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The breadmakers sequence (shot in a dark alley in Urumqi in far Northwestern China) was shot in gloomy darkness. I had not expected to need a flash as I wandered the streets - but without one here i would have needed exposures of many seconds and some photos would not have worked at all. Full studio lighting, two lovely assistants to hold reflectors, snooted studio flashes etc would perhaps have given a better photographic result - but probably not - the popup flash probably gives a better atmosphere than anything "superior".

Uighur breadmaker, Urumqi
Light level is consistent with Sony 5D popup flash
Increased evenness of light would have detracted from result.
Much higher resolution version here

The bread makers sequence (shot in a dark alley in Urumqi in far Northwestern China) was shot in gloomy darkness. I had not expected to need a flash as I wandered the streets - but without one here I would have needed exposures of many seconds and some photos would not have worked at all. Full studio lighting, two lovely assistants to hold reflectors, snooted studio flashes etc would perhaps have given a better photographic result - but probably not - the popup flash probably gives a better atmosphere than anything "superior".

Uighur bread maker, Urumqi
Light level is consistent with Sony 5D popup flash
Increased evenness of light would have detracted from result.
Much higher resolution version here

I tend towards what is termed "street photography" in the course of everyday life. Th camera usually mounts a wide range walk-around lens, and a 50 mm and 500mm are my near constant companions. As is a 56 guide number tilt and swivel flash with "high speed sync" (allows high shutter speed sync) ... . I avoid using flash if at all possible - but if I do need it most of the time I'll use the popup while the "real flash" stays on my hip. Wedding / function / party - the 'real' flash gets most use, but even there the popup can be useful.

I tend towards what is termed "street photography" in the course of everyday life. Th camera usually mounts a wide range walk-around lens, and a 50 mm and 500 mm are my near constant companions. As is a 56 guide number tilt and swivel flash with "high speed sync" (allows high shutter speed sync) ... . I avoid using flash if at all possible - but if I do need it most of the time I'll use the popup while the "real flash" stays on my hip. Wedding / function / party - the 'real' flash gets most use, but even there the popup can be useful.

If necessary you can use a sheet of paper or a (clean ideally) handerkerchief to diffuse light. You can make a foldable light reflector which fits in a shirt pocket and provides a wide area of reduced intensity illumination.

Shadow fill on faces in unavoidable sunlit conditions immensely improves impromptu portraits. If you cant move the sun or the landscape then shadow filling the faces can be an excellent 3rd choice.

Here's a DIY model using vacuum bag material - but you could do similar on the fly wity many materials and a paper clip of few. With and without examples given.

Looks wierd - has some bounce component - may even work. Or not.

If necessary you can use a sheet of paper or a (clean ideally) handkerchief to diffuse light. You can make a foldable light reflector which fits in a shirt pocket and provides a wide area of reduced intensity illumination.

Shadow fill on faces in unavoidable sunlit conditions immensely improves impromptu portraits. If you can't move the sun or the landscape then shadow filling the faces can be an excellent 3rd choice.

Here's a DIY model using vacuum bag material - but you could do similar on the fly with many materials and a paper clip of few. With and without examples given.

Looks weird - has some bounce component - may even work. Or not.