Flash is an important feature on a digital camera or camera phone. Certainly, in a number of situations, flash can provide much needed lighting when ambient light is insufficient and even in some scenarios when light is too harsh. However, flash can also ruin a photograph as well. It’s important to consider a number of things before using flash.
First, when using any camera, the user should acquaint themselves with the flash range of that camera. Flash should be used only when the subject of the photograph is within that range. If the range of a given camera is 6-10 feet, then the flash would be ineffective if the subject is standing 15 feet away. In addition, if the subject is too close, they will be washed out. There will be very little color in the shot, and the features of the subject will be washed out; there will be little detail.
Another drawback to flash is the potential of “red eye effect”. This occurs when a subject, whether a person or an animal, looks directly into the camera when the flash triggers. Subjects can be instructed to look slightly to the side or above the camera to reduce this effect, but of course, animals don’t always follow verbal instruction. Using a camera with red eye reduction or a similar feature, can also be very useful in eliminating this effect.
Using flash in brightly lit situations can be useful. For instance, if a photograph is taken in harsh sunlight at mid-day, it can be useful to use “fill” flash to even out the harsh lighting. Colors will be washed out in bright sunlight, but using flash can help the situation.
Of course, photographers also have to be careful about creating glare when using flash. When setting up a shot, it’s important to assure the camera isn’t pointed toward a window, a mirror, or another reflective surface which will create glare when the flash triggers.
With social sites online being so popular, self portraits have become important. Self portraits are used on Facebook, Twitter, and dozens of other sites. Unfortunately, many of these shots ignore the rules about glare created by flash. Standing in front of a mirror and snapping a shot without turning off the flash results in a self portrait that consists mostly of a bright flash of light. A better option is to use a self portrait camera or some of the accessories that make this kind of photography easier. A camera or camera phone with a front facing camera or a self portrait mirror for instance will eliminate the need to stand in front of the mirror to get a shot.
Flash is also important to consider when purchasing a camera. While standalone digital cameras nearly always offer flash, consumers probably need to assure that the camera will allow them to turn off the flash when desired. This can be important in a number of situations. For instance, there may be a number of public environments where flash is prohibited. In addition, there are a number of situations in which you specifically don’t want to use flash, such as in the late evening or night time, on many macro or close up shots, and so forth.
The same is true with cameras on cell phones. In addition, the best camera phone is often one with a Xenon flash versus and LED flash. They provide better lighting.