Yes, I know. I know we made you run from the flash integrated from your camera as if it were the plague (or the coronavirus 😷 ). But the truth is that, hey, it has its uses. For something the designers of these cameras strive to add it model after model.
Today I would like us to see how the integrated flash can be useful in your photographs, how we can try to “bend” it for our own benefit, and how we can turn it into an ally when we do not have an external flash or do not carry it with us (to know more about the external flash, I recommend this very complete guide that we have prepared for you).
Because of course, one of the main advantages of a built-in flash is that you always carry it on top of the camera and that it always has a battery (if the camera has one, you know what I mean). Now, for that reason, we should give it a try, don’t you think? 😉
Learn to control exposure
To learn to control the flash, the first thing we should know perfectly is control the three variables of the exposure triangle. Here’s a quick review of the 3 variables: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
ISO
It is the sensitivity of the sensor to light. The higher the ISO value, the more sensitive the sensor becomes (it is capable of capturing more light) but, in turn, the noise in the image increases, which affects the final sharpness of the shot.
On the other hand, the lower the value, the lower the ability to capture light, but at the same time the greater the sharpness. You can see it in the following graph.
shutter speed
It is the speed at which the camera shutter opens and closes. At high speeds, motion freezes as the shutter opens and closes very quickly. On the other hand, at slow speeds the movement is imprinted on the sensor.
On the other hand, the shutter opening time also influences the light that the sensor is capable of capturing. When the sensor is open for a short time (fast speed, x eg 1/5000s) less light enters than if it is open for a longer time (slow speed 1/5s).
Here is a video where Mario explains it to you perfectly, in case you are more into videos 😉
diaphragm opening
It is the opening through which the light enters through the diaphragm sheets or blades to our sensor. Or, what is the same, the hole in our lens through which we capture the image.
The more open the diaphragm is, the more light passes to the lens and at the same time the depth of field or area in focus in the image is reduced. On the contrary, the more closed the diaphragm is, the less light passes to the lens and the greater the depth of field or area in focus in the image.
diaphragm opening
Once mastered the exposure triangle variables (Aperture, ISO and shutter speed), you will be able to work perfectly with your camera’s manual mode and control any situation that comes your way, including the built-in flash ;).
Set the built-in flash to manual mode
If you have a reflex camera, it will most likely allow you to choose between the classic TTL which is usually configured by default, or the Manual mode. Look for this option in your camera menu.
TTL: From the TTL system (Through the lense) we can say that it would be the automatic mode of a camera in flash version. With the TTL system, the camera decides based on exposure and distance, the duration and intensity of the flash for each scene.
Manual: In this case, we decide what power the flash will have according to the parameters of our shot.
Depending on make and model, the location may be different, but it should be something like: Menu->Custom settings menu->Bracketing/flash->Built-in flash control->TTL/Manual (and others).
Use it as a fill flash
One of the most interesting applications of built-in flash is the possibility of using it as fill flash in those scenes that have marked shadows that do not interest you, for example unwanted shadows in portraits.
By controlling the exposure and intensity of the flash output, you can eliminate or soften shadows. To do this, you must set it to produce a flash with less than ambient light.
The built-in flash will be very useful for portraits against the light or with harsh lights that cause shadows that are too marked.
Experimenting is key in photography, but in lighting in particular it is even more important if possible. Try from more to less intensity until you find the right result.
Get a diffuser for the flash
Yes, there are also for built-in flashes. Here you have an example for only €9.90, although you can help yourself with material to walk around the house such as tissue paper, a napkin, a sheet of paper, etc. carefully placed on top of the flash tied with a rubber band, for example.
Look at the range of your flash
In the Technical specifications of your camera model, you will be able to see the range that your flash really has. You may find the scope designated as Guide number, which is how the range of the flash is known.
The average range of a built-in flash is usually around 5 meters, and may be less or more depending on your camera. The ideal, as I have said, is that you know the range of your flash, since outside this range, it will not help you much.
Likewise, it will not work very well for you in a very close-up, always look for a distance within the optimal operating range.
The ideal is that you practice a lot with it and learn to know and modify its power through practice.
Use it only when you need it
Don’t let the flash dominate you or decide for you. That’s when the results it offers are terrible 😉 . Set it to only activate when you want it, don’t let it open and fire automatically for the world.
What did you think of this article? Would you dare to practice and give your camera’s built-in flash a try? As I mentioned at the beginning, one of the main advantages is that it always goes with you and you always have it ready. Knowing how to use it can offer you some very interesting creative opportunities.
I hope you are encouraged to use it, I believe that the more tools we have at our disposal, the better, the more wings our creativity has. So now you know, let’s practice! 🙂 Share it if you found it useful. Thank you and see you soon.