Join Ben Long for an in-depth discussion in this video Using fill flash in auto and program modes, part of Photography Foundations: Flash (2013).
In auto mode your camera will automatically decide…if you need to use the flash or not.…If it thinks you do it will activate the flash power…it up and calculate how much flash to add to your scene.…On a lot of cameras though if you don't want flash…and you're shooting in auto mode then you're simply out of luck.…On those cameras the only way to not have flash In that situation is to switch…out of auto mode, other cameras offer a…special flash off setting when they're in auto mode.…On most cameras program mode works just like auto…mode, but you have to activate the flash yourself.…
In other words, program mode gives you the option…of whether or not you want to use the flash.…If you do want it You have to activate it on your own.…When you have TTL mode activated on your flash, and your camera is in…Auto or Program mode, the camera and flash make decisions in a very particular way.…If the camera meters and finds that your scene…has a lot of light in it, a bright outdoor…scene for example.…Then the camera will assume that you want fill flash.…
Author
Ben Long
Released
12/13/2013Fortunately, it isn't difficult to get great results from flash, and in this course, photographer, author, and teacher Ben Long details the concepts and techniques behind effective lighting with flash. Ben starts with fundamentals that build on exposure principles taught in other installments of Foundations of Photography—simple techniques that improve the results from a camera's built-in flash. He then focuses on fill flash techniques and on using flash as a key light. The course also explores topics ranging from bouncing and syncing flash to shooting with one or more off-camera flash units.
- How flash works
- Balancing ambient light and flash
- Understanding flash ranges and modes
- When to use fill flash
- Using an external flash
- Bouncing flash to improve light
- Building up multiple flash images
- Purchasing a flash
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 31s
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1. Flash Fundamentals
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Exposure revisited2m 22s
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How flash works2m 12s
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Understanding flash range2m 47s
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Understanding flash modes5m 16s
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Flash sync options3m 2s
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2. Fill Flash to Balance Exposure
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When to use fill flash1m 39s
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3. Flash as a Key Light
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Why use an external flash?3m 34s
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Flash zoom1m 45s
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Taking the flash off camera5m 35s
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Using a softbox5m 3s
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Flash and white balance1m 7s
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4. Advanced Flash Scenarios
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Using slow sync with flash8m 50s
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Rear-curtain sync11m 53s
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Working with manual flash10m 44s
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5. Shooting with Multiple Flash Units
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6. Considerations for Purchasing a Flash
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Guide number considerations3m 13s
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Shopping recommendations3m 10s
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Conclusion
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Next steps42s
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Video: Using fill flash in auto and program modes