How to use external flash?

Mothers who click regularly will agree how annoying using flash is sometimes. The built-in flashes in cameras, whether they are point-and-shoot or DSLRs, can sometimes ruin photos with their blinding burst of light.

One very simple method of rectifying this flaw is by using an external flash. This is in addition to, or a replacement of the built-in flash in your camera. An external flash will help in lighting the subject from different angles and will give fabulous results.

1. Which external flash is to be used, depends mainly of what kind of photography you are into – Macro photography or portraiture. Macro photography is generally close-up or blowing up tiny subjects to life-size grandeur. Portraiture is where expression of the face is the highlight of the frame. Mothers generally go for portraiture or landscape photography and so, it is better to use a simple mounted external flash.

2. To prevent hot spots – which are bright spots on the faces of your kids or family members in an image where flash has been used – use a diffuser or light modifier, which softens the light falling on the subject.

3. You will have to adjust the shutter speed and exposure of your camera if you are using external flash during shooting. For example, if the shutter is open too long but the flash dies out after doing it’s work in an instant, then the quality of your photo can be compromised.

4. ISO can also be adjusted to keep shutter speeds and/or aperture values within the range that satisfies your photographic intentions for a particular situation.

5. Aperture is also a factor affecting flash power level and exposure – in addition to ISO and subject distance.