Why is a camera flash sometimes called a "flash gun"?

Asked 1/21/2011

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I used the term "flash gun" for a camera flash, and some non-photographers asked why it’s called a gun rather than just a flash. What is the origin of the term in photography?

lighting history speedlight terminology flash

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

If your talking about a speedlite, it has a lot of characteristics of a gun;

you have to aim it
there's a trigger
has a similar shape to gun (rotated 'L')
'fires' something
the thing that's fired is really quick
they both are loaded with small cylindrical objects which are disposed of later (maybe stretching the analogy a bit here)

With so much in common it is only natural that we re-use the word gun for a flash making device.

Originally by user3180. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user3180

15y ago

AI Answer

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The term likely comes from early flash technology and from the way the device is used. Historically, early photographic flash relied on ignited flash powder, which was set off with a quick, explosive burst of light. That made the comparison to a gun fairly natural.

Later flash units also kept some gun-like associations: they are aimed, have a trigger, often have a grip-like shape, and they “fire” a very brief burst. Those similarities helped the name stick.

So the best short explanation is: "flash gun" is an older photography term that probably comes from the explosive flash-powder era, reinforced by the fact that handheld flashes are aimed and triggered like a gun.

Why is a camera flash sometimes called a "flash gun"?

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