How To Use Camera Flash: Easy Tips

Know your Settings

For beginners (or even those who are more experienced in flash photography), setting up your camera is essential. Before we discuss some of the tips on how to use a camera flash, set up your camera following the settings below. As a starting point… 

• Manual Mode
• Aperture – f8
• Shutter speed – 1/200
• ISO – 200
• Flash power – 1/16

If you’re done setting up, take a shot so you can easily adjust the exposure according to your first image. If the image looks too dark, slow down the shutter, or you can widen the aperture. If your image subject looks too bright, then drop the flash power. You can tweak some combinations to create that perfect shot you desire. Try some experiment and have fun with it.

Easy Tips & Tricks on How To Use Camera Flash

• Fill-in Flash
  One of the easiest ways to shoot excellent images when outdoors, and shadows are falling over your subject is to use a fill flash. It’s self-explanatory, but it brightens the shadow spaces by filling in those parts with a little flash. Just turn on your flash when you’re outside and let the camera do the rest. If it is your first time, you will be amazed at how it dramatically improves your photos. If you are not sure how to use it, you can check your camera’s manual. Most cameras let you control your flash. Some even allow you to control the flash power when filling in.
• Use a Diffuser
  A diffuser cuts down the flash’s harshness, and it softens up the light on the subject and presents a far more pleasing image.
  All externally mounted flash is compatible with a diffuser, and most DSLRs enable a diffuser to be placed or mounted on the pop-up flash. It may take some time to discover one for your compact camera, but they’re available. Diffusers are cheap, but they give excellent results. You can do it at home by cutting out a piece of a milk carton and connecting it to the flash using an elastic band. They are available in most camera stores online at an excellent price. Once you start shooting with this one, you will be hooked and won’t look back.
• Bouncing your flash
  If you are using an externally mounted flash unit, you will also find that the flash’s harsh light degrades your images. The way to solve this problem is quite easy. Most external flashes have built-in swivel heads that allow you to modify the angle of the flash head. It also diffuses the flash’s harshness by pointing up towards the ceiling and bouncing the light off. There’s just one little issue that may prevent this technique: the color of the ceiling. If the ceiling isn’t white, the flash will tint the scene below with the ceiling color. So, try it out first before shooting to see whether it works for you. A wooden ceiling at times adds warmth to the picture, which is quite pleasant.
• Off-Camera Flash
  This is the only way to shoot fantastic flash photos if you do not use a diffuser or bounce the flash. It is reasonably priced, and it helps improve your images. By mounting the flash in the hot cable shoe and holding it somewhat off to your camera’s left or right, it prevents the on-camera flash’s harsh lighting. You can install it on a tripod next to the camera or invest in a mounting bracket that fits underneath your camera and mounts the camera’s flash.

Conclusion

Flash photography is not as challenging as it seems. Of course, there will be challenges when you are just starting to learn how to use the camera flash. There may also be a little bit of theory to learn and memorize by heart, but much can be comprehended through a trial and error approach. When shooting photos using a flash, you will need some experiment until you are comfy enough with various techniques. The results might amaze you and will add significant growth to your photography. Plus, it’s also a lot of fun experimenting. You can expand your creativity with endless combinations, and don’t forget to have fun with it and let it lead you to a whole new photographic journey. Find out more about camera flash.