How to Use Flash for Outdoor Portraits

Using the camera flash for outdoor portraits can help you get rid of unwanted shadows.

Outdoor portraits are popular for senior pictures, weddings, families and many other special occasions. Unfortunately, the sun only provides picturesque light very early in the morning and late evening. While many plan their photo shoots around these times, others want to find a way to create great images during the day. The problem is that many outdoor portraits are ruined by a high-hanging sun. The overhanging light casts unflattering shadows that can make even the prettiest faces look bad. Luckily photographers can use a few techniques with their camera's flash to avoid these problems.

Instructions

1. Look up the range of your flash in your camera manual. Flash ranges vary from camera to camera, but most consumer cameras allow users to stand as much as 15 feet away from their subjects before the flash starts to underexpose.

2. Position your subjects so that the sun shines from behind and slightly to the side. Doing this will make the sun a back light, separating the contour of the face and body from the background. It also will prevent the sun from putting scattered shadows on the subject's face, leaving an even shadow for the flash to brighten.

3. Take several exposures while adjusting the flash's power. Most flashes have exposure compensation adjustment options. Testing out several exposure levels will help you get the best shot possible.

4. Avoid shooting at noon as the sun tends to cast unflattering shadows on the faces of subjects. Common photographic maladies, such as darkened "raccoon" eyes, are caused by harsh midday sunlight. If you have no other choice, do whatever you can to keep the overhanging sun completely out of the face of your subject. Having your subject look downward towards the ground, while you shoot from a low angle, is helpful for blocking out the harsh light. Take advantage of shady areas to keep the sun out whenever possible.

5. Find a shady area to place your subjects. Doing this keeps the sun out of their faces but allows you to continue working with a lit outdoor background. The camera flash will be able to light the subjects evenly, and you will be free of distracting shadows.

References

• Best Digital Photography: Outdoor Portrait Tips
• Creative Pro: Shoot Better Outdoor Portraits