Some of my best pictures are the ones I took without using a flash. Not to say there isn’t a very important place for a flash – and I’ll get to that – but natural light can result in amazing results. Here are some of my favorites:
The lighting in these photos is gentle and even. None of the subjects have to squint, and nothing is overexposed. I took all of these photos during the “magic hour,” aka, the hour before the sun sets. The other magic hour is right after the sun rises, which HA HA HA I’m never awake then.
You don’t always want to follow your camera’s instincts – often in this lighting situation, your camera will want to use the flash. So, be sure to switch off the flash. OR, if you’re uncertain, take two pictures, one with the flash, and one without.
So when SHOULD you use a flash? You actually might want to use a flash in the middle of the day. The light is harsh, which makes the shadows deeper. Using your flash will fill in shadows on faces for better results.
non-flash:
flash:
My condo doesn’t have much natural light, so I have to use a flash for good results inside. I have an external flash that allows me to bounce the light off the ceiling, giving the effect of better lighting. But external flashes are expensive (I got mine on holy moly mega going out of business super sale at Circuit City a few years ago) so using the natural light around you is always a better (and cheaper!) option!
So, go out this weekend, and take lots of natural light pictures! You won’t be sorry, I promise.
As always, if you want to share your pictures (like your flash vs. no-flash shots) upload them to the TSAM Photo Fun Flickr group so we can compliment and learn from each other (If you don’t have a flickr account, just link to your photos in the comments).
Want more lighting tips? You can find them here thanks to HP, my awesome photo partners.
Next week, tips on how to photograph babies. AWWWWWWWWW.
You can find last week’s photo tips here.
Zoey says:
I have a question. Whenever I try to use no flash on my canon eos digital, I always seem to take the blurriest pictures. Does that happen to anyone else, or is it just my shaky hands? Are there any ways to avoid those non-flash blurry pictures? Thanks! I’ll work on it this weekend, and upload if I get a good one!
Heather says:
Check your user manual on how to change your ISO. My XSI has from 200-1600 range. I use 200-400 when I’m outside and 800-1600 when I’m indoors because I’m photographing fast moving children! The ISO is great when not enough light is hitting your camera’s sensor, it helps add in some of the missing pixels and so creates a less blurry picture.
Also you might want to check out how to change the apeture/shutter speed.
And if you’re shooting in really low light, then yeah, you might want to try grabbing a tripod. But throughout the day the above suggestions should help.
But for the most part… it’s trial and error!! You’ll find what works best for your situation the more you play around with it.
Noelle says:
Zoe, how old is your Rebel? We had a 35 mm one years ago, and the lens is interchangeable with our digital one. But the new digital camera came with a lens that had a stabilizer, which helps tremendously. Just wondering if yours has a stabilizer or not.
Nicole H says:
I love your photo tips! I am trying new things with my camera and feel like I am learning right along with you. I also like how you take the same photo 2 different ways, so we can see the difference. Can’t wait til next week
Rebecca says:
Some of my most favorite photos are the non flash ones too…….when the ‘smart’ on my camera doesn’t cue a flash for whatever reason…………I just need to turn my flash off to get great shots….and a DSLR.
Tina says:
I hate using a flash!! There, I said it! I’ve found that just by “looking for the light” and setting up my camera correctly, I really don’t need to (in most cases) use a flash!
AlthoughI do have an external flash with a softbox.
I am not really a professional photographer. I have never taken a single class… I just happened to have a camera “stuck” to my hands since I was a toddler apparently…
You can see some of my photos here:
http://smilepleasephotography.blogspot.com
The two little boys, are my (former) preemie twin sons. John is the slimmer of the two, and he has “the preemie look” and the preemie issues that follow… his twin is neurotypical.
aubrey says:
Zoey- when you turn your flash off your camera may be slowing down the shutter speed to make up for the low light environment. Try setting your camera on “shutter” mode. which is probably marked by an S on your dial. If you can set the actual shutter speed. I find that 1/200 is often pretty good. But you can play around with it and see which one works for you. Or if you don’t have that option try a tripod or bracing your photo taking hand with your other hand or a tree or something like that.
sorry didn’t mean to get long winded. just trying to help out.
Aubrey says:
I use my speed light a lot. But I need to get a diffuser for it since it does not pivot. or get a different speedlight. I like using reflectors when I can too. Mine is a small piece of cardboard wrapped in crinkled aluminum foil. I know it screams professional right? I love playing with the shutter speed and stuff to change the lighting in my photos. As always Thanks for the amazing tips Heather. You rock!
Tracie says:
Those shots are really lovely.
I have a point and shoot that frustrates me daily (there are NO setting options on it!) but I carry on and keep taking pictures…..and one day I will move up in the camera world.
Jess says:
I’m going to the zoo tomorrow so I’ll be sure to try this out!
Becky says:
Zoey,
It’s probably TV on your camera. You can also try increasing the ISO. Good luck!
Sarah, The Crazy Baby Mama says:
Natural, diffused light is my favorite ‘accessory’ — and i find that everything looks… softer… on a cloudy day. (Especially the dark circles that have dug down deep under my eyes. )
Mommy says:
I am going to save these tips for when (if) I EVER save up enough money to get the camera I have my eye on… Maybe be the end of the year. These pictures are amazing!!!
sara says:
Yay for baby pictures. I just posted some kids pics….advice?
http://WWW.mylifebehindthecamera.blogspot.com
Adrianne says:
I hate using a flash, and almost never do…probably to my own detriment sometimes! I really need an external flash; perhaps then I wouldn’t hate it so much. However, for those looking for a cheaper way to get better light, I bought the Lightscoop. It’s obviously not totally ideal, but for $30, it’s good for an amateur like myself:) It’s basically just a mirror attached to your flash that bounces the light off of a ceiling or wall. It only works indoors. Anyway, until I can afford an external flash, it will have to do!
P.S. For what it’s worth, I actually still like the non-flash picture of Mike and Annie better (especially with a tiny bit of help from Lightroom!). But I suppose that’s to be expected from a flash hater like myself.
Becca says:
While I agree that sometimes a flash can help and if used right doesn’t make the subject look superimposed on the picture, I do not agree with your example. I think Annie and Mike look tons better in the photo w/o the flash. Yeah, they have shadows on their faces which isn’t desirable, BUT on the pic with the flash they look superimposed onto the background…and I’m just not a fan of that.
Andy @ Wedding Photography Buckinghamshire says:
Most people who say they hate using flash really dont understand how to use it. Natural light is one of the most important tools for a photography. Understanding how to use fill flash for natural looking portraits is a skill worth learning. The key with flash is to take it off camera and use a diffuser and a reflector. Unless you have the time to wait for perfect natural light which sometimes never happens then flash all the way.