Just about every camera today has a built-in flash. And many of these cameras, especially single-lens-reflex (SLR) and Advanced Photo System (APS) models, accept powerful accessory flash units.
The thing about flash photography is that, without careful calculations or a flash diffuser, flash pictures often look harsh -- and have harsh shadows around the subjects and objects in the scene. The remedy for this situation is to turn off the flash and take a natural light picture -- also known as an available light picture.Indoor, natural light pictures are easier to take than ever before, thanks to advancements in 35mm and APS film technology. Today's fast films (ISO 400, 800 and 1,000) take sharper pictures with better color and finer grain than fast films of just a few years ago. That goes for color slide and color print films.
Here are several tips to help you get the most out of the new generation of films:
-- Steady as you shoot. Hold your camera as steady as you can when you press the shutter release. A slight jiggle can blur your picture. Also, if you have people in the frame, ask them to hold still -- unless you want to add action to your picture by including a blurry subject.
-- Get some support. Find a wall to lean against or a table to lean on. Naturally, you can use a tripod, too.
-- Choose a fast lens. Fast lenses (f/1.4) and f/2.8) let more light into your camera than slow lenses (f/4.5 and f/5.6), and therefore let you shoot at a faster speed -- which helps to prevent camera shake.
-- Shed some light on the situation. The brighter the room, the faster the shutter speed at which you can shoot. So, open up all the shades and curtains and turn on all the lights when you want the natural look.
-- Consider color. Table lamps and track lights add a color cast to indoor pictures. If you shoot prints, the color can be corrected in the photo lab. So, if your prints come back with poor color, ask for a remake. Color slides can't be corrected during processing. The remedy is to use tungsten slide film. Shooting black-and-white film is another option in tricky lighting situations.
-- Keep it even. When composing a picture, try not to include windows or bright lights in your frame. In other words, look for even lighting. If you don't, the bright areas of your picture may be washed out.
So, the next time you are tempted to turn on your flash, think about the softer lighting effect you'll get by working with natural light.