12 replies to this topic

[Curlybird]

When it is really overcast outside, and I'm trying to photograph birds, should I use my flash?  I've never done it this way but I think others on this forum have.  My pictures when it's overcast come out really bad, and it's a shame because twice now (recently) I've seen Western Tanagers, and both times it's been overcast, so the pics come out really dark, even when I try adjusting my camera to a lighter exposure setting. 

Also, if flash should be used in these situations, would it scare off the subject?

[dudleydocker]

You have to be pretty close for the built-in flash to be effective as a fill flash. But yes, it can be very helpful in an appropriate setting. And, no, if you are already close enough to use the flash, it won't disturb the birds (in my experience). If you have an external flash, that would extend your useful range.

dd

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[Curlybird]

Great - thanks; I'll try it next time and see what happens.

[jetmedix]

Curlybird, what setting are you shooting with? I too shoot with the Canon s5IS, and it is really tough to get good shots in low light. I shoot in AV mode most of the time with auto ISO, but if it is overcast or dawn/dusk, I switch the iso to a higher setting. Like this I get grainy pictures but they are not blurred. I also keep my white balance setting on cloudy regardless of the light conditions and it seems to help a little. I really like the S5 for the price, but it can be frustrating when you are trying to photograph a good bird who is cooperating and all you get is blur from the low light conditions.

[Liam]

With my SX20 IS if you use flash, it'll actually make the photo darker, I just raise the e/v. It works, but the photos come out really crappy.

[dudleydocker]

If you have an EVF, the S5 does, not sure about the SX20, in low light use the M (manual) mode with the flash. You'll have to experiment a bit with the flash settings at various distances. M mode and the electronic viewfinder can be VERY useful in difficult lighting, with or without the flash.

[Curlybird]

Thanks all - actually, my camera is a Nikon Coolpix L100 and adjustments to the lighting, etc., is limited on this camera.

Actually, I tried using the flash today but didn't see any real improvement (it was another cloudy day).  I guess it's not powerful enough to do any good in an outdoor setting.

Luckily, I'm in So CA and there aren't too many overcast days (however we do get the June "gloom" in the mornings around this time of year)

[jetmedix]

My mistake Curlybird, I though you had the S5!

[thekiwi]

Curlybird

if you have your camera set to auto it may be a good Idea to read your manual on how to set the ISO maxium when using the auto feature of your camera if you are using anyone of the program modes ie P A S M then you may need to increase the ISO as to allow the sensor to use what light is availible.

Now having said all of that yes you can use your flash as a fill and this is also a good practice if you use flash if you are shooting birds in a tree. The flash will not affect the birds or there behavour.

Now here is another bit of information overcast conditions are sometimes the best light to photograph in as is sunrise and sunset.

[lyceel]

Liam:

With my SX20 IS if you use flash, it'll actually make the photo darker

The only reason the photo is darker is because the flash isn't powerful enough to reach the subject.

When you use flash, the camera sets the shutter speed to a fixed value (typically 1/60 of a second, but it can be as fast as 1/250 or more on better cameras).  When you shoot, the camera fires the flash and leaves it on long enough to capture the right amount of light to get a good exposure.  The flash can only stay on so long, though.  If the flash isn't up to the task, the picture will come out underexposed because of the quicker shutter speed.

If you can get close enough to the subject for your flash, you can indeed use it to add light to the scene.  Even on a bright, sunny day, flash can be very useful for diminishing shadows and bringing out color on birds in the shade.  If you can use an external flash on your camera (some P&S cameras have a hotshoe for an external flash unit), they're typically much more powerful than built-in flashes.  Also, you can buy a flash extender (the "Better Beamer" is a popular one of these) for an external flash to get more range.

[Julie H]

I have to laugh...

Last year when I was desperately trying to photograph my little Elf Owls after dark, I went out there with a flashlight under one arm and my camera in the other. I would hear the little guys yipping, and shine my flash at one and try to use that as lighting for the shot. A two handed effort. If anyone had been able to see me do this they would have thought I was nuts!

I now have a Canon 50D, a little more sensitive than my 40D. I have more settings for ISO. But so far, the June bugs are not out yet, and I think that's when the Elf Owls fledge. They love those June beetles. We are late this year in everything. The rains only stopped a few weeks ago. If I get anything good, you bet I'll be postin'!

Julie

[Liam]

lyceel:

Liam:

With my SX20 IS if you use flash, it'll actually make the photo darker

The only reason the photo is darker is because the flash isn't powerful enough to reach the subject.

When you use flash, the camera sets the shutter speed to a fixed value (typically 1/60 of a second, but it can be as fast as 1/250 or more on better cameras).  When you shoot, the camera fires the flash and leaves it on long enough to capture the right amount of light to get a good exposure.  The flash can only stay on so long, though.  If the flash isn't up to the task, the picture will come out underexposed because of the quicker shutter speed.

If you can get close enough to the subject for your flash, you can indeed use it to add light to the scene.  Even on a bright, sunny day, flash can be very useful for diminishing shadows and bringing out color on birds in the shade.  If you can use an external flash on your camera (some P&S cameras have a hotshoe for an external flash unit), they're typically much more powerful than built-in flashes.  Also, you can buy a flash extender (the "Better Beamer" is a popular one of these) for an external flash to get more range.

Thanks! My camera can go from 15 sec. to 1/1600 sec. I can also get a flashgun for it too. It has the hotshoe. It also has Slow Sync flash.

[Renodesertfox]

If you use the flash that is located under the "hot shoe" it really only has an effective range of 10', that is if your iso is set to 100. But as fill, non-sense. One should be under 10' any way to photograph a bird. Then the added burst of light will help fill in shadow detail.

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

 The technique for fill flash is based on a normal exposure. I use Nikon & Cannon gear but the process is almost similar. Set your camera to manual mode (I can also use Aperture priority) and dial in the proper exposure on the camera body with no regard to flash power first. I then set the flash power (this is set on the flash itself with Nikon) at -1/3 to -2/3 for a very dark subject and -1 1/3 to -2 for a light colored subject and take the exposure. I have the flash mode set to TTL (or matrix TTL.) The normal exposure must be slower than the "sync" speed of your camera. If the normal exposure is faster than the "sync" just stop down a bit until you bring the exposure to this speed or slower. If your're shooting in very bright light conditions, a slow 100 ISO becomes appropriate. On a dreary day you won' get faster than 1/125 at f5.6 for the normal exposure with ISO 100 film. If you dial in a minus compensation for the flash it will be fill flash and not the main light for the exposure. Many people suggest that one should have a separation between the normal exposure and the fill flash power of at least one stop, but I have had good luck with -1/3 and -2/3 on some wood ducks. It takes some experimentation, but the results are really nice. I hope this helps. If you have a dslr or a point-n-shoot that information can be seen in your camera manual. I don't know what kind of tool(camera) you use, yet it pays dividends to read the manual more than once!