Do I need an external flash for outdoor photography? If you’re a beginner outdoor photographer.
One of your primary concerns is probably whether or not you need an external flash to take great photos.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using an external flash and provide tips on how to get great shots without one.
Do I Need An External Flash For Outdoor Photography?
Most of the time, when shooting outdoors, you don’t need to use a flash.
![Do I Need An External Flash For Outdoor Photography](https://ronspixguide.com/wp-content/uploads/Do-I-Need-An-External-Flash-For-Outdoor-Photography.webp)
You don’t need an external flash for outdoor photography unless you’re shooting in extremely low light or trying to freeze a fast-moving subject.
Although an external flash isn’t always necessary, sometimes there are many benefits to using it.
So, it’s really a matter of personal preference and what you’re trying to achieve with your photography.
When Should You Use A Flash In Outdoors Photography?
You may believe that shooting outside means having enough light and not needing to use the flash.
However, there are times when the sun might be too harsh, or the light might not be diffused enough.
In these cases, using a flash can help to fill in the shadows and provide more even lighting for your subject.
Another time you might want to use a flash in an unflattering light to clean up the light. Harsh sunlight can create deep shadows on your subject’s face.
If you’re shooting a portrait, you may want to use a flash to fill in the shadows and create a more flattering photo.
However, for a striking effect on your subjects, stand out against the backdrop. You may want to use flash to create some backlighting.
When you position your subject in front of a light source, such as the sun, and then use your flash to illuminate them from behind.
This will make them stand out against the background and create a more dramatic photo.
And lastly, if you’re shooting a moving subject, like a bird in flight, using a flash can help to freeze the action and prevent motion blur.
So, while you don’t always need an external flash for outdoor photography, there are times when it can be helpful.
If you’re not sure whether or not to use a flash, err on the side of caution and take some test shots without one first.
Then, if you see that the photo could benefit from a little extra light,
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Ways To Use Flash In Outdoors Photography?
![Ways To Use Flash In Outdoors Photography](https://ronspixguide.com/wp-content/uploads/Ways-To-Use-Flash-In-Outdoors-Photography.webp)
Now that we’ve gone over when you should use a flash for outdoor photography let’s talk about some ways to use it.
Fill Flash
One of the most common ways to use a flash outdoors is a fill flash. This is when you use the flash to fill in the shadows and provide more even lighting for your subject.
To do this, simply turn on your flash and point it at your subject. This will help fill in any shadows created by the sun or other light sources.
Backlighting
As we mentioned earlier, backlighting is when you place your subject in front of a light source, such as the sun, and then illuminate them from behind with your flash.
It offers impressive artistic effects. If you want to do this, position your subject so that the light source is behind them.
Then, please turn on your flash and point it at them from behind.
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Directional Lighting
![Directional Lighting](https://ronspixguide.com/wp-content/uploads/Directional-Lighting.webp)
Directional lighting is another way to use a flash outdoors. This is when you use the flash to illuminate your subject from a specific direction.
This can help to create more interest in your photo and add depth to your subject.
Besides, this approach works best in shady areas, where the sun is not shining directly and brightly.
In the shade, you’ll get a lot of ambient light reflecting off the surroundings, which is far less harsh than direct sunlight but may make your subject appear flat.
To directional light, set your subject up, so they’re in the shade, then turn on your flash and point it at them from a specific angle.
This will help to add depth and dimension to your photo.
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Overpowering The Daylight With Your Flash
If you want to create really dramatic photos, then you can try overpowering the daylight with your flash.
In order to make your subject stand out, you should overexpose them while lightening the environment around them.
High-contrast portraits taken with a wide-angle lens have dark and mysterious backgrounds while the subject significantly pops.
But you will need a very powerful flash to execute this properly.
There are many other ways to use a flash outdoors. These are just a few of the most common.
Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for you and the type of photography you’re trying to achieve.
Keep in mind that using a flash outdoors can be tricky. The key is experimenting and finding what works best for you and your photography.
Technical Things You Need To Know For Using Flash Outdoors Photography
![Technical Things You Need To Know For Using Flash Outdoors Photography](https://ronspixguide.com/wp-content/uploads/Technical-Things-You-Need-To-Know-For-Using-Flash-Outdoors-Photography.webp)
Knowing a few technical things is essential before using a flash outdoors.
Otherwise, if you don’t follow these simple steps, you likely won’t achieve the goals you set out to.
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Sync Speed
It is essential to understand sync speed when using a flash. The fastest shutter speed at which you can use your flash is known as sync speed.
The maximum flash sync speed for most cameras is around 1/200 or 1/250 of a second.
If you use a faster shutter speed, then part of your photo will be exposed to light without the benefit of the flash.
This often leaves photos looking dark in some areas and overexposed in others.
When shooting in bright light, you’ll need a quicker shutter speed to expose the ambient light correctly
(particularly if you want to capture portraits with a shallow depth of field).
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High-Speed Sync
![High-Speed Sync](https://ronspixguide.com/wp-content/uploads/High-Speed-Sync.webp)
High-speed sync is a feature that allows you to use a flash at shutter speeds faster than the maximum sync speed.
This can be useful in very bright light when you want to use a fast shutter speed and still use the flash to illuminate your subject.
The disadvantage is that HSS emits less light with the same amount of electricity. As a result, to perform anything that overpowers the sun, you’ll need intense light.
Balancing The Light
Outdoors, you’ll need to balance the light from the sun with the light from your flash. If you don’t do this, your photo will either be too dark or too bright.
The easiest way to balance the light is to use exposure compensation. This feature on your camera allows you to make the photo brighter or darker.
For example, if you’re taking a photo of a person in the shade with a bright background, you’ll need to use exposure compensation to make the photo brighter.
Conversely, if you’re taking a photo of a person in the sun with a dark background, you’ll need to use exposure compensation to make the photo darker.
As you can see, avoiding using a flash outdoors is a good idea unless essential.
So, it’s important to understand the technical aspects of using a flash before you start taking photos.
With practice, you’ll be able to take some amazing photos using a flash outdoors.
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Common Mistakes When Using A Flash Outdoors
![Common Mistakes When Using A Flash Outdoors](https://ronspixguide.com/wp-content/uploads/Common-Mistakes-When-Using-A-Flash-Outdoors.webp)
When using a flash outdoors, it’s essential to avoid common mistakes. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when using a flash outdoors:
- The bottom half of the photo is black, or there’s a large black streak down the center. This is called a shadow or vignetting. It’s caused by the flash not being powerful enough to reach the bottom of the photo.
- The pictured subject looks overly flashed, or there’s a halo around the subject. This is called overexposure. It’s caused by the flash being too powerful or using HSS (high-speed sync).
- Photo is underexposed, and the background is too bright. It happens when not using enough power on the flash or by not using exposure compensation.
- Harsh flat lighting on the subject. It is caused by the light being too direct. You can use a diffuser or bounce the flash off a nearby wall or ceiling to fix this.
- Red eyes on the picture. This is caused by the light from the flash reflecting off the blood vessels in the eye. You can fix this using red-eye reduction mode on your flash or camera.
- A large black nothingness lies in the background. This is called a black hole. It’s caused by the flash not being powerful enough to reach the background.
Now that you know some of the most common mistakes people make when using a flash outdoors, you can avoid them and take amazing photos.
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Final Thoughts
In summary, using a flash outdoors is possible, but it’s not always necessary.
You can take some amazing photos if you understand the technical aspects of using a flash and practice.
After reading this article, you should understand when to use a flash outdoors and how to avoid common mistakes.