I bet you have heard photographers tell you why you should never use a flash on your camera.
And today I am going to share some examples of why you should, in my opinion never use a flash.
When I started my blog I had no idea how important my photography skills would be.
I was new at taking photos and yes I did use a flash.
Well I did take photos of my daughter but really other than that I never took photos.
My husband was the official photographer in the family before I started my blog.
I wondered why photos on other sites were always so beautiful and mine….well they were pretty bad.
You don’t need a fancy camera to take pretty photos.
I have seen many photos taken with a regular camera and even a camera phone.
Here is an example of a photo I took using a flash.
It’s not very pretty the color is off and nothing in the photo is attractive,not even my pretty roses.
They just look….blah.
Here is a photo shot in manual without a flash.
Pretty amazing huh?
You notice all the true colors,my roses,the wall color the soft light filtering in from outside.
Here is another shot using a flash.
It looks dark,my walls look blueish gray and again my roses are not pretty.You also see some shadows too.
Here is that same shot in manual no flash.
You notice my wall color,and the soft color of the roses,and no shadows.
Let’s look at one more photo using a flash.
You can see my lace and blinds in this photo,and more shadows.
Here is another shot without the flash.
I think I convinced you not to use your flash on your camera.
I am not photography expert,but after two years of taking numerous photos I have learned a few things.
Not using a flash is one tip that is high on my list of things to know when taking photos.
And I always use a tripod and a wireless remote.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My daughter is home from school again.
This winter has been brutally cold,so they closed her school tomorrow and Tuesday.
I guess that means I will be stuck home working on projects!
Joining:
Great advice Anne. I rarely ever use a flash for the same reasons you pointed out. Natural light is so much better. Yep this weather we are having is too much. I am so over it.
Stay Warm.
Kris
Yes natural light is the best Kris.Stay warm my friend 🙂
lol I had to laugh as I was reading your post, Anne. I kept thinking back to when I first started posting photos on my newly born blog. Oh, they were sooo bad! I kept wondering why. I kept looking at all the beautifully, natural looking, softly lit photos on the “big girl” blogs and wondering what kind of fancy camera they used. Until I read that you should never use your flash — or lamps if at all possible. It creates weird colors, unappealing shadows, dulls, and flattens the photo. When I stopped using my flash and learned how to photo-edit my own photos, it was a whole new world for me….and my blog. 🙂 Thanks for the extra tips today, sweetie!
xoox laurie
Yep I think it is a lesson we all learn Laurie 🙂
Our house is really dark. What do you suggest then? I’ve tried not using the camera, and it either ends up blurry from the long shutter time or too dark. Your pictures are lovely by the way!! It’s something I’m definitely working on!
Thank you Misty.Just practice with different settings.The hardest thing to learn is lighting.I am going to take a photography class soon.But really the best way to learn is to mess around with different settings.
I think blogging taught us all how to be a better photographers lol!! I laughed when I read how before blogging your husband took all the photos that was the same with me too…now he doesn’t even want to take photos he always hands the camera to me:) Have a great week Anne and stay warm!
You are so right–not using a flash is one of the most important things for a beautiful photo–I never used a tripod and really need to start doing that. Your roses are gorgeous!
Thank you Sandy!
Thanks for the tips. Ha! I love being “stuck” because it forces me to get some things done! I’ve gotten a lot done this month already, but it does help being snowed in for about 6 days total so far.
This is for sure,but today I ran out of paint for my walls and had to take a trip out….UGH!
I have a great friend who is professional photographer and when I complain about having issues with light…she says to use my flash. Ugh! I love that gal to death, but she thinks I’m a little wacky when it comes to this. LOL!! It’s a little more challenging for me as I have a pocket camera….but many times…no one would guess….and I never use the flash.
I love that silver bucket of roses! Especially today when it’s bone chilling cold and they’ve already cancelled school for tomorrow!
Blessings!
~Diane
Yes Diane, my husband told me the same thing,that some pros like using a flash.But as you can see you get a totally different look.I prefer a softer photo.
I am going to have to make sure to do this. I love getting good tips. Thanks so much.
You are welcome Becky.
This point is really brought to bear when you take a picture of your Christmas Tree. I would look at my tree and what I saw as one full of ornaments, but when the photo was taken with the flash it looked bare! If you will take the flash off, you will get the look your “eye” sees. And you will be surprised to see how little light you need, since the lens stays open longer gathering all the UV rays. Great tutorial.
Thank you Rena! Yes taking a photo of a Christmas tree can be a challenge.
Good advice. I wish I would of read this before I did my most recent post. I find that unless I take pictures in the morning or early afternoon hours that the dark gray weather we often have here in WA doesn’t make for good indoor pictures. And that is because of who is taking them. I just set the camera on automatic mode most of the time and hope for the best. There is certainly much to learn. Now if only the blog fairy could fix my pictures. lol.
Tonita
I think you photos are lovely Tonita <3
I have been working hard to use the manual setting on my camera to take pictures without the flash. It’s not easy since my house can be dark and since I work and am not home when the light is good. Your photographs are lovely!
Thank you Paula!
I was both flabbergasted and amazed when someone advised me to turn off the flash when taking photos. My friends look at me like I have two heads when I tell them to that too. lol But what a HUGE difference it makes in the quality of the photos! Great tip for anyone who doesn’t already realize it.
Yep I totally agree Suzy.When I first started blogging I wondered why my photos did not look as good as so many I other bloggers.The flash was the reason.
Great tips !! I don’t use my flash either! I love my tripod as well! Love your floral arrangement – so pretty!
Thank you Heather!
Excellent tips Anne! Wonderful to be on tour with you again this week!
Thank you Kelly!
I don’t use a flash either but I find using a tripod very cumbersome. Any tricks?
– Alma, The Tablescaper
Alma,Maybe you have the wrong type of tripod? If you shoot in manual a tripod is a must.