Why is Flash Photography Important?

Although I took up photography quite early in life flash photography was never one of my fortes.  It was really complicated.  You had to know the GN number of your flash, you had to estimate the distance that you wanted proper exposure, you had to factor in the film speed that you were using and then you had to do a calculation that took all these factors into consideration to arrive at the proper aperture to set for you camera.  On top of that if you had to bounce the flash then your distance calculation would be more like rocket science to work out the indirect distance and reflectivity of the surface that you were bouncing off... Good luck.

When I took up digital photography everything had changed,  not only do you have the immediacy to review your results on screen. You also had the benefit of highly sophisticated Through The Lens (TTL) exposure systems which would measure the amount of light in the camera via a pre-flash to calculate in real time the ideal flash power to regulate in order to give you perfect exposure every time.

If you're depend on event photography as a living, regardless if you cover weddings, birthdays or corporate event you'll find that flash photography is one of the most important skills which you have to master.  For a photo to be technically right the focus and exposure has to be spot on, everything else would be a secondary consideration.  When I was trying to learn flash photography I was very fortunate to have been under the guidance of a very experienced wedding photographer.  He taught me how to shoot at high ISO's, When to fill and when to bounce, how and why you would want to use a side bounce and what to do when all else fails.

Those days of apprenticing taught me valuable lessons which I find myself applying everyday in my work.  In shooting events, portraits, products, food being able to use your flash effectively & creatively makes all the difference in your final result.  To have an image in your mind and being able to apply the right combination of lighting techniques to realise the image is very fulfilling. To bring to life drama, highlights, shadows and subtlety from you 3 dimensional subject via your painting in light.