Week 2 Research

·         What does the term ‘bounce flash’ mean and why would you use this technique?

Bounce flash refers to the light from the flash, not being pointed directly at the given subject. Flash from a Speedlite can be quite harsh and by diffusing the flash would give a softer light. This can be done by using large reflectors that are commonly available in rooms where you shoot − the ceiling and walls. Aiming the flash at one of these surfaces reflects and diffuses the flash, giving much softer lighting for your subject. This is called ‘bounce flash’ photography.

·         What does the term fill flash mean and why would you use it?

Fill flash is a technique used to brighten deep shadow areas, typically outdoors on sunny days. This technique is useful when shooting and the background is significantly brighter than the subject of the photograph – backlit subjects or during the middle of the day and you are getting harsh shadows on your subject’s faces. To use fill flash, the aperture and shutter speed are adjusted to correctly expose the background, and the flash is fired to lighten the foreground.

·         When working in daylight, how could you use flash as a main light and daylight as a fill, describe it?

You are shooting a couple and there is heavy backlighting which means their faces are in shadow and by using a fill light you will illuminate their faces compensating for the backlighting. In this case the flash is the key light.