Using Flash Outdoors

[Richard Crowe]

I am a strong proponent of using flash outdoors because it will often provide a better image by filling in shadows and drawing attention to your subject.  It is really quite simple to do this and is especially simple with the Canon series of DSLR cameras.  Here is an excellent video regarding how to shoot in manual exposure with flash outdoors using any brand of camera and how to adjust your flash fill and background with Canon DSLR cameras using Aperture priority outdoors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUbus-TArmE&feature=g-vrec&...

The one caveat is that you need to be relatively close to your subject because hotshoe flashes do not have a tremendous amount of power and cannot light your subject from a long distance outdoors...

BTW:  Even though the flash doesn't have enough power to illuminate the subject from a longer distance, it will often put catchlights in the eyes of the subject from a greater distance than it can light the subject.  Catchlights can make make the eyes of our Doodles look alive...

 

 

[Dori & Rua]

Thanks, Richard.  I will do a bit of experimenting.  I will ask my favorite subject if she would be willing to help me out!  :-)  I do have a soft light box that I just got on New Year's Day, so I will also use that so I can move further away from my "subject"!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Richard.  I've never thought about using flash outside.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Ditto to that - Will have to try it next photo expedition!

[Linda and "Toby"]

When I shoot outdoors in areas where there is a mixture of bright sunlight and heavy shadows, I will often use my flash to control the lighting on my subject. I must say that you have really mastered the use of a flash!

[Ann Kendig]

I have shot with a hot shoe flash outside and have gotten some good results and found as you mentioned the hot shoe flash is limited in range but really did not think about at long distances you still get the catch light. I studied some photos of Sheba and Duke looking specifically at the focus distance with respect to flash.

Duke with no fill flash eyes draw to the bright snow covered mountains and not Duke.

Fill flash used at 9ft from Duke and Duke is illuminated and nice catch light in the eyes.

Shot of Sheba on overcast day at 16ft. flash does not do a whole lot for Sheba but does produce catch light in eyes.

Mike