The External Flash: The Most Basic Piece Of Photography Lighting Equipment

The amount of photography lighting equipment on the market is vast and wide. From softboxes to diffusers to strobe lighting, all are important pieces to have in one's arsenal, especially those who specialize in portrait and wedding photography. The external flash, also known as a speedlite or an external hot-shoe, may seem like a basic piece of equipment, but with the right techniques and understanding, it can become an important piece of your gear.

Many external flash units today are also referred to as E-TTL, which stands for "evaluative-through-the-lens" operation. They give the user complete control over the unit and how much flash it puts out. Keep in mind that flash output is not determined by how bright the flash gets. Rather, it is determined by the duration of time the flash emits lights.

What ways can photographers effectively use an external flash? The most common technique is "fill flash." Picture the following scenario: It is a bright, sunny day so you place the subject of your photo in the shade, creating a silhouette. The solution? Fill flash. The flash will send the correct amount of light to "fill in" the subject. Another helpful technique is known as "dragging the shutter." This technique is helpful when the subject is dimly lit. Slow your shutter speed to about 1/15 or 1/10 and take the shot again with the flash on.

An external flash, like most photography lighting equipment, has the ability to soften the lighting. Harsh lights are the nemesis of portrait photographers. Two simple techniques to soften light are to either bounce or reflect the flash. In the first scenario, angle the external flash toward the ceiling. Also try angling it to the left or right of a wall or into a corner. Shooting outdoors? Many flashes come with a white card built in which extends from the top of the flash head. When you pivot the flash, the card will provide a surface for it to bounce off of toward the subject. The only problem with these two techniques is that the photographer may not have as much directional control. To gain back control, use a diffuser but still point it directly toward the subject instead.

An external flash gives the photographer more control than a built-in flash, allowing the user to have more diversity in his pictures. Add it to your photography lighting arsenal, experiment, and enjoy better, more professional photographs.

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