Everything is Illuminated - Understanding Flash modes
Everything is Illuminated - Understanding Flash modes
Everything is Illuminated - Understanding Flash modes
22 July 2008
Flash has always been about a bright light lighting up the dark, but these days cameras do more than just burst a bright light when you press the shutter. DSLRs and Compact cameras both offer choices in how to use the flash as it’s not enough to just shine a bright light as you take the picture. Flash for a camera is about exposure. Without enough light, the picture will be dark and bland, though too much light might mean the photo is overexposed.
Auto Mode
Pretty self explanatory, the auto mode means the camera decides for you whether to use the flash or not. It bases its decision on exposure values. If it’s dark then the camera will automatically set off the flash. The same holds true for when the shutter speed is very fast and or the ISO is low and the aperture is small. If there is not enough light then the flash is there to compensate for it. It’s not always a good idea to stay on Auto mode, as there are some instances where the camera may not use a flash when it’s needed and others where the flash isn’t a good idea.
Red Eye Reduction
Also called Anti Red-Eye, this mode specifically tries to prevent or reduce red eyes in portraits and group photos. It works by blinking lights which cause the iris of the eyes to constrict, which prevents light bouncing off the blood vessels in the retina which is what causes the freaky red eyes in photos. The only other way to avoid red eyes in photos is to have the flash further up from the camera, but most compacts don’t have that option. The downside to a blinking flash is that it can cause people to blink and look away, and it doesn’t always work if people are looking anywhere other than the camera.
Fill In Flash
Sometimes it’s bright out so the auto flash won’t fire, but the light source is behind your subject which means faces are in the shadows. A fill in flash will light up the subject so the shadows are brightly lit. It’s very useful even at night when there are bright lights behind your subject.
Slow Sync
Sometimes there are small lights or details in a dim situation which will be drowned out with a normal flash. A slow sync flash works with a slower shutter speed but giving the camera enough time to pick up other details such as Christmas lights or distant candles. It does mean that anyone in the frame has to stand still so they don’t cause a blur.
Disabled
Sometimes a flash will overexpose your subject so it loses detail and looks pale. Even if the auto flash insists on coming up sometimes it’s a good idea to disable it all together and let the natural light do the illumination.
