Digital Photographers' Newsletter

February 2012 Edition

This months summary

• Using Fill-flash in daylight images.
• Recent website added to environmental photography links page giving you world coverage of images linked to google maps for location identification.
• TIP for Digital Photographers " How to Use your new digital Camera" - now available by email request
• Library Seminar 6pm-7.45pm Thursday 16 February

Using Fill-flash in Daylight Images

Although it may seem strange to others who are not photographers, one of the best uses of your flash is during bright sunlight!

A flash helps to eliminate dark shadows (for instance under the eyes and chin of faces) on your subject. Fewer shadows means your subject has more detail overall. Although your eye can see your subject's smile when the sun is behind them, your camera cannot. The flash will fill-in your subject's face so the camera can see the smile also.

This image was taken without a flash:

The following image shows how much brighter the image is with fill-in flash.

This does not just apply to taking pictures of your friends. Anything you photograph will look better when it does not have strong shadows.

Professional wedding photographers use flashes when taking images of weddings whether in doors or outdoors, even in midday sunlight. The flash fill-in outside removes the shadows and darker shadows around the eyes and lifts the facial features. You can apply the same techniques for all your images and get images with much more impact in regard to exposure and brightness.

Most modern day compact and digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras will fill-flash automatically. However you, as the photographer, need to be warry in using it.

Be aware when using fill-flash in daylight: The brighter the sunlight from behind your subject, the stronger flash you’ll need to light up the shadows.

That’s because your camera automatically picks a faster shutter speed to avoid turning the entire photo white (also known as overexposure). Fill-flash mode is for moderate backlighting, and other settings help to compensate for other light imbalances.

For intense backlighting you will need to use different regions of yor image to set the exposure meter to get best 'balance' of the fill-flash. Experience is a valuable tool here - experiment with your camera settings, particularly where you measure the image exposure.

For soft lighting subjects you can alternatively use a light diffuser: Flash is a direct and bright light that shines on your subject for a split second. Consider using a diffuser in these circumstances.

What is a flash diffuser? It’s anything you place in front of your flash to spread out the light and make it less intense or use to soften the natural light. Clouds are a natural diffuser for sunlight. Diffused light is shadowless.

You can use any transparent white membrane such as white sheets or other material, either between the natural light source or in front of flash light.

Tip: If you have an external flash (separate flash which is off your camera) you are able to bounce it off a reflective surface. This is another way of diffusing the flash, and it’s a favorite among professional photographers. The light that comes back from the bounce is even more diffuse than from using a sheet of cotton or some other fabric as a diffuser between your subject and the light source (natural or flash).

Photographs from around the world

Florencio Martin has developed a website showing a collection of photos of every city in the world, pictures of landscapes and most beautiful monuments all over the world with its people and customs. The best photos taken by tourists on their travels.

An amazing collection of photographs which will interest all photographers and particularly travel photographers.

Photographers familiar with the SE Queensland region will be taken by the colouring and lighting in this image of the Scarborough cliffs.

photo by prophoto 2008