Canon Digital Camera Flash Photography Guide Part 1
Filed Under camera and photo
Using a flash to take pictures make seem like just a point and shoot thing for most people. However, to master the technique of good photo taking with a flash require mastering some skills. This is due to the fact that flash photography works in micro seconds and our eyes cannot distinguish the differences within that short period of time. In addition, we are also not able to see the flash working as we are looking through the viewfinder of the camera. Here in this guide, we will show you how with 5 simple tips you can achieve better flash photographic techniques.
Using the Canon Digital Camera Internal flash as opposed to the External flash.
Depending on your requirements, taking simple snapshots with the Canon camera internal flash is usually more than adequate if the subject matter is not far away like in a party situation. The internal flash is not very powerful ands the light produced by the flash is very harsh. However, in most cases people do not mind as the conveniences of the internal flash override the requirement of the need for an external flash. However for a more professional setting, you will need external flash as the light from an internal flash is very harsh. External flash allows you to bounce off light off the wall thus softening it.
Using an Old Flash with the New Canon EOS Digital camera.
Depending on the type of flash that you have, Canon Digital Camera only uses the Canon Speed-lite Flash with those models ending with “EX”. Other models like the “E” or “EZ” models will not be able to work with the Canon EOS Digital camera. Those from other manufacturer require that they support E-TTL flash metering in order for the flash to be compatible with the Canon EOS digital camera.
Why internal flash produces lower quality photographs.
Natural looking soft light comes from a large area. As such an internal flash unit cannot replicate soft light as in the real world. This is because the flash unit is located near the lens of the camera and only illuminates a small area. To get around this problem, what you can do is to bounce light off the wall onto the subject in order to soften the light. This way you can get a more natural looking picture when you illuminate it with soft light. On the other hand, you can also use a diffuser to diffuse the light so that you also achieve the same result.
Overcoming Red Eye effect while using flash light.
The most common problem when using internal flash to take a picture is the problem of “Red Eyes”. This happens because the red blood vessels lining the retina of the eyes reflect back the flash light back into the camera resulting in the subject eyes glowing red in the photos. Taking pictures of animal also produces a related problem but this call the “Green eye” effect because of the color pigment of the animal’s eyes. When you use an external flash, you will be able to avoid all these problems.
How to take photos in rapid succession using the flash.
After a flash unit has fire off its light, it will require some time to charge up. Therefore if you keep taking pictures is rapid succession you have to make sure that the flash unit is the “Rapid Fire” type. This just means that the flash will work even though it has not reach it full charge. Don’t forget also that the batteries play a part in the ability of the flash unit to charge quickly too.
Tags: lens, camera, photograph
