?
To me it's another tool to get the job done. I don't even completely understand the cause and effect of everything I do with it yet, but even in learning it, I still won't dismiss it.
Another comparison is, it used to always come up in the music scene. I've been playing guitar for about a bazillion years (strangely enough not so much since I've been serious about photography). We would give lessons, and some people didn't want to learn things like sweep arpeggios, and linear line. Instead of just "not being interested in it", the people that didn't want to learn it, most of the time said those techniques sucked.
I always said that just because we know the tech's doesn't mean we have to use them. Just because you can play 10,000 notes per measure, doesn't mean you have to. However, it's another tool you have in your belt.
What I'm getting at, is even though you're in one specialty, doesn't mean you can't use another.
On the OT, I prefer to use whatever tool gets the job done.
p.5 #2 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
I prefer a photographer who can get the job done without flash (even if he thinks he can do a better job with it) when the situation calls for it.
I've seen too many music venues ruined by people using flash. And to date, I'd say 95% or more of them don't have a clue as to what they're doing with the flash.
p.5 #5 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
hfillmore wrote:
In general, I find that those who dislike flash the most, are those who least know how to use it.
Flash is a tool that, once mastered, can turn an ordinary shot into a great one, even though it's use was not "necessary" to get the shot.
/the more I learn how to use it properly, the more I love it.
Harvey
Those who can truly master the use of flash are generally pretty comfortable with any given situation, but many use flash with out truly understanding its intricasies, hence, like me, the preference for natural light and a nice soft reflector
p.5 #6 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
I prefer a very good quality of light. How you get there is less important than getting there.
I think you are missing the fundamental question. The real question is: In the situations I find myself in, how do I get the best light quality possible?
It sounds like you think one or the other is better, when all the various tools and techniques we have are there so we can get the best images possible, the best quality of light possible.
If you show an entire wedding to a non-photographer, they shouldn't be able to tell if flash was used or not for the vast majority of images. You want the bride to say "Wow, I didn't realize the reception was lit that nicely."
I've found that those who always use flash or never use flash do it because they have never learned how to do it the other way.
p.5 #7 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
Lance Lee wrote:
I prefer a very good quality of light. How you get there is less important than getting there.
I think you are missing the fundamental question. The real question is: In the situations I find myself in, how do I get the best light quality possible?
It sounds like you think one or the other is better, when all the various tools and techniques we have are there so we can get the best images possible, the best quality of light possible.
If you show an entire wedding to a non-photographer, they shouldn't be able to tell if flash was used or not for the vast majority of images. You want the bride to say "Wow, I didn't realize the reception was lit that nicely."
I've found that those who always use flash or never use flash do it because they have never learned how to do it the other way. ...Show more →
good point. i learned it w/out flash at first. im still trying to optimize my technique however. the chuck gardner tutorials have really helpful information about lighting and technique. i have to say that flash is definitely a good tool to have in the bag even if you have fast primes.
p.5 #8 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
rogie says: i have to say that flash is definitely a good tool to have in the bag even if you have fast primes.
That's true, and espescially if you don't have fast primes
As I wrote earlier, I use flash whenever necessary. Here's a sample. Nothing fancy, just a snap shot of my daughter, taken in planet holywood. Without flash, it would've been quite difficult to take this picture, espescially with a f/2.8 lens.
p.5 #10 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
EB-1 wrote:
Both. Ever heard of fill flash?
EBH
I agree 100%!! Being mainly a ring flash for macro, I use "fill flash" often also. Should have another category for "BOTH". I also use my "AJ Extreme Beamer" for fill flash on eagles..
Dan
p.5 #11 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
I use my mini 220ex for fill flash to remove shadows, and I use my 580ex at night to reach out the light someone. If flash is not allowed then my 35L or 135L is out of the bag.
p.5 #12 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
watkinssr wrote:
"Avoid making a commotion, just as you wouldn’t stir up the water before fishing. Don’t use a flash out of respect for the natural lighting, even when there isn’t any. If these rules aren’t followed, the photographer becomes unbearably obstrusive." - Henri Cartier-Bresson
That's all well and fine if you're a wealthy hobbyist like HCB was...
But it doesn't need to be a "kill the chicken or eat the eggs" choice. I think its better to have a flash, or two, and know how to use them when needed to alter scene contrast than not. You can always turn it off when not needed
p.5 #15 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
Jman13 wrote:
....
Since I have started bouncing my flash and doing it WELL ( learning just where to bounce the light in a certain room or how the subject is facing, etc), my photos have become MUCH better, and since I can shoot indoors at ISO 200 or 400 while bouncing, much cleaner as a side benefit. .....
For example, these are all flash:
p.5 #16 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
I posted these images on another forum a while back to discuss this very issue.
Both taken at 50mm on a 5d, one with bounce flash with a 430 EX, one without flash. Taken a couple of minutes apart. I usually try to shoot without flash when I can, but I prefer the flash shot here...
p.5 #18 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
M Vers wrote:
Michael--looks like your WB is a bit off in the ambient shot The second, however, is a good use of flash IMO.
Yea, the WB is off in the first; I think the colors are also a bit messed up in the first because of use of the recovery slider in LR, which has a tendency to alter colors in certain settings.
p.5 #19 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
I hate the term "flash," because it sort of implies an on-camera strobe used in ETTL mode.
IMO, until you've become proficient at using ancillary light, (call it what you will) you're not really a photographer, just an Uncle Bob with really good equipment.
Natural light can be great, if the conditions are JUST right, and the subject is facing the perfect direction, (especially outdoors) but how often does that happen?
p.5 #20 · do u prefer flash photography or available light?
Lars Johnsson wrote:
So then people who prefer "available light" shooting could say.
In general, I find that those who dislike available light shooting, are those who least know how to do it. :)
lol
For me it's not a question of knowing how to use it...I've had to a couple of times...I just don't like it. Personal preference. I don't like shooting with a flash, I don't like looking at photos where the photographer used a flash. It annoys me to no end, again it's just personal preference on my part
If I shot weddings, I would probably have to use a flash a lot, but I don't shoot weddings and really don't want to.
I shoot a lot of bands, in dark clubs, at iso 1600 f2.8, and the first thing I hear from the bands is that they love that I don't use a flash.
The second, however, is a good use of flash IMO.