Flash is a device which provides additional light to a scene. It can be used to help fill in a dark area of a photo, to provide light if there isn't sufficient light to begin with, or it can help to improve the composition of a particular photo, by creating your own source of light.
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When should you use a normal flash vs a second-curtain flash?
There have been many questions lately that focus on improving the quality of the image taken, where the answers circle around using a second-curtain flash to reduce blur and freeze motion.
Why not ...
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9answers
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Prime lens or flash: which upgrade will most improve baby photos?
I current own a Nikon D5000 with kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) and am looking to take better indoor photos of my fast-moving 9-month-old, which sometimes come out blurred or not natural I use the ...
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10answers
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What attributes should I look for when buying batteries for a flash?
I want to buy some more rechargable batteries (AAs) for my flashes.
I suppose I mainly care about:
- Quick recycling of the flash
- Hold their charge when not in use
Although bonuses for:
- Long ...
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5answers
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What exactly is flash sync speed, and should it be a factor in a buying decision?
What exactly is flash sync speed and should it be a factor in a buying decision?
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What is the quantative relation between flash guide number and ISO?
I found that formula on the Internet:
Guide Number = (Shooting Distance * Aperture) รท ISO Sensitivity
Is it correct? If it is could someone please explain why ISO is related to guide number in this ...
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What are the differences between E-TTL, i-TTL, and P-TTL?
Canon, Nikon and Pentax each have their own TTL flash metering systems, respectively E-TTL, i-TTL, and P-TTL. They all use a weak preflash that is metered and used to calculate flash power level ...
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4answers
359 views
How to keep flash from disrupting the scene?
My friends and I have observed that the act of using a flash in informal settings (for example, pictures of a Christmas party or a busy toddler) tends to draw attention to the photographer and thus ...
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What does TTL mean?
I'm new to photography and I see the term TTL all over the place. What does it mean? And how do I use it to make my pictures better?
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How can I calculate the effect of non-TTL flash on exposure?
I recently got an old Canon AE-1 film camera back in working order. I'd like to use my modern 430EXII Speedlight flash with it, however since there is no TTL metering, I have no idea how much the ...
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What is second-curtain or rear-curtain technique?
I have a Nikon D80 I seem to remember having read somewhere that it should be possible to take photos in it using something called a second curtain technique. My question is does anybody know if this ...
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Are small on-flash softboxes useful, or a gimmick?
There are a number of "mini-softbox" products on the market. These are meant to mount on a hotshoe flash (usually with an elastic band).
Lumiquest Softbox III
Are these worthwhile portable and ...
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Which cameras can sync at faster than 1/250?
I am told that certain (mostly older) DSLRs can sync (i.e. successfully work with flash) at shutter speeds faster than 1/250 of a second.
Which makes / models can do this?
Update
Thank you for ...
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2answers
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Why do I get horizontal grey bar with flash at shutter speeds slower than max sync speed?
I'm a total newbie to flash photography, and I am just trying to do some test shooting with Canon Speedlite 580 EXII using my 7D.
I saw on the user manual that the maximum sync speed is 1/250 sec.
...
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7answers
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Is it acceptable in photography to never use flash?
I was hanging out with a friend of mine who is a professional photographer (for 15+ years), and has a solid portfolio, web-presence, and regional and national exposure.
He never uses a flash. ...
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3answers
479 views
How to Avoid Red-Eye in Photos?
Although tools exist to remove red-eye in post-production, what's the best way to avoid it while creating the photograph in the field?
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7answers
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What does it mean to “kill the ambient”?
I have heard of a technique called "killing the ambient" in flash photography. What does it mean and how do I do it? This similar existing post I believe is separate enough to warrant this question - ...
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3answers
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Is camera flash actually harmful to infants or newborns?
I just got a new off-camera flash, and the instruction manual says:
Never fire the flash unit closer than 1 meter from infants.
This was a little startling to me, since one of the main reasons I ...
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Advantages of TTL over manual mode when using speedlites
Yesterday a user on stackexchange asked me why do I prefer manual over TTL when working with speedlites. I use them mostly off-camera and I've developed a kind of a workflow where I do not walk back ...
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Why do flashes make a whistling sound when recycling?
When recycling, some flashes make a whistling sound, going from low to high frequency for a few seconds. After a more intensive flash, the sound is more intense as well.
What is the source of this ...
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4answers
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What can I expect in upgrading from built in flash to using a speedlight?
In pursuit of my low light photography passion I an considering purchasing a speed light. because I am so new to photography I am unsure of what the results will be using a speed light flash instead ...
9
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4answers
4k views
What is the best external flash for Nikon beginner?
I have read a lot about the SB-800/SB-900 but I am on a low budget (around ~120$). Is there an external flash that I can have to start learning to use it? I do not want absolutely TTL compatibility so ...
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2answers
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How do I manually calculate fill flash?
My main flash is a Nikon SB-24, used on a Nikon D200. Hence, iTTL doesn't work. I've had no issues using A-mode (the thyristor in the flash determines flash output) or M-mode (manual on the flash) ...
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Why is the D7000 commander mode flash firing during exposure when the manual says it won't?
I'm wondering if I'm using the D7000's Commander mode incorrectly. Page 225 of the Nikon D7000 manual says
The built-in flash does not fire [in "--" Option], although remote flash units do.
Yet ...
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1answer
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Can using an old flash damage a new DSLR?
I have been using my dad's old Metz mecablitz 18 B1 flash for a while with my Canon 7D and had no trouble with it, but just received some advice from a friend that using old flashes can fry the ...
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What will I be missing with Vivitar 285HV vs. LumoPro LP160 or Canon 580EX?
I'm planning to get a hotshoe flash soon (I currently only have the onboard), and I have narrowed my choice down to several options, but I'm having a hard time deciding which way to go.
ETTL
This is ...
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Can i use my old Canon Speedlite 2777T with my new 5D Mark II
Actually it's my dad's lens that he bought many many moons ago to use with his old Canon T70. I dont have a flash but have borrowed his to try out, but he mentioned that some flashes will send too ...
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2answers
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Why is there a preflash from a built-in flash when using remote flash only?
When using Nikon D7000 with an off-camera SB600 (which cannot be used as commander) in TTL mode, the built-in flash must be opened to make it work (to serve as a commander), even if this built-in ...
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1answer
756 views
What third party Speedlites work best with Canon?
I am currently picking out a flash (speedlite) for Canon XSI. There is a number of third party flashes available from manufacturers other than Canon. They all claim to be Canon compatible but I have ...
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4answers
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Why is manual flash at the lowest power stronger than the TTL result?
I have a 500D with the 430EX II flashgun. I've taken two pictures with the camera in manual mode, one with the flash in ETTL mode and then in manual mode with the power to 1/64 and the flash exposure ...
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3answers
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What are the most important factors that need to be kept in mind while purchasing a manual flash gun?
What are the most important factors that need to be kept in mind while purchasing a manual flash gun?
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4answers
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How can I get proper flash exposure in AV mode without using ETTL?
I have a Canon 5D Mark II and normally shoot with natural light (I try to stay away from flash). However, I am taking on more situations where I need to use my hotshoe flash (Canon Speedlite 580 EX ...
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How to get good results with the built-in popup flash?
How can I take good pictures using the built-in popup flash of my camera?
Usually I try to use available light only but sometimes there's just isn't enough light for proper exposure (at a reasonable ...
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3answers
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Low budget entry level Speedlite?
Owning a cheap Canon 20D, I now want to buy an entry level speedlight/external flash but I'm confused with
should i go for used or new the one while considering my low budget(150$ max).
What things ...
13
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3answers
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What was my flash power?
When I am using a Canon flash in the E-TTL mode, how can I tell which flash power the E-TTL magic chose?
For example, if I got a correct exposure in the E-TTL mode, can I easily choose the same flash ...
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How do I reduce the light from the pop-up flash as a wireless controller on a Canon 7D?
What are the best work-arounds out there for dealing with the built-in flash when trying to use the Wireless Flash feature of the 7D?
Is there a Canon version of the SG-3IR? Or do you use a modified ...
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6answers
987 views
Why is the Fluorescent filter for a flash green?
I just bought a Nikon SB-910 speedlight.
The filter that comes with it to use under fluorescent lighting it green, why is this? because certainly to my eye there is not a hint of green under normal ...
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3answers
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Why is it important to move the flash away from the camera?
I've read that it's not the quality of your camera, but the quality of the lighting that make pictures really good. That is probably not always true, though - there are many crappy cameras out there. ...
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4answers
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Why do we use flash in photography?
Why do we use flashes in photography, instead of simple light bulbs etc. to illuminate the scene? Why are specially made flashes used?
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9answers
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How do I take a portrait at night with detail in the background instead of just blackness?
I was trying to make a photo of my girlfriend around 9 pm with a D7000, Sigma 24-70 2.8, and SB-900. She was in the center of the frame, taking up about 20% of the frame. About 40% was taken up by ...
11
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3answers
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Does a flash work well with regular alkaline batteries?
In doing research prior to purchasing my first flash for my DSLR system I have come across a wealth of information, including this post that outlined many great points in selecting the best ...
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2answers
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How would one remove yellow eyes instead of red eyes?
On a recent trip to Madagascar, we were able to capture some interesting animals during the night, where of course we used flash. The following photo is not made by me...
...
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3answers
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Group shots on a bright sunny day?
What are some techniques for getting good group pictures (3-8 people, say) on a bright sunny day?
I've found shade to be difficult, because someone will invariably have a splash of harsh sun across ...
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votes
4answers
555 views
How limiting are the line-of-sight requirements of Canon's optical wireless flash system?
I have a Canon 7D and 580EX II Speedlite, and am trying to make the jump into flash photography, particularly portrait work. I understand that the 7D's wireless trigger works by line-of-sight. Will ...
7
votes
4answers
269 views
How do I start using a hotshoe flash?
I've just been given a Sigma EF-500 DG ST flash unit. I've not really had much experience using flash. How can I get started? Are there any good learning resources?
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1answer
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Why does the camera default to ISO 400 in auto ISO mode with flash?
I've observed this behaviour on my Canon 550D, and I was wondering why it didn't use a lower or even variable ISO. I'm not sure if this is a camera/brand specific setting.
Is there any particular ...
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4answers
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Does adding additional strobes cumulatively add to the flash power?
I've been reading articles that talk about using multiple strobes next to each other, all pointing in the same direction: as a means to add more light over what one flash can do.
Does the addition of ...
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8answers
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Ways to soften an onboard flash?
What can be done to soften the direct light from an onboard flash? I know there are diffusers available for external flash units, but I'm not aware of such a solution for an onboard flash, such as on ...
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5answers
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When and why should I consider buying a speedlight/external flash?
I am just a hobbyist in photography. And I do not have specific interest areas (as of now). So while looking for different things to try with photography, I kept coming across things which require use ...
