A recurring question in photography is whether it is better to use continuous light or flash. Well, I’ll tell you in advance that there is no correct answer to this question because each one has its own applications, its advantages and disadvantages.
Within the world of lighting, it is practically impossible to conceive of working without a combination of both if what we want is to be versatile and photograph all kinds of scenarios.
A portrait is not the same as a still life, a moving image is not the same as a static one, and the same type of lighting does not apply to some as to others. Let’s see when, how and why to use one type of lighting and not another 😉 .
Before continuing, as I see that the subject of lighting interests you, I recommend that you also take a look at our complete guide to lighting in photography, where we collect all our lighting tips and tricks.
continuous light
The continuous light It is the one that emits light continuously while it is on. From the outset, it is easier to use for the simple fact that we see directly what the result of the photograph will be like. That, to the newly initiated (and not so recently initiated) can make us opt for it initially.
Advantages of continuous light versus external flash
We have already discussed one of the most obvious advantages of continuous light, but we are going to see more:
- It is easier to use, since we see the result “live”.
- We can correct the angle, zoom in or out seeing the effect instantly.
- Exposing is therefore easier, since the camera’s exposure meter receives the information from the light it “sees”.
- It can be used for both video recording and photography.
- tungsten lights they are cheaper, easier to find and have a good quality light.
- the led lights They tend to be more expensive, but they do not give off heat, they consume less, they are more portable and in the long run they are a better investment.
- They do not generate annoying flashes as the flash does.
Disadvantages of continuous light versus external flash
Not all that glitters is gold. Let’s see the drawbacks associated with continuous light:
- They have little power (compared to the flash), so they force you to use:
- high ISO values
- wide open diaphragms
- slow speeds
- They need to be connected to power.
- They take up more space.
- tungsten lights they generate a lot of heat, consume a lot of energy and are delicate.
- the led lights low quality can be flickering and somewhat harsh. Like everything, the more you invest, the better quality you will have.
Continuous light is ideal for…
Photography of still life, product or other static objects, where it does not matter that the shutter speed is slow.
They can be used for portraits, as long as we do not seek to freeze the movement or a diaphragm opening that is too closed, bearing in mind that tungsten lights generate a lot of heat (not LED lights).
If you mix photography and video, you will definitely need a continuous light source, such as a ring light for portraits.
You can delve into continuous lighting (both natural and artificial) in our dedicated article on continuous lighting.
external flash
The flash is a punctual and powerful light that is activated at the moment of shooting (in this guide you can delve into the external flash, resolve doubts and discover what you have to look for when buying one). It is a great unknown and there is nothing worse than ignorance to not dare to try, but the truth is that studio photography is not conceived without good flash management.
This opens up endless creative possibilities, especially because of its power and portability.
Advantages of external flash versus continuous light
Let’s see the advantages of flash:
- has a lot higher power than a continuous light, which means that it allows you to use:
- low ISO values ​​and therefore retain greater sharpness.
- higher speeds (especially if they synchronize at high speed HSS).
- closed diaphragms.
- It doesn’t get hot.
- It is much smaller and more portable.
- It is controlled from the flash itself, there is no need to move to adjust the intensity.
- They work on batteries (they do not need to be connected directly to the current).
- Its light is white and without color cast.
Disadvantages of external flash versus continuous light
If we fear flash so much it is because it has some disadvantages that make it a challenge to work with it 😉
The external flash is ideal for…
- Food
- Product
- Portrait (not for sensitive people, babies or pets)
- high speed photography
And the price?
Well, like everything. The range is immense although, in principle, it is easier to get a good flash at an affordable price than a good continuous light at a low price.
Now, as you have seen, although all the accessories are lighting, their uses can be quite different, so in the long run, if you want to cover as many situations as possible in your studio, you will end up needing both types of light.
How to choose between continuous light and flash?
The answer is simple. There’s no need. Both lights can and do coexist in most studios.
Now, if you are only interested in a very specific type of photography, then go to assess which of the two types of lighting is ideal for you and investigate the best option.
Here are good flash options for Olympus, Sony, Pentax, Nikon, Fuji, or Canon cameras, as well as a complete guide to help you choose the best one.
If you opt for continuous light, in this article you will find advice on continuous light, types of lights, etc.
If you are looking for the best of both worlds, I present you with an interesting option for the studio, which allows you to use it as a flash and as a continuous light, the Godox fv150:
Is it already clear to you what type of continuous light is ideal for you? You will see how many times it is not necessary to choose, but you will end up using both to broaden your photographic horizons.
Now yes, I say goodbye until the next article. Remember to share it if you think it might be interesting for other people who love photography. Thank you and see you next time.