Lighting 102: Fill Flash
This next lesson is great for P&S (Point and Shoot) and DSLR users.
I've noticed a few things over the years as I watch and learn from others.
1. Sunny Day. Lots of light. Why would anyone bring a flash or why would you use a pop up flash on your P&S? It just seems to be a given that you don't need any extra light assistance on a sunny day.
2. Pro photographers almost always have a flash with them. Why do you need a flash on a sunny day? Here's why.
You can't always control the environment you shoot at. A few years ago I was shooting an event at Husky Stadium. I had to take a group photo before the event in the stands, so I grabbed my LowePro bag and headed out.
Once I got to the location, there was a team of pros shooting the teams for the news. Each one had a flash(and most had d3's). It was a beautiful sunny day, I would have never brought one. Here's the catch. 1/2 of the teams were in the north facing stands. Luckily enough, I had my SB600 in the bag and got the shots I needed. The flash provided a good fill that really helped made the people stand out from the background. Even when the subject is in direct light, it might not work as well as you think w/o a flash.
Here is a good example of fill flash, taken at an hour or so before sunset in Kirkland.
I've noticed a few things over the years as I watch and learn from others.
1. Sunny Day. Lots of light. Why would anyone bring a flash or why would you use a pop up flash on your P&S? It just seems to be a given that you don't need any extra light assistance on a sunny day.
2. Pro photographers almost always have a flash with them. Why do you need a flash on a sunny day? Here's why.
You can't always control the environment you shoot at. A few years ago I was shooting an event at Husky Stadium. I had to take a group photo before the event in the stands, so I grabbed my LowePro bag and headed out.
Once I got to the location, there was a team of pros shooting the teams for the news. Each one had a flash(and most had d3's). It was a beautiful sunny day, I would have never brought one. Here's the catch. 1/2 of the teams were in the north facing stands. Luckily enough, I had my SB600 in the bag and got the shots I needed. The flash provided a good fill that really helped made the people stand out from the background. Even when the subject is in direct light, it might not work as well as you think w/o a flash.
Here is a good example of fill flash, taken at an hour or so before sunset in Kirkland.
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