Electronic fill flash has changed what was once an arduous and calculating intensive task into an easy and powerful feature any beginning photographer can master. Prior to the introduction of computers into camera bodies and flash units, flash to subject distances and ambient light readings had to be calculated to make the shot right. Today, camera manufacturers have incorporated automated fill flash into many of their point and shoot models. More sophisticated 35mm SLR bodies allow the photographer to automatically adjust the amount of fill to ambient light when using a dedicated flash.
Midday sunlight falling on a subject makes it look flat. The subject lacks dimensionality, shape and texture. Eye sockets become black holes void of any detail or expression. Shadows under the nose appear awkward. Through the use of fill flash, the shadow areas can be lightened, show details, and yield a more pleasing effect. Additionally, catch lights are added to the eyes. This gives them sparkle and makes the person appear more life like.
In the two images seen here, the first is a straight shot while the second has fill flash augmentation. In the straight shot, the hat casts an ugly shadow across the model’s face. There is no detail in the eyes giving her an expressionless appearance. The exposure difference between the dark facial areas and the highlights in the rest of the image exceeds an acceptable contrast ratio. For the fill flashed shot, I dialed down the power on the back of the flash to minus two thirds. My standard compensation for fill flash is minus one and two thirds, but in this case, the dark shadow cast by the hat required more light to cancel it out.
The amount of fill has a big impact on the success of the image. The goal is to use just enough to make the image appear natural. The contrast between the dark and bright areas should be reduced, yet not look artificial. The more you use fill flash to improve your images, your instinct to judge just how much you’ll need will become natural.
