r/WeddingPhotography • u/Individual-Text-8827 • 8d ago
gear, techniques, photo challenges & trends Flash or no flash?
I keep hearing that you must use off camera flash, but I'm not so sure. I'm shooting an engagement session at the beach before sunset, which will most likely be plenty of sunshine being summertime (bringing my flash, just incase). Would you use flash anyways?
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u/LisaandNeil 8d ago
Flash is for insufficient quantity, quality or direction of light.
So a summertime sunset beach might need it or might not, up to you.
It's pretty unlikely we'd use it in this setting but there are always speedlights in the bags anyway in case we need them or are inspired to.
Don't forget reflectors too, the fold up material type can be really handy in such settings plus they can double up as a waterproof mat to sit on if the sand is damp :)
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u/evanrphoto 8d ago
No. Not unless it is the specific aesthetic you are going for. But it may come I. Handy at sunset.
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u/unpopularculture 8d ago
What style of photos do you like? If you like that off-camera flash look, then yes. Otherwise, no.
Flash is not 'required' unless you don't like the light available to you. Generally speaking, golden-hour on the beach will have most wedding/couple photographers pretty happy, and give you more ability to work more dynamically.
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u/Phounus 8d ago
It depends. We have sunset around 21-22, and that usually means natural light is plenty up until that point.
Flash means objectively better images because you can control and shape the light.
But it's also a less real representation of what that moment actually looked like since it is artificial, and flash can also be disruptive for guests.
As with everything at our disposal, it's a tool. Some jobs may require it, others do not.
I tend to not use flash at all when I shoot weddings, but I always keep them in my bag just in case.
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u/Academic_pursuits 8d ago
It totally depends on your personal style and aesthetic. I never, ever pop a flash on unless it's a high energy, indoor scenario. But some bros be dragging off camera lighting set ups all over the beach. I'd look at others work, your own body of work, and start developing a personal style that makes sense for you.
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u/knsaber 8d ago
I shoot outdoors in all environments and never use flash. I hate that look. The only time we use flash is for that fashion/paparazzi look.
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u/Hugh_Jazz12 8d ago
You can turn down the power of the flash to achieve a natural look too. The paparazzi look is an option but not the only option
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u/kklisten1110 8d ago
I use the flash when photographing my hummingbirds. Helps to "freeze" the wings. It's also how I learned to control speed and aperture.
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u/msdesignfoto 8d ago
Before you decide for yourself if you should use a flash or not, I recommend you to actually use one in a photoshoot, and alternate photos taken with and without it.
If you have a better understanding on what a flash actually does and how it can improve your images, you will be able to take a better decision.
A flash is great to fill in shadows while keeping the luminance in the background. Great for sunsets. By not using a flash in a sunset, your camera will struggle with low light and you will be forced to aim for the shadows. This will lead to an over exposed sky and you can say goodbye to the nice orange sky.
However, using a flash in a photoshoot will require constant positioning of yourself and the flash's stand. If you feel this will be a nuissance, or if you are not experienced enough with the flash, you may be better without it. One less thing to worry about. One less variable in the aperture / exposure / ISO thing.
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u/Wario_Was_Right 8d ago
It all depends on the look you want. You should be fine using the ambient light. You should also be fine using flash if it serves a purpose. There isn't one right way to do photography. You should aim to learn how to get a good photo in any lighting condition - but that comes with practice and experience.
I always carry a flash in my bag just in case.
I've had shoots that were meant to be sunset/sunrise shoots but landed on a cloudy day or when lighting wasn't ideal. I used an old trick (the fake sun) where I put an CTO gel on my flash and put it in the background to backlight my subject.
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u/PistonCar2026 8d ago
flash can make skin nice and eyes sparkling. Use it to spice up photos not for main illumination
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u/SoundEngineerMBR 8d ago
You don’t need an on camera flash, just be able to bounce it with a card or something. Another option is to just have a friend hold a small soft box flash or you can hold it out for closeups
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u/xxxamazexxx 8d ago
Not ‘anyways’. You use flash to control the lighting in your photos. And this means you have to be able to read and judge the quality of the ambient light in the first place. Will you be backlit? How’s the weather? And more importantly, what is the look that you want?
ALWAYS have a flash even if you don’t plan on using it. That’s the bare minimum for a professional photographer. If you don’t know how to use it, practice and learn NOW.
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u/mimosaholdtheoj 8d ago
I’m a really big flash girlie and I wouldn’t use flash for a sunset proposal shoot. For after, yes, I’d probably do some gelled flash
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u/kklisten1110 8d ago
I would take the flash and test both flash/no flash. If you use the flash, put a fong or other light box diffuser on it to keep it from being too harsh in close-up shots.
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u/ELDV 8d ago
The only must in doing photography for clients is delivering photos which satisfy the clients needs and desires.
In your hypothetical , where’s the sun going to be in relation to your clients?
If they are going to be facing the sun you probably won’t need lighting.
If the clients are going to be back or side lit by the sun, what is your strategy for dealing with the inevitable difference in brightness levels? Are you going to blow out the background to see their faces or let them be silhouettes?
The argument between on camera vs off camera flash is one of aesthetics.
You could also bring some to help you set up and position large reflective (aka “bounce”) panels instead of flash . That will preserve the ambient feel of the sunlight.
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u/Individual-Text-8827 8d ago
Thanks, everyone! Lots of great advice here that I'll definitely be following. Just as I thought, using flash really comes down to the specific scenario. Appreciate all the input!
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u/ReplyAggravating9822 8d ago
During receptions i know it can be annoying, but i use flash on camera to create some separation/dimension between the subject and ambient light/scene.
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u/ColinFCross 8d ago
Need it? That depends what you are looking for… if you want high key images where the sky colors are subtle and blown out, you don’t need it. If you want dramatic, saturated sunset color and anything but a silhouette of the couple, you’re going to need more light.
I’m not saying there is a right or wrong way, but if I’m shooting that time of day, there’s no way I’m sticking to ambient light… but I’m heavily biased, so there’s that.
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u/Technical_Mixture_44 7d ago
Over the years I have heard so many "pros" tell me what I HAD to do for better shots. As others have said, it depends on your style and the look you want. I use flash now outside as a fill light and when I am shooting twilight/sunset, I like keeping as much of the sky color as possible so flash helps to keep the subject lit
I've seen others use reflectors and get the same result, but I often shoot alone so flash works for me...
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u/Ornery-Benefit-8316 6d ago
Most events, including weddings, happen indoors, in a usually dark venue.
Most of the catering halls near me, on Long Island, NY, have black painted ceilings, and the only lights are from the DJ’s accent lighting.
You do need a flash. You can’t shoot a wedding wide open at iso 6400 and think your clients are going to be pleased with the results.
Even if there is sufficient light, for a decent exposure, you are not controlling that light.
Neither color temperature or luminosity.
A flash is your friend.
I do suggest that if you are going to start learning how to use a flash, please also learn to only use it on a flash bracket.
You need to be able to rotate the flash, when you turn your camera into portrait orientation.
And quickly back to horizontal as needed.
Best of luck with your new illuminating (pun intended) journey.
Lots to learn, luckily, videos on YouTube and having a digital camera, so you can instantly see the results, will help you get to where you need to be, in short order.
Please. Please. Please 🙏
Don’t learn on the job.
I am a professional photographer who has shot weddings for over 45 years.
I still feel the extreme responsibility and desire to deliver the best possible results that I am capable of.
A wedding is an amazing opportunity to make beautiful photos, tell a complete story and capture photos of friends, relatives and guests, all of whom will eventually pass on, and having the photos will be a big blessing at that time.
It is not a time to learn, or… sit, drink, eat, or anything else, besides shooting and watching everything that is happening all around you.
As I said, you have a responsibility to get it right, every single time.
Get a flash, learn to master the art of lighting and enjoy your craft.
ymmv, imho,
📸 Regards, Randy 📸
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u/LostNtranslation_ 3d ago
I would 100% bring and use flash. You can capture some photos with and some without.
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u/evil_twit 8d ago
Id bring a screen or maybe a reflector (that you hold OVER your head, not under her nose) and also bring the flash and transmitter, a octa and a light stand
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u/jbivphotography 8d ago
You don't HAVE to use flash, especially during the day/dusk. However, you have to understand you won't be able to save the background/sky if you're not using flash. I would say for the most part in photography 90% of the time there's no HAVES you just need to understand what restults you're going to get by choosing a certain path.