Flash Photography and Canon Digital Cameras: Part One
Using a flash to take pictures make seem like just a point and shoot thing for most people. However, to master the technique of good photo taking with a flash require mastering some skills. This is due to the fact that flash photography works in micro seconds and our eyes cannot distinguish the differences within that short period of time. In addition, we are also not able to see the flash working as we are looking through the viewfinder of the camera. Here in this guide, we will show you how with 5 simple tips you can achieve better flash photographic techniques.
External Flash versus the Canon Internal Flash unit.
Depending on your requirements, taking simple snapshots with the Canon camera internal flash is usually more than adequate if the subject matter is not far away like in a party situation. The internal flash is not very powerful ands the light produced by the flash is very harsh. However, in most cases people do not mind as the conveniences of the internal flash override the requirement of the need for an external flash. However for a more professional setting, you will need external flash as the light from an internal flash is very harsh. External flash allows you to bounce off light off the wall thus softening it.
Compatibility of Old flash Units with the New Canon EOS digital camera.
To see if you old flash unit can work with the Canon new EOS digital camera, you will need to check if the Speedlite flash units ends with the letters “EX” behind its model designation. Only this model will be able to work with the new EOS digital camera. Those models with “E” or “EZ” model designations at the end will not be compatible with the new EOS digital cameras. Flash units from third party will need to support E-TTL flash metering system in order for it to work with Canon digital cameras.
Why internal flash produces lower quality photographs.
Natural looking soft light comes from a large area. As such an internal flash unit cannot replicate soft light as in the real world. This is because the flash unit is located near the lens of the camera and only illuminates a small area. To get around this problem, what you can do is to bounce light off the wall onto the subject in order to soften the light. This way you can get a more natural looking picture when you illuminate it with soft light. On the other hand, you can also use a diffuser to diffuse the light so that you also achieve the same result.
Red eye effect of Flash photography
The most common problem when using internal flash to take a picture is the problem of “Red Eyes”. This happens because the red blood vessels lining the retina of the eyes reflect back the flash light back into the camera resulting in the subject eyes glowing red in the photos. Taking pictures of animal also produces a related problem but this call the “Green eye” effect because of the color pigment of the animal’s eyes. When you use an external flash, you will be able to avoid all these problems.
Optimal photos taking in Rapid succession.
After a flash unit has fire off its light, it will require some time to charge up. Therefore if you keep taking pictures is rapid succession you have to make sure that the flash unit is the “Rapid Fire” type. This just means that the flash will work even though it has not reach it full charge. Don’t forget also that the batteries play a part in the ability of the flash unit to charge quickly too.
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