Why Use An External Flash On A DSLR?.
Why Use An External Flash On A DSLR?
A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Built-in flash units are convenient, but they're not always the best option for photographers. External flash units offer a number of advantages, including more power, greater flexibility, and more creative control. If you're serious about photography, an external flash unit is a must-have.
Why use an external flash?
There are many reasons to use an external flash unit, but some of the most common include:
- More power: External flash units are simply more powerful than built-in flash units. This means that they can light up larger scenes and subjects, and they can also be used to bounce light off of walls and ceilings to create softer, more flattering illumination.
- Greater flexibility: External flash units can be tilted and rotated to direct light where you want it to go. This gives you more control over the lighting in your photos. You can also use external flash units with a variety of modifiers, such as diffusers and reflectors, to further control the quality of light.
- More creative control: External flash units can be used to create a variety of creative effects, such as backlighting, rim lighting, and fill light. You can also use external flash units to freeze motion in low-light conditions.
When to use an external flash
External flash units can be used in a variety of situations, but some of the most common include:
- Low-light conditions: External flash units can be used to light up scenes in low-light conditions, such as indoors or at night.
- Fill light: External flash units can be used to fill in shadows and create more even lighting in a scene.
- Backlighting: External flash units can be used to backlight a subject to create a dramatic effect.
- Rim lighting: External flash units can be used to add a thin rim of light around the edges of a subject to make them stand out from the background.
- Freezing motion: External flash units can be used to freeze motion in low-light conditions, such as when photographing sports or wildlife.
Choosing an external flash unit
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing an external flash unit, such as power, features, and price.
- Power: The power of an external flash unit is measured in guide numbers. The higher the guide number, the more powerful the flash unit.
- Features: External flash units come with a variety of features, such as TTL metering, high-speed sync, and bounce flash. TTL metering allows the flash unit to communicate with your camera to automatically set the correct exposure. High-speed sync allows you to use flash with shutter speeds faster than your camera's normal maximum sync speed. Bounce flash allows you to bounce light off of walls and ceilings to create softer, more flattering illumination.
- Price: External flash units can range in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars. It's important to set a budget before you start shopping.
Using an external flash unit
Once you've chosen an external flash unit, it's important to learn how to use it effectively. Here are a few tips:
- Read the manual: The manual for your external flash unit will contain important information on how to use it safely and effectively.
- Experiment: The best way to learn how to use an external flash unit is to experiment. Try using it in different situations and with different settings to see what works best.
- Use a diffuser: A diffuser can help to soften the harsh light from an external flash unit. This is especially important when shooting portraits.
- Bounce the flash: Bouncing the flash off of walls and ceilings is a great way to create softer, more flattering illumination.
Conclusion
External flash units can be a great asset for photographers. They offer more power, greater flexibility, and more creative control than built-in flash units. If you're serious about photography, an external flash unit is a must-have.
Here are some additional tips for using an external flash unit:
- Use a remote trigger: A remote trigger allows you to fire your flash unit from a distance. This is useful for situations where you want to bounce the flash or position it away from the camera.
- Use a flash bracket: A flash bracket allows you to mount your flash unit on top of your camera and bounce it off of a diffuser or reflector. This is a great way to create soft, even lighting.
- Use a gel filter: Gel filters can be used to change the color of light from your flash unit. This can be useful for creating creative effects or correcting color casts.
**Here are some examples of how