Flash Nazi

thebaz

After getting a few photos slated for flash, i have become a flash nazi, and pretty much disabled my internal flash , and never carry my external flash , so rely now on upping ISO , am i being too extreme ? ... got a nice opportunity to go into Noctor's pub tonight in Sherriff street , used no flash and there was poor lighting inside , ended up having to delete a few of the shots , and below is what is left . Does the no flash add to the ambience or should i have used the internal flash ?

RCNPhotos

Some fill in would be nice, although with a flash people can tend to be a bit wary as well so without they might be more relaxed. The first shot is a little blurry, flash could have perhaps cleared this up. It all depends on the situation, but don't cut flash out altogether.

Eirebear

I try not to use flash simply because i tend not to be very good at it!
what i will say is the first one could have been a really good shot if you HAD used flash in order to freeze the fella's expression, the second one doesnt really do anything for me either way, but i dont think flash would have improved it.

Use flash sparingly i reckon is the answer!

Borderfox

What lens are you using Barry? something like a f1.4 would be ideal in this circumstance. Your probably using one, but if not always try to go one stop more iso than you are comfortable with. I have used ISO 3200 with a 30d for pictures going to print and overexposed them by 2/3rds of a stop and brought them back fine.

Roen

It's the one source of light you have full control over. Why ditch it?

run_Forrest_run

Personally I love my SB600 speedlight so I happily use flash. Just the ability to bounce the flash creates nice warm colours.

magicbastarder

i don't own a flash, bar the built in one on my DSLR.

Stephen

I only bought a flash because my built in one went kaput

It is far, far superior to the built-in one though!

Fajitas!

Roen wrote:

It's the one source of light you have full control over. Why ditch it?

I'm gonna agree with this. I've gotten very comfortable with flash of late.

But then again, I also like my fast glass.

If I were shooting the above, I would have underexposed but a lot more. Or if I had a flashgun, I would have bounced at a tight angle above me, back down.

thebaz

ok lesson learnt , the flash will be used again !!
I'm not mad on the second one myself, just pissed off i had to dump a load of nice original shots due to blur . I was using the 50 mm f1.8 at 800 iso , not eneogh , i might start using the on-board flash , save me carrying the external one -- dread going back to the pub , with my tail between my legs

Fajitas!

Bring the flashgun.

thebaz

Fajitas! wrote:

Bring the flashgun.

if they let me in again

Stephen

Maybe its time to pony up for the 50mm f1.4!

thebaz

Stephen wrote:

Maybe its time to pony up for the 50mm f1.4!

i just got the 50 f1.8, which i'm still get used to -- its the only lens i currently have -- my next purchase which i'm saving for is the 18 - 200 IS lens -- one day i'll be rich

sineadw

What's teh Nikon like at higher iso? I tend to have to shoot at 1600 with the 1.8. Personally I wouldn't use the built-in flash, but that's more because I don't know how to use it effectively yet. Or any flash for that matter.

Paulw

Nikon isn't nearly as good as Canon for the higher ISO.

I think the built in flash is ok, but I certainly wouldn't depend on it for important photos. It is too directional and fixed. At least with an attached flash, you can bounce the light, rather than blind someone.

thebaz

i think as Al suggested , i'll just have to carry my external flash -- hate returning to the pub , as the spontainety is gone -- i also like to travel light , my camera and the 50 is pretty portable

Whilest i'm not mad on the 2nd one , the lighting and focus seam ok , but thats cause of the light from the window i think .
The back of the bar was kind of musty yellow and darkish , so i should have used a flash , yer man at the is the best of the lot , pity i had to scrap the rest

magicbastarder

i loathe flashes in pubs.

thebaz

magicbastarder wrote:

i loathe flashes in pubs.

is that when your drinking there as a customer, or just the light it gives ??

magicbastarder

mainly from column a.

elven

You can get a little white plastic scoop thing to fit over the 350D onboard flash - or if you're desperate and prepared to look a bit strange, fashion one out of some foil backed paper or the likes - just to reflect it up the way and diffuse it a little. A flashgun that points upwards is a thing sent from heaven though. Also fun combining flash (rear curtain) with longer exposures to get the ambient light in there too...

thebaz

elven wrote:

You can get a little white plastic scoop thing to fit over the 350D onboard flash - or if you're desperate and prepared to look a bit strange, fashion one out of some foil backed paper or the likes - just to reflect it up the way and diffuse it a little. A flashgun that points upwards is a thing sent from heaven though. Also fun combining flash (rear curtain) with longer exposures to get the ambient light in there too...

yep , i'm going to dust down my external flash , and one day return to Noctor's , i'll get some slagging from the punters !

Borderfox

Give me a shout and I will give you a loan of the Sigma 30mm F1.4 I have, lovely bit of glass but I dont use it most weekends so its sitting around.