ADD FLASH TO LANDSCAPES

Master the use of artificial light to create a balanced and colourful exposure

Use fill flash to boost your landscapes when shooting in shaded locations

While flash is synonymous with portrait and event photography, many photographers would not consider the use of a speedlight as a beneficial technique when shooting landscapes. Scenic imagery usually focuses on the interplay of natural light – often that found at sunrise or sunset – and the land, so almost all attention is directed on controlling ambient conditions. However there are occasions where the light provided by nature is difficult to shape to your requirements. This is often encountered when shooting in shaded locations, such as at the base of high cliffs, or under a forest canopy, where significant light fall-off results in underexposed foregrounds. While this may not cause irretrievable loss of shadow detail, colours can become dulled and a sensation of lost depth introduced.

In these circumstances, blending in a small amount of fill light from an external flash can lift shadows and add shaping to foreground elements. Care must be taken to avoid the artificial illumination from becoming too evident, the mostly likely cause of which is a discrepancy in the relative temperature of the natural and additional flash lighting. If used in moderation, flash can give your landscape shots a unique sense of energy. This technique works best when foreground objects are relatively equidistant to the camera.

ALLIMAGES©PETERFENECH Inset UNEVEN LIGHTING The strong evening light illuminates thetop half of the frame noticeably more than the close foreground, producing anintrusive dark gradient

BEFORE

1ATTACH AN EXTERNAL FLASH It is highly advisable to use an external flash, as built-in units tend to produce inadequate coverage – at wide focal lengths the lens barrel will cast an unsightly, distracting shadow.

2USE A DIFFUSER/WIDE PANEL To extend the evenness of the flash over the foreground, employ the wide panel and reflector card on the flash unit. Aim the flash at 45° and zoom the head to the widest setting.

3METER THE SCENE Use Evaluative metering to assess the general exposure, working with exposure compensation to control scene brightness. Keep an eye on the highlights to ensure detail across the tonal range.