The use of flash in daylight.

Watching the news on TV I see that photographers always have
flash units mounted on their cameras - even in bright
sunshine.

Obviously they do this for the fill-in light for shadows.
But is there another reason? Does the flash give a better
focus result because of the actinic light this gives? I seem
to get slightly better focus when I use flash-only though
the overall effect is poor. Better to use the flash
together with normal operation even though the exposure
settings are more critical.

I ask because it might be worth while buying an expensive
external flash for my camera, an Olympus E500.

Peter Jason wrote:
Watching the news on TV I see that photographers always have
flash units mounted on their cameras - even in bright
sunshine.

Obviously they do this for the fill-in light for shadows.
But is there another reason? Does the flash give a better
focus result because of the actinic light this gives? I seem
to get slightly better focus when I use flash-only though
the overall effect is poor. Better to use the flash
together with normal operation even though the exposure
settings are more critical.

I ask because it might be worth while buying an expensive
external flash for my camera, an Olympus E500.

1. In a PJ environment the shooter cannot choose the angle of the
sunlight to subject. So fill/exposure light has to be provided quite often.
2. lightens the shadows under the eyes/nose, cap bills, hats, etc.
3. tells the subject where to look next time (attract attention)
4. motion freeze (rear-sync freeze on long shutter)
5. pops out bright colors (scarves, ties, ...)
6. PJ's aren't making art, they are documenting a person at a place and
time.

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On Mon, 8 Dec 2008 08:08:41 +1100, "Peter Jason"
wrote:

Watching the news on TV I see that photographers always have
flash units mounted on their cameras - even in bright
sunshine.

Obviously they do this for the fill-in light for shadows.
But is there another reason? Does the flash give a better
focus result because of the actinic light this gives?

It's a hell of a good way to get rid of camera shake.

I seem
to get slightly better focus when I use flash-only though
the overall effect is poor. Better to use the flash
together with normal operation even though the exposure
settings are more critical.

I ask because it might be worth while buying an expensive
external flash for my camera, an Olympus E500.




Eric Stevens

Peter Jason wrote:
Watching the news on TV I see that photographers always have
flash units mounted on their cameras - even in bright
sunshine.

Obviously they do this for the fill-in light for shadows.
But is there another reason? Does the flash give a better
focus result because of the actinic light this gives?
The focus setting is done before the flash fires.
I seem
to get slightly better focus when I use flash-only though
the overall effect is poor. Better to use the flash
together with normal operation even though the exposure
settings are more critical.

I ask because it might be worth while buying an expensive
external flash for my camera, an Olympus E500.