When to Use Flash (and Why) in Your Photography

Flash is not a necessary component of a great portrait photography image. In fact, when used without intention or when used incorrectly, adding flash can have a negative effect on an image. It can destroy all of the interesting shadows in a scene, and it can even create an artificial, unnatural look to an image. However, there is a time and place for flash photography; and in this article, we’ll teach you when to use flash and give you 5 reasons to use it in your photography. We’ll review the following reasons:

Watch the Video | 5 Reasons to Use Flash

But first, for those who prefer to learn with video content, watch the Youtube video below. This video is a snippet from our Lighting 101 course within SLR Lounge Premium.

#1: Control the of Light (of any scene)

The first reason to use flash is to control the light in any scene. Regardless of the time of day or the lighting of a location, a mastery of flash allows you to control the light.