Flash | Neshannock Pennsylvania Senior Photographer

What you are about to see is the difference between day and night.

But not really. No, these photos were taken within approximately 15 seconds of each other. They are both straight out of camera, without edits. So, what magic happened inside that little black box to make these photographs look so different? The secret is flash. Off camera flash, to be specific.

Once upon a time, I was afraid of flash. "It's ugly", I said. "It makes people look like deer in headlights" I said. But, that was when all I knew was the dreaded pop up flash. To be sure, that flash on your camera that pops up when you're shooting in auto is the devil. Avoid it like the plague! Then, I heard about off camera flash....and still, I was afraid. Because it looked so HARD to learn. But, if you're a photographer and already know light and exposure, I'm here to say it really isn't hard. It's fun. It's an experiment. It is something that gives creative control like nothing before. I've been a flash addict for a while now.

I'm not saying that either one of these photographs is "right"...what I am saying is that it sure is fun to control our photographs and make them what WE want them to be. Day to night is complicated only so far as the learning curve of getting your flash off camera in the first place. After that? It is all about controlling your exposure. The first image is pretty representative of the light that night. It was an overcast evening--even raining on and off. The light was flat and soft. Not ugly, for sure, but not exactly edgy. Enter photo #2, where I simply chose to set the camera to underexpose to the level I desired and used flash diffused in an umbrella to light Dante up. A reflector on his right side lifted the shadows just enough that his right cheek and ear didn't fade to pure black. And all that gorgeous saturation and color? That is exactly how the photograph came out of camera. Why? because light and shadow create texture and depth. And, of course, flash affects white balance, as well. It all works together to allow you to create something new. Not a document. A portrait.

 I took many photographs of Dante that night without flash. But my favorites for him all have a little flash power going on. It just suited him and the night, I think.

Which do you prefer? Natural and airy? Or controlled and more dramatic? I confess I like both depending on the subject. I can't imagine photographing a two year old girl quite like this!  But I confess, this scene called to me to use some off camera flash! Don't be afraid of the light! :)

Smiles,

Angelina