How Important Is Built in Flash?.
How Important Is Built-in Flash? A Beginner's Guide
Introduction
Built-in flash is a common feature on most digital cameras, but how important is it really? For beginners, it can be a lifesaver in low-light situations or when you need to fill in shadows. However, built-in flash also has its limitations, and it's not always the best choice for creating high-quality photos.
In this article, we'll discuss the pros and cons of built-in flash and help you decide whether it's right for you. We'll also provide tips for using built-in flash effectively.
Pros of built-in flash
- Convenience: Built-in flash is always there when you need it, and it's easy to use. Just pop it up and fire away.
- Portability: Built-in flash adds no extra weight or bulk to your camera, making it ideal for travel or quick snapshots.
- Versatility: Built-in flash can be used for a variety of purposes, including portrait photography, event photography, and macro photography.
Cons of built-in flash
- Harsh light: Built-in flash produces a harsh, direct light that can cast unflattering shadows on your subjects.
- Limited power: Built-in flashes have a limited range, so they may not be effective in all low-light situations.
- Red-eye: Built-in flash can cause red-eye, especially in portraits.
When to use built-in flash
Built-in flash can be a useful tool in a variety of situations, including:
- Low-light: When the ambient light is too low to produce a well-exposed photo, built-in flash can be used to fill in the shadows and brighten up the scene.
- Fill-in flash: Fill-in flash can be used to brighten up the faces of your subjects in harsh sunlight or when they are backlit.
- Macro photography: Macro photography involves taking extreme close-ups of small objects. Built-in flash can be used to illuminate the subject and prevent blurry photos.
Tips for using built-in flash effectively
Here are a few tips for using built-in flash effectively:
- Bounce the flash: Bouncing the flash off of a ceiling or wall will soften the light and reduce red-eye.
- Use a diffuser: A diffuser is a translucent cover that can be attached to your flash to soften the light.
- Reduce the flash power: You don't always need to use the full power of your flash. Reducing the flash power will produce a more natural-looking light.
- Experiment with different angles: Try using the flash from different angles to see how the light affects your photos.
Alternatives to built-in flash
If you're looking for more control over your lighting, you may want to consider using an external flash. External flashes are more powerful and versatile than built-in flashes, but they can be more expensive and cumbersome to carry around.
Another option is to use continuous lighting, such as a video light or a desk lamp. Continuous lighting is a good choice for situations where you need to shoot video or when you want to see how the light will affect your photo before you take it.
Conclusion
Built-in flash is a useful tool, but it's not always the best choice for creating high-quality photos. If you're serious about photography, you may want to consider using an external flash or continuous lighting. However, for beginners, built-in flash is a great way to get started with photography in low-light situations.
Here are some additional tips for beginners who are using built-in flash:
- Experiment with different settings: Most cameras have a variety of flash settings, such as TTL (automatic), manual, and rear-curtain sync. Experiment with different settings to see what works best for your situation.
- Use a tripod: A tripod will help you keep your camera steady, which is especially important in low-light situations.
- Edit your photos: After you've taken your photos, you can use a photo editing program to reduce red-eye, adjust the brightness, and crop and straighten your photos.
With a little practice, you can learn to use built-in flash to create great photos in any situation.