When I first purchased my Rebel T3i in the Spring, everything I read and nearly everyone I spoke to said to never use the built in flash on the camera.
I have to agree the built in flash produces flat, lifeless photos, so I avoided it like the plague. But it made me wonder…then why would anyone actually buy a flash??
After getting my camera, I jumped right in and started shooting in Manual most of the time, with the exception of close up shots when I wanted a blurred background and then I would shoot in Aperture priority.
Things were going along pretty well…BUT…I couldn’t quite figure out how to avoid blown out windows.
If you shoot room settings, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t, let me explain the challenge. If it’s daytime and you want to highlight, for example, a sofa in a living room, you need to set your exposure for the lighting surrounding the sofa. This causes whatever window may happen to be in the picture to be too bright and all the details are lost of whatever view you happen to have. Obviously, if you set your exposure for the window, the sofa will be too dark.
I learned recently that a flash (not the built in one) will help prevent this. All along I’ve been thinking ‘why would a flash be a good thing when the built in flash isn’t?’ I don’t have the answer to that, but I will tell you…it just IS!
A picture is truly worth a thousand words so I thought I would share a couple of pictures I took with and without the flash. The settings were exactly the same. Shutter speed 1/13, Aperture 5 and ISO 200. The only thing that changed was the use of the flash.
None of these pictures were edited in any way, shape or form. Without the flash, the colors on the left look ‘muddy’, while with it they’re far clearer.
Buying a flash has been the best $59+ I ever spent.
Well, if you don’t count the brand new GEN-U-IIINE Dolce & Gabana bag I got at a tag sale.
I purchased my flash at Walmart. It was the only one they had and at $59, it’s one of the cheapest on the market that I’m aware of, AND you can get it for even less on Ebay.
If you have any tips you’ve learned along the way, especially for blown out areas such as windows, I’d love it if you would share them!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Remarkable difference….I have yet to buy my flash attachment….maybe after France!…:)
Andi says
I would really like to take a photography class. I know there’s so much room for improvement on the pictures I take. I have a pretty decent camera, but auto mode only takes you so far…
-andi
Jane says
I am so ashamed of myself…I have the same camera (had it for over a year) and even though I took an online 5 week photography course, I remember zilch and I haven’t opened my manual. I do shoot in several modes and adjust my aperture and ISO, but other than that, I know there are a ton of things I need to learn and I am not doing this camera (or my blog) justice!! Anyway…I heard to get the best picture when a window is involved is to shoot at an angle. But your flash is much better. Who would have thought that more light would work? Does this flash help you take night pictures as well? I have totally given up up on that.
Thanks for the info!
XO,
Jane
Doreen Sargente says
Jane, one of the courses I recommend is Shoot Fly Shoot. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s reasonably priced and geared toward visual learners, which most bloggers are ;), but it already sounds like you know a lot. You just need the right tools. Camera manuals are useless in my opinion. I haven’t looked at mine either.
As for night pictures, yes, the flash definitely helps with that a LOT. Another toy that’s essential to have is a tripod. Since most of my shots are in the cabin I have all that wood to deal with, and at night it’s a nightmare to take pics without the tripod. I’m sure you know, but just in case, the tripod allows you to slow down your shutter speed, which is super important for dark situations. If you don’t have a tripod, your pics will come out blurry.
Get both of these things. You won’t regret it.
Angela says
Amazing! I’m going to have to take the plunge soon and put on my big girl pants!!!!~~Angela
Doreen Sargente says
I’ve been wearing big girl pants for a while…they’re called Depends. LOL
(J/K)
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hello Doreen! Photography is one of my hobbies so I have a flash and a light meter. It definitely does make a difference when used correctly. You can clearly see the difference in your pictures. I hope you’re having a great week. 🙂
Doreen Sargente says
I’ve heard about light meters Vashti, but I’m not familiar with them. I’m going to do some research now. :).
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Doreen, great post! Photography is such a huge challenge for me, I’m ashamed to admit how much I don’t know about my camera after having it for 6 months! Such a difference with the flash, wow! I really need to think about getting one – it is difficult to use? I an dreading the lost of daylight as we move in to the fall! 🙂
Doreen Sargente says
It’s not difficult to use at all Cindy! Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can do it ;).
Manuela@ A Cultivated Nest says
What a great tip! I’m so bad with my camera. I’m shooting in Auto!
Helen says
Thanks for sharing that information, Doreen! I never knew what a difference it would make either.
Dawn @ We Call It Junkin says
Doreen, this is really interesting, because everyone says – never use a flash for photos you’re going to put online! But you’re right, the ones with your new flash look much better! Good info. Glad you figured it out, yay! Take care – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin
Lauren says
thanks for hosting! and oh what a difference a flash makes!!!!