Flash Gets a Bad Rap

When I say things like “golden hour, window light, and even lighting,” how does that make you feel as a photographer? Do you feel excited to shoot? Perhaps, if you’re doing a client shoot, you feel relief? Now, what if I say, “dappled light, harsh light, direct sun?” How do you feel now? Maybe a little bit stressed? Okay, here is one last word for you – flash. Are you feeling calm or anxious? I feel like flash gets a bad rap.

When I hear flash, I think things like: control, creativity, easy. Yes, you read that correctly – easy. If you know how to use a flash WELL, it’s like controlling the sun. Do you want rim light? Great, put the flash behind someone. Do you want even lighting? Great! Angle the flash across their face. Do you want to get creative? Flash has you covered! Dark homes? Dreary spaces? Overcast, dark days. A session running later than expected into the evening…. These don’t scare me anymore.

What is the secret? The secret is taking your flash OFF of your camera. When you shoot, you don’t shoot with the sun hitting your subjects directly in the face, so why would you do the same with your flash? If you put your flash AWAY from you, that’s step one. If you know how to filter the light with either modifiers you brought with you, or environmental ones (think curtains), that’s step two. My goal in this blog post isn’t to teach all things flash because that would take some days for sure.

I have a workshop on that which takes you from not even owning a flash to mastering it over the course of two weeks!

Check out Off Camera Flash 101

My intent in this blog is to open your mind to the IDEA of using flash and taking away some of the stigmatization that comes from so many people using it poorly. Come along on a visual journey with me.

Also, if you think at any point, “I could never learn to do that,” don’t sell yourself short. Learning to use flash well is no harder than learning to shoot in manual. If you have done the one, you can do the other! When I first learned, I spent two DAYS troubleshooting a piece of gear that simply needed a battery replaced. I also almost set my pants on fire (true story). I was the worst flash student you can imagine. After I signed up for a course, I ran around a few days beforehand because I didn’t actually clue in that a course on flash photography would require me owning a flash. I promise, I was not smart in this subject! So don’t be scared, and come and get inspired to at least maybe adjust your perception of the word “flash.”

We live in an older, darker home. I shoot after dark a lot of the time due to our family schedules. I love being able to pop up a quick “studio” to showcase a birthday or a story:

Additionally, some of the best rooms in our house either don’t have windows or have really tiny ones, so I love making my own window light on the fly:

Flash is also perfect if you’re in a creative rut. It’s not limited just to “utilitarian” light as a stand-in window:

It can add a little “pop of magic” to ordinary images as well:

Lastly, I can’t leave you without a little before and after magic and some glimpses behind the scenes:

So, in conclusion, flash doesn’t have to have a bad rap. I hope when you hear the word “flash,” you aren’t filled with instant dread anymore, but rather, a spark of curiosity and potential! Flash is just a tool. Skilled use of that tool can create beautiful art!

For more inspiration, follow Laura on Instagram!