Coveted Photography Toys: External Flash

So everyone knows about that little pop up flash on most digital SLRs and how they can give some unflattering images. That direct, artificial light blasting at your eyeballs and forehead don’t always make for beautiful portraits. Since shooting manual, there has been virtually no occasion to use my pop up. Even indoors, I am able to manipulate the settings to gather an appropriate levels of light.

But ever since renting the Canon Speedlite 580EX II a few months back, I have learned how artificial light, directed properly, can vastly improve your ability to capture illusive moments. It is amazing! There is a ton of control in the amount, direction and strobe of the light that the external flash creates, making for a gentle warming of the skin. This awesome thing also attaches right on top of your camera {in what is commonly called the “hot shoe”}, so all your settings are synched together.

If I were to ever get this pretty gem, there would be lots to learn. Even just leaning how to work with exposure compensation alone would be an undertaking. Fun, fun! To go with my coveted photography toy, I would also want this cool gary fong diffuser to further soften the directional light.

Although this is a great piece of equipment, I still wonder if I would use it often. I recently shot a couple boudoir sessions that would have benefited from additional lighting, but most of my photography these days has been outdoors. Also, there are a few lenses out there that are calling my name that I will likely save for before committing to an external flash…

Photography is seeping into my soul. I love everything about it, including all its fantastic gadgets. Love ’em! Not loving the cost of all this stuff though! Ha!