Considering the amazing lenses available,is flash absolutely needed? Personally, I'd rather invest in the lenses than the lighting. It's ridiculous how much these flashes cost and aren't that much different. I've seen great photos with and without.....just looking for thoughts on the subject. Bad enough but now we got to pay $400 for a transmitter?? I'm happy to spend on the lenses but the flash aspect irks me.
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Is flash really needed?
- Thread starter Nickels
- Start date
Digitalis32
Leading Member
Many images can be improved with skilled use of lighting, as a portrait photographer I know there are many situations where natural light simply doesn't cut it and its variable nature over the day makes it impossible to rely upon. Flash removes these issues, and when used skillfully it can improve upon available light. You can shoot wide open with a f/1.2 lens and have DOF that is only razor thin, but is that really going to be appropriate for each and every subject? No.
Wireless flash is expensive - many starting photographers baulk at the cost, but the creative freedom it offers is priceless.
Pentax K10D - FA*300mm f/2.8@ f/4 - Wireless AF540FGZ with Honl 1/4 CTO gel
For instance this Australian Kookaburra would have just been a silhouette against a blown out background without the use of wireless flash to introduce some balanced light. DOF is one way of making a subject stand out from a distracting background - but light can be used in exactly the same way too.
Wireless flash is expensive - many starting photographers baulk at the cost, but the creative freedom it offers is priceless.
Pentax K10D - FA*300mm f/2.8@ f/4 - Wireless AF540FGZ with Honl 1/4 CTO gel
For instance this Australian Kookaburra would have just been a silhouette against a blown out background without the use of wireless flash to introduce some balanced light. DOF is one way of making a subject stand out from a distracting background - but light can be used in exactly the same way too.
Last edited:
Spotted Cow
Senior Member
Photography is all about light and being able to, knowing, and learning how to control light. I'm all for natural light photography and I use it every chance I get but I feel that knowing how to use flash properly is part of being a good photographer.
I agree that OEM Canon off camera flash system set up system can be expensive but I've had really good luck and success with Yongnuo flash and flash system and I'm thankful because I've been able to learn and do a lot because of their affordable lighting system. You might want to look in to the Yongnuo system.
I agree that OEM Canon off camera flash system set up system can be expensive but I've had really good luck and success with Yongnuo flash and flash system and I'm thankful because I've been able to learn and do a lot because of their affordable lighting system. You might want to look in to the Yongnuo system.
Physioz
Well-known member
Nice one. I got the silhouette only ...
Pentax K10D - FA*300mm f/2.8@ f/4 - Wireless AF540FGZ with Honl 1/4 CTO gel
For instance this Australian Kookaburra would have just been a silhouette against a blown out background without the use of wireless flash to introduce some balanced light.
You (OP) wouldn't go far wrong taking a look at this book
Although written for Canon speedliters, there's more than enough generic stuff no matter your choice of camera and speedlite.
PS if you're considering buying, hold off as the new edition will be out this month.
Try the author's blog www.pixsylated.com or Neil Van Niekirks blog: http://neilvn.com/tangents/
A new edition of speedlite is out next month?Nice one. I got the silhouette only ...
Pentax K10D - FA*300mm f/2.8@ f/4 - Wireless AF540FGZ with Honl 1/4 CTO gel
For instance this Australian Kookaburra would have just been a silhouette against a blown out background without the use of wireless flash to introduce some balanced light.
You (OP) wouldn't go far wrong taking a look at this book
Although written for Canon speedliters, there's more than enough generic stuff no matter your choice of camera and speedlite.
PS if you're considering buying, hold off as the new edition will be out this month.
Try the author's blog www.pixsylated.com or Neil Van Niekirks blog: http://neilvn.com/tangents/
Physioz
Well-known member
Yip, according to the author's blog it will be shipping this month (and it's available for pre-order on Amazon)
hotdog321
Forum Pro
I agree the high end Canon strobes are ridiculously overpriced. But is a flash--some flash--needed? Yes. Sometimes ya just gotta use some portable illumination and existing light just ain't gonna cut it.
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I've been in Newfoundland in November, although not shooting weddings.
It seems to me the mother of the bride would like some snap in her daughter's wedding photographs, and be able to see eyes, and see faces underneath hats.
You could probably shoot flash-free in the Hotel Newfoundland atrium on a day ranging from sunny to cloudy-bright, but I imagine it a problem in the evening.
BAK
It seems to me the mother of the bride would like some snap in her daughter's wedding photographs, and be able to see eyes, and see faces underneath hats.
You could probably shoot flash-free in the Hotel Newfoundland atrium on a day ranging from sunny to cloudy-bright, but I imagine it a problem in the evening.
BAK
I agree!
I got Yongnuo version III that has the built in receiver and the Yn560-tx transmitter and it works fantastic and a LOT cheaper than OEM stuff.
R
rrccad
Guest
canon flashes last forever. they are compatible with any canon camera body, and will work on new cameras when they are released as well.
they are also quite durable and dependable.
granted you pay alot for them; however it's like getting good glass - it's an investment - and used canon flashes sell for quite high values, so even if you decide it's not for you, you can recoup a fair amount of your investment.
there are cheaper flashes, however camera compatibility may be suspect, reliability with the yuongo flashes has always been a mixed bag.
YMMV
tonyjr
Veteran Member
I have about 6 different flashes and right now , non are in camera bag .
I shoot weddings as a friend / guest shooter . Granted a few shots have unwanted shadows .
After way to many hours playing with flashes , reading books , and even posting questions , the flashes sit in their own bag and are seldom used . Right now I would say software is easier to learn and use than learning flash . Without flash , what you see is what you get most of time . With a flash , glasses , secroms , earrings braces , red eye , all kinds of items show up that you can't see when you take shot .
If you think you need a flash , invest in LED lights / light panels . The ones I use have rechargeable batteries cost me 19 something each , worked great and I bought 4 more [ total of 6 ] Since then , they have come out with ones that are bigger and batteries last longer .
Before you decide , buy a used copy Speedliters hand book by Syl Arena . Don't waste money on a new copy , if you like it , then buy a new copy .
Hopefully others will post about LED lights , if no one does - post which LED light is best ?
never ming , I will post question .
I shoot weddings as a friend / guest shooter . Granted a few shots have unwanted shadows .
After way to many hours playing with flashes , reading books , and even posting questions , the flashes sit in their own bag and are seldom used . Right now I would say software is easier to learn and use than learning flash . Without flash , what you see is what you get most of time . With a flash , glasses , secroms , earrings braces , red eye , all kinds of items show up that you can't see when you take shot .
If you think you need a flash , invest in LED lights / light panels . The ones I use have rechargeable batteries cost me 19 something each , worked great and I bought 4 more [ total of 6 ] Since then , they have come out with ones that are bigger and batteries last longer .
Before you decide , buy a used copy Speedliters hand book by Syl Arena . Don't waste money on a new copy , if you like it , then buy a new copy .
Hopefully others will post about LED lights , if no one does - post which LED light is best ?
never ming , I will post question .
Sports Shooter
Senior Member
A wedding photographer without a flash in his camera bag???
Fill in for outdoor portraits for example?? You can do so much with a couple of speedlights and some creativity..
I actually had the same thought and ordered an LED light a few days ago. I like continuous light for effect (rim light etc.) it was fairly cheapish in comparison too.
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