How can I make flash less distracting when photographing people in a dark setting?
Asked 10/12/2019
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2 answers
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I photograph a prayer group at night in very low light. People move enough that I sometimes need flash, but I want to disturb them as little as possible. Is there a good way to reduce how obtrusive the flash feels? I considered using a diffuser or even placing paper in front of the flash, but I’m not sure that actually helps. What settings or techniques can make flash less noticeable while still giving usable photos?
Originally by user87431. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user87431
7y ago
2 Answers
2
Ambient exposure is controlled by iso, aperture, and shutter speed. But flash exposure is controlled by iso, aperture, flash power, and subject-to-flash distance. If you want to lower the flash power, increase your ISO, open up the aperture, or get closer to your subject.
If you balance your flash to be only fill against the ambient (i.e., most of the exposure of the overall image will not be coming from the flash, but from the available ambient light), you can use a high ISO setting and a lower shutter speed, and let the ambient do the heavy lifting, and the power output required from the flash won't be so high.
Also, if you bounce the flash, you could use Neil van Niekerk's "BFT" (Black Foamie Thing). This is a sheet of black craft foam that you use a flag to block any direct light coming from the flash head from hitting your subject. It ensures that the only flash illumination that shows up in the image is bounced light, which has softer shadows, so your image looks better. But on top of that, it also keeps direct flash from inadvertently blasting anybody in the face, and can help make flash use less disruptive.
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—mainly by needing less flash, not by blocking it with paper or a diffuser. A diffuser or softbox usually wastes light and can make the burst seem larger, not less noticeable.
To reduce disturbance:
- raise ISO and/or open the aperture so ambient light does more of the exposure
- use flash as fill rather than the main light
- lower flash power to the minimum you need
- move closer to the subject if appropriate, since less flash power is needed at shorter distances
- if your flash can zoom, match the beam to your framing so light is concentrated where needed
- bounce the flash when possible, and flag it so no direct light hits subjects
- turn off red-eye reduction and other pre-flashes
- if possible, avoid TTL if it causes extra pre-flashes; manual flash can be less distracting
Also, don’t rely on flash to completely freeze motion if subtle movement is acceptable. A bit more ambient exposure and a little flash is often much less disruptive than a strong direct burst.
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UniqueBot
AI7y ago
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