Am I alone in my love for flash use

[JR1]

I use different flash gear depending on what/where I shoot, in fact I really only began using flash just over three years ago, Oh I bought a top of the line Sunpak AZ4000 when it first came out and still have it and it works on my Nikkormat, but I was never that confident, then I decided to go for it and go a Metz 45 CL-4 digital and never looked back, I now have 2, along with a Metz 44 AF1 for my Canon and a backup Sunpak PZ42X and a SB910 Nikon.

The most versatile are the CL4s, as they work with anything any make of camera with the right SCA, the SB910, the SB910 Nikon offers me strobe effect when needed and a great gun, and the Sunpak is a great little gun

My flashguns are as indispensable to me as the camera itself, especially the power and reliability of the hammerheads.


This is what STROBE is, not what the flash is called, I think this was at 20 Hz




Anyone else

[Shadowman]

Same here regarding usage history, still learning but it is so much fun.

[Manfred M]

I'd have to agree with you. I have three small flash units (two Nikons and an older Metz) and two studio flash units (Einstein 640).

I find that a lot of people seem to be intimidated by flash, but frankly they allow one to do things that cannot be done using existing light by itself. They give images "pop" that is hard to do any other way. While reflectors can produce gorgeous results, but are hard to use if you do not have an assistant to maneuver them around (although help is useful for doing off-camera flash too).

[Melkus]

I use fill flash a lot to brighten deep shadow areas when out doors but I'm still learing sometimes I have the flash set wrong and my shots can look artificial and overexposed

[jcuknz]

Flash to me has always been the simplest way to take a photo using flash-t0-subject distance and a guide number to tell me what aperture to use ... that was until cameras and flash got to know each other in more than the most basic way and I don't know anything about working with a modern flash, in anycase my external units do not speak to my Panasonic cameras so I use them in the basic 'simple' way though with more control over the flash than my earlier units.

So if you handed me your Nikon and flash Jeremy I would decline to play

[Loose Canon]

I'd be hard pressed to recall a shot I've done in the last year that didn't involve flash Jeremy!

So no, you are not alone!

[rpcrowe]

Not alone by a longshot! I use flash for a large percentage of my images both outdoors (fill flash) and indoors (either hotshoe or studio flashes).

[Marie Hass]

Richard,

Since you turned me on to some flash basics and the the Joe Demb pro diffuser I am a believer. No more shadows. I use a flash bracket and external flash. Big difference in pictures. All I can say is thank you.

I think a lot of people may under-use a flash just because of a lack of knowledge. Like me.

Marie

[JR1]

It's just that I either see very few people using flash when I would and when they do you see beginners and "so called pros" making themselves look DUMB by using Stofens outdoors, they have NO idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p58aitTgM

[JR1]

It's just that I either see very few people using flash when I would and when they do you see beginners and "so called pros" making themselves look DUMB by using Stofens outdoors, they have NO idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5p58aitTgM

M Hass......

Practice, try, experiment, or in fact simply put it on and shoot shoot shoot day and night, in auto, you will not believe HOW easy it is.

I have 5 guns ranging from Mets Hammerheads (45 CL-4 Digitals to fill flash Sunpacks,) and never ever leave home without them

[JR1]

Not alone by a longshot! I use flash for a large percentage of my images both outdoors (fill flash) and indoors (either hotshoe or studio flashes).

But whey do you see so few people using flash, they spend a fortune on a tripod, filters, accessories but just about "the" most useful in fact important gear, flash is either a cheap second thought, or never bought.

[GrahamS]

Until you learn the principles of flash photography, you will not completely understand the science of photography. The art of flash photography is another matter.

[Colin Southern]

OK, I'll admit it - I'm a flasher too

6x 600EX-RT and 5x Elinchrom 1200RX.

[Loose Canon]

OK, I'll admit it - I'm a flasher too

6x 600EX-RT and 5x Elinchrom 1200RX.

Is this: the look on the subjects face when they can't see for a half hour after being nuked by all that cool lighting gear?

[Carl in Louisiana]

Have been and still learning but I love the look of bounced flash and OCF day or night. I think in the right situation it adds pop that can only be achieved with flash.

[JR1]

Does anyone else use hammerheads and why

Me it is the power and recycling times that I use them for, with Quantum battery packs

[AndrewMcD]

Might any of you flashers be able to provide some advice to a neophyte that has no idea about using flash? Up to this point I've spent the past year concentrating on understanding natural light exposure and composition. I have consciously stayed away from confusing the issue by introducing artificial light. For the sake of discussion can you recommend an appropriate flash for a Canon 6D and point me in the right direction to get started using it? I can see some projects that I have in mind for this summer that might benefit by my understanding how to use a flash. Note that the 6D does NOT have a built in flash but does have the necessary points of attachment for using flash. It is unlikely I will be shooting portraits. I think fill flash for outdoor still life "nature" shots would be useful. I can also see having a flash shooting automobiles in the paddock area and on track (close proximity drag strip starting line).

Andrew

[JR1]

Might any of you flashers be able to provide some advice to a neophyte that has no idea about using flash? Up to this point I've spent the past year concentrating on understanding natural light exposure and composition. I have consciously stayed away from confusing the issue by introducing artificial light. For the sake of discussion can you recommend an appropriate flash for a Canon 6D and point me in the right direction to get started using it? I can see some projects that I have in mind for this summer that might benefit by my understanding how to use a flash. Note that the 6D does NOT have a built in flash but does have the necessary points of attachment for using flash.

Andrew

See a previous post, this is THE best site for Canon on the Internet.

NO, there is NO"appropriate" flash for any camera, only a gun that is best suited to your requirements.

There are really only three types of flash

1. Ring (flash or LED), macro, close up and yes even studio work, I use LED and they are not to be poo pooed, get one as they are superb, ishoot, ebay, £25.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aputure-Am...item35d2a84b62

2. Shoe mounted on camera, can be used off with a bracket, as a hammerhead would be, I use Metz.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KOOD-FOLDI...item2ec76b72c3

3. Hammerhead, I use these

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equ...4-digital.html

Any camera compatible using SCA, used by many pros on the catwalks, I like them because they make easy carrying of the camera, they take over in power where usual guns leave off, they are superb for studio work and location.

I use them for this work







with this setup, Quantum battery pack allows almost instant recycling anywhere



So, decide what you want to shoot and then what gun suits you best.

For daily press type work I use an SB910, for Canon it would be the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT, DO NOT buy a gun that does not have enough "real" power, most guns and I mean most no where near approach the quoted guide numbers. See here, in fact the SB910 is one of a few that actually DO reach the actual power quoted, Nissin and Yongithings are up to 30% less than quoted.

http://www.techradar.com/news/photog...tested-1061812

And you get what you pay for, if in doubt remember, pros don't use (sorry) Yonginusey things, Nissin or the like, this is for a reason, when my guns fail (never have) it is the repair time etc that counts, hence Canon, Nikon, Metz.

http://www.wildlife-photography-tips.com/flashgun.html

Check out either Canon or Nikon user

[Manfred M]

I think fill flash for outdoor still life "nature" shots would be useful. I can also see having a flash shooting automobiles in the paddock area and on track (close proximity drag strip starting line).

Neither of these activities say use small flash to me. The nature shots and the shiny metal surfaces on automobiles don't normally get associated with flash techniques. I've read about people using long throw fresnel lenses for wildlife work and ringflash for closeups of natures.

[RichardTaylor]

I do not use flash a lot, however one thing I do use it for is to help a bit with nature photography in difficult lighting conditions.
Usually it is an on camera, or on a bracket, Canon 580EX (was top of the line Canon flash gun) used with a Canon 40D or 5D

Some examples.
#1 Shot around midday in our back yard, a couple of days ago, on a bright sunny day looking almost straight up into the tree.
Rainbow Lorikeet in our back yard by dicktay2000, on Flickr

#2 In our front garden.

Two's company, three's a crowd. by dicktay2000, on Flickr

#3 In a suburban nature reserve.

Bugs (1) by dicktay2000, on Flickr