new Flash ----help!!!

[sriki84]

hello guys,

Well i m new at photography and have been at it for just bout 6 months now.. I am persuing it as a passion rather than profession. I have a Canon Xti with the standard kit lense and the 75-300mm telephoto lense.

I was planning to invest in a external Flash for my camera. But the first thing I wanted to know is that Do i really need one? Here is a list of my general situations where i shoot.

1. Parties, plently of em.. especially indoors. --this implies a lot of potraits.
2. Macro shots --- ocassionally.
3. Landscaps -- i know i don need a flash for this..

If i do need a external flash any suggestions for the same please???

Thanks.:thumbup:

 

[Wolverinepwnes]

as you mentioned you like to take pictures indoor (parties, portraits,...) a flash makes a world of difference in the quality and presentation of the pictures. a good rule of thumb with flashes is to invest 1/3 of the price of your camera body on a flash. also, for later on consider investing in a good 50mm lens f/1.8 or f/1.4. they are priceless when in comes to indoor shooting and low light situation, but thats for later on! so get a flash, do your research , and read articles on flash photography, and learn so that when you do get you can take full advantage of it!

 

[Opher]

For any shooting indoors it is general a good idea to have a flash. I got mine 2 or 3 moths ago and it has made my indoor shots so much better.

I have the Canon Speedlight 430EX II. Works for what i need and then some. I have ordered some remote trigers to but they have not come in yet.

Mostly if you are shooting indoors get a flash with an adjustable/swivel head.

 

[Felix0890]

To add to what the others have said, some macro shots come out bad due to some harsh lighting. A flash is helpful in making the subject have a softer look - especially important in shooting flowers. Also, it allows you to pick a faster shutter speed on overcast days so that you can freeze insects mid-flight and give them that hovering look.

I myself haven't gotten a flash yet because I'm saving up for a macro lens first. For now I use natural reflectors that I find lying around and/or maximize the use of natural lighting by changing the subject's position when possible.

 

[Village Idiot]

To add to what the others have said, some macro shots come out bad due to some harsh lighting. A flash is helpful in making the subject have a softer look - especially important in shooting flowers. Also, it allows you to pick a faster shutter speed on overcast days so that you can freeze insects mid-flight and give them that hovering look.

I myself haven't gotten a flash yet because I'm saving up for a macro lens first. For now I use natural reflectors that I find lying around and/or maximize the use of natural lighting by changing the subject's position when possible.

Close but no cigar. Unless you're using HSS (for most camera/speedlight combinations), you're limited to the camera's x sync, which is 1/250 for most Canon cameras. What stops the motion of insects will be the duration of the flash from the speedlight. It can flash as up to and over 1/15,000 of a second for some small strobes; that's what stops the motion, not having an increased shutter speed.

 

[sriki84]

Thanks everyone for the responses..i took a look at the flashes and am reading bout the flash photography as well..
hopefully there is something affordable out there that i can use to improve my macro and portrai shots.. ...

Thanks once again..

:thumbup: