Useful Camera Flash Tips

To Flash or Not to Flash?

Chances are your camera has a built-in flash. It's that white, square thing on the front that sends out a bright flash of light when you take a photo. At times it can be helpful, but other times can turn the people you are photographing into demonic, red-eyed monsters. When to use the flash on your camera and when to turn it off is a difficult question. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Automatic Mode
Most cameras come with an automatic mode. The processor inside the camera decides the correct exposure for photographs, and if the flash should be used. Often there is an “always on” option for the flash. Until you know the effects of your camera's flash unit leave it set on automatic mode. The camera, most of the time (if you're a beginner), is smarter than you. In a rushed situation let the computer inside do the thinking.

Know the Range
A tiny camera flash isn't going to illuminate the entire inside of the Roman Coliseum. Flashes on compact cameras have an effective range of 10-15 feet. Beyond that, they are of little use. If you can't get close enough to use your flash consider using a slower shutter speed and a tripod to get the shot.

Red Eye
In the photograph of Grandma's birthday party she has wild, red eyes staring out of her otherwise benevolent face. Why? The red eye effect is caused by the light from the flash reflecting off the blood vessels in your subject's eyes. The darker the room the more pronounced the effect. Most cameras now ship with a red eye reduction setting. This function fires a number of pre-flashes before the photo is taken to adjust the subject's eyes. The drawback is that after seeing the first pre-flash Grandma might start eating her birthday cake before the actual photo is taken. Tell the people you photograph to stay still until all the flashes have gone off.