Using Flash - How to Make it Look Good
The aim is to make flash look like natural light at its best
Flash on Camera can produce a harsh Look. Most people avoid using flash because it makes their photos look flat, have harsh shadows, loose details in the whites & many more horrible effects! Is this what you find? One of the reasons for this is from not using the available adjustments while the other is the inflexibility of where the flash is mounted.
The main culprit is the small flash on your camera or even an expensive external flash that fits on your hot shoe but not used correctly. The flash is in a fixed place and you can't move it to a better position to make the light more aesthetic.
To improve the light of the flash, use the flash adjustment in your camera. You have a +/- control to make your flash brighter or duller. This can stop or reduce the over exposure of the whites that often happens (not so bad with the add on flash). With the add on flash, if it has the ability to point the head upwards, you can bounce the light off the ceiling or another white object to soften the light or change its angle. When you change the angle you have the ability to create an interesting angle of light. However, you are still restricted to the flash being on the camera.
A 2nd flash unit with a wireless control to your camera, is the best fix. You can then hold or put the flash on a stand at an angle to the subject, creating a pleasant lighting effect. A further light can be used as a backlight for a different effect. You need to control the strength of each flash so that you have a main light and a reduced power light. This stops harsh shadows but allows soft shadows to show shape of the subject. You can also use flash diffusers - fabric or other white filters to further soften the light.
A slow shutter speed is to allow the ambient light (light around your subject) to be recorded to stop the hard black backgrounds. Change your flash settings to slow shutter sync. so that the shutter speed can record a normal exposure - then the flash can highlight your subject. This is good for dull light, night light or inside when you want the view through the window to be exposed properly. You will probably need to use a tripod!
LED lights can do this as well, now that they are getting stronger, good colour and cheaper. The benefit is you can see where the light goes. They may not be quite as strong as a flash so you might not be able to have small apertures at a long distance. The initial cost is lower too.
This is only an overview. It needs considerable study and practice to master the use of flash light. Don't be put off though, start with a simple set up and practice and then experiment.
