Flash photography, it was something I did not want to deal with when I first started. My excuse was “ Oh I prefer to use natural light over flash. Flash is too harsh on the skin, flash is not natural, flash is not flattering, flash is this, flash is that.” But really, this was all to hide the fact that I did not know how to use flash. When I did use it, the photo would look like the subject was photoshopped onto a fake backdrop. Looking at the spedlite was like learning a new language with the bunch of weird numbers (wouldn’t you say learning photography itself is like a new language)

But knowing how to manipulate your speedlite (or any light for that matter) is crucial, especially in wedding photography. Why wedding photography? Because most brides wear white or shades of white, so without flash, there is a high chance of overexposing the photo and the dress will result in a “blob” of white. Intricate details such as lace, crystals and the like will be all washed.

 There is a trend these days in photography to blow out the highlight, I do it as well sometimes. Eg, to blowout the background because it might not be the most interesting landscape. But I do try to not overexpose the dress to get “the blob” on bride’s dresses. It’s all very subjective, but this is my approach.

Trust me, when you get your exposure spot on, it will make your post editing much easier, quicker and you will not cringe at the photos because there is so much work needed to be done on it. Post editing should be enhancing the photos, not fixing the photo (please do rub it in the day I do not follow this protocol). There is an assumption, “Oh that can always be photoshop”. I realllllllllllllyyyyyy do not follow that approach in my shooting at all. I like to get it right in camera as much as I can, because, how many photos can you manually “fix”?

So here is a photo of Bec I want to show you how I use flash and natural light to balance the ambient mood. (I love her Swarovski-bling dress).

Here is the setting for this photo: 50 1.4mm @ 2.5m ISO 400 1/400s, manual exposure, spot metering, TTL flash.

Bet you thought this photo was taken using all natural light because Bec was standing next to a window? It’s a bummer I didn’t take a photo without flash to show you. But without flash, if you expose for the skin, then Bec’s dress will be mostly of “the blob”, as well as the bottom left of the window. If you expose for the background, then Bec will be very dark to the point you can’t see her face.

I spot meter for Bec’s dress so I don’t blow out the highlight of the dress. Note I did not crank up the ISO because I do not like too much noise in my photo (remember, light & airy is my style). I will then turn on my SB900, dial down the flash to -1.00EV, using TTL. If you need to use higher power flash, then add the diffuser on top of the flash to diffuse the flash. Eg, my diffuser is the milky Gary Fong’s dome.

I have posted the before and after editing.  Here are the steps to edit this photo:

1. +1 contrast
2. Lighten Bec’s face a lil bit.
3. Skin softening.
4. Sharpening of her eyes. (I do not sharpen the whole image, ever! Again, personal preference for my style.)

And that’s it!

Just be mindful not to over photoshop the skin, aka, airbrushing. Like they say, less is more.

Now, whenever someone asks me about flash, I still say I prefer to use natural light, but I have the flash on me at all time. It is my life saver. So come on, pick up your flash and don’t be afraid of it. All it takes is practice (just not on a bride ).

I will be blogging Bec and Jono’s beloved session and then their wedding soon. Guess this will be my sneak peek instead.

Chrissy