How to use the built-in flash

First of all, set and check the flash mode of digital camera reasonably.

All kinds of digital cameras generally have built-in flash, and many models can also be connected with flash. Therefore, digital cameras must have flash mode settings, which usually include at least three basic modes: automatic, forced flash and no flash. Most cameras will add one or all of the special modes of "anti-red-eye, slow" 1-2, and there is usually a button in the operation mode. In addition, all digital cameras have a sleep mode, and the flash mode may change when they wake up from sleep or turn on after being turned off. Different models have different default modes, and they may not always remember the last set state. Some models even change the flashing state after switching the "browse/shoot" state. One of the most common mistakes is to suddenly find that the flash mode is wrong after pressing the shutter, and start over. So be sure to check before shooting.

Second, you need to consider using a flash.

Flash is generally used in the following situations. Don't hesitate unless there is a situation described in the "no" clause.

1. When there is no light, or the light is dim and the brightness of the subject is insufficient, such as taking pictures at night.

2. Backlight and side backlight shooting, when the brightness contrast between the subject and the background is large. For example, the sun shines from behind people, and it will be very dark if people don't flash.

3. When there are both luminous objects and non-luminous objects in the picture, such as the TV screen, if you don't use the flash, you can only see the screen picture, and the TV shell is dark.

4. When the brightness of different parts of the object is seriously uneven, the flash can make the brightness of the object uniform.

Third, don't use the flash.

In the following situations, you should generally consider turning off the flash.

1. is beyond the range of flash, and cannot enter the effective range by adjusting the distance. Generally, it should not exceed 2 meters in the daytime and 3 meters at night, so as to have a good effect, otherwise it will not have an ideal effect regardless of whether it is used or not. Please refer to their instructions except for some cameras with strong flash.

2. In the dark, if the background of the subject is a large area of light, such as when everyone goes to the underwater world, shooting the underwater world through the underwater tunnel, or a colorful music fountain, dim it with a flash and then use exposure compensation to solve it. It's useless to use a flash for such a big fountain. I can't see anything. You don't need a flash. Only by increasing the exposure time can the ideal effect be obtained.

3. When the object is too close, for example, when shooting a close shot in the range of 15cm, it is generally unnecessary to flash, otherwise the surface brightness of the object will be uneven and some parts may be overexposed.

4. When there is an obstacle between the flash and the object, such as a close-up, the lens may completely block the light of the flash and lose its function.

Fourth, avoid uneven exposure or big bright spots.

When the surface of the object is bright, the strong reflection of the flash will leave a big bright spot on the photo and destroy the overall effect. For example, shooting objects in glass windows, objects wrapped in plastic films and computer cards will also produce strong reflection points. If there is a film, it is best to remove it. If it is easy to reflect light, you can keep the camera as far away from the object as possible (adjust the screen size through the zoom lens). The most important thing is to change the camera angle properly and shoot sideways.

5. Use a flash as an auxiliary light source.

Flash is not only used at night, but can be used to compensate appropriately whenever the contrast between light and dark in different parts of the subject is too large. There is no flash, the upper surface of the object is bright and the lower surface is illuminated by the flash, so the whole object is bright.

Vi. Lighting background for night portraits: Correct use of slow synchronous flash mode.

After using the flash, the shutter speed will increase, but if the background is beautiful colored light, it will appear underexposed. Nowadays, many digital cameras have slow synchronous flash mode, and the shutter speed will not increase because the flash is turned on. The flash may flash twice in a row, keeping the shutter open, or opening the shutter for a period of time before flashing, or keeping it for a period of time after flashing. The principle is the same. That is, the theme and background have been properly exposed. It should be noted that at this time, the exposure time is prolonged, so be sure to hold the camera or cooperate with the tripod, and remind the subject to keep his posture still for a few seconds before and after turning on the flash, otherwise, ghosting will occur due to shaking hands or moving objects. In addition, when the static lighting background is dark, it is often necessary to increase the exposure compensation appropriately, and because the subject is close, it may be too bright under the action of the flash. At this time, it is suggested to reduce the light intensity of the flash appropriately to prevent overexposure. See below for specific methods to reduce the flash intensity. Using standard flash mode, the subject is bright, but the background is not clear. Use slow synchronous flash to shoot the subject and background.

VII. Objects with fluorescent screens

Such as monitors, televisions, etc. The screen is luminous, but the frame shell is not luminous, so it takes a flash to shoot completely and brightly. However, due to the reflection of the screen glass, it is best to shoot horizontally (left and right, up and down) to avoid big bright spots in the middle. There is no flash, the screen is very bright, but after using the black edge, it is all clear.

In addition, due to the screen refresh rate, there may be a beat with the scanning rate of the digital camera, resulting in a dark bar that scrolls slowly. The solution is to slow down the shutter speed (such as using slow synchronization mode), and sometimes it takes several experiments to get satisfactory results (as shown in the figure). The jump between the camera and the display causes the rolling dark area to slow down the shutter speed and get a normal picture.

Eight, avoid the red eye that the flash may cause.

Quite simply, almost all cameras have a red-eye flash mode. It should be noted that in this mode, the fast and slow time will be extended, so hold the camera steady or use a tripod.

Nine, pay attention to the effective distance

Generally, the power of camera flash is relatively weak, so the distance range is limited. The effective distance of backlight shooting may be only 1-2 meters in the daytime when the light is strong, and it is longer at night, but the effective range of flash of general digital cameras is not more than 3-5 meters.

Ten, the use of underwater flash.

Water absorbs light seriously, so the light of underwater photography is very poor, and the flash range can only reach half of its effective distance underwater, so attention should be paid to avoid underexposure. In addition, if you shoot objects in the water through the glass, the flash should be close to the glass wall, otherwise most of the light will be reflected. However, because the camera lens is often more prominent than the flash, it is difficult to achieve in practical operation. At this time, I am afraid that only an external flash can solve the problem, or simply do not use the flash and shoot by extending the exposure time.

XI. How to adjust the brightness of the flash?

The maximum brightness of a flash is generally determined by its own characteristics. It is impossible to increase, but shielding with gauze or transparent paper can reduce the strength. Generally, one layer of gauze can be reduced to 50%, and the second layer can be reduced to about 1/4. In actual combat, there is often no such condition to find gauze, so the easiest way is to directly block the flash with your fingers! Be careful, don't block the center of the flash, block it from its edge to the center, and stick your fingers tightly. This method is very effective.

Twelve, pay attention to keep the lens clean.

Pay special attention to whether the lens is clean when using the flash at night, which I believe many friends can't think of. A digital camera usually has a protective glass in front of the lens. If there is dust on it, it may have little effect during the day, but it will cause obvious light spots when using the flash at night. There was a big sandstorm in Beijing, and the author suddenly found something suspicious on the screen when shooting at night. (Figure 13) Look carefully, this picture has many white spots.

At first I thought it was a lamp, but later I realized that the lens might be dirty. It is normal to take pictures after cleaning, but many photos need to be deleted before taking pictures, which shows the importance of keeping the lens clean.