Do You Use Flash?
- Thread starter Moebelle
- Start date
Jackwow
Well-Known Member
I never use flash for any of the photography I do. If light is not good then I increase the ISO.
It does piss me off when in a zoo or aquarium and people continue to use flash when there are signs all over the place saying "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY". Occassionally I do point the signs out to them.
It does piss me off when in a zoo or aquarium and people continue to use flash when there are signs all over the place saying "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY". Occassionally I do point the signs out to them.
I put I don't mind, but I think it depends more on the situation. I've seen professional photographers use flash and I'm not sure what they do, but it didn't seem to affect the animals. I saw a video of Joel Saratore using it in his photo shoots. However, there was one time at the Buffalo Zoo where a woman was having a photo shoot with the gorillas constantly using flash nonstop. She was even hogging the window so no one could view them from that angle. I am hoping she was the amateur photographer that won first place in the zoo's contest for the gorilla photo that year.
Before digital came of age, it was often a necessity. I used to shoot ISO 100 slide film, so any indoor exhibits virtually required it. Never really liked the look, though, it was so harsh.
Since I got my 5Dmk2, with its incredible high ISO capabilities, I rarely use flash. More often than not, I do not even pack it in my camera bag. (And my camera does not have a built in flash - neither does my new point and shoot the Canon M). In indoor exhibits (reptile house or similar) I never use it - the look is so harsh it is just unappealing. The few times I do use it is more often during the day outdoors - to try to fill in harsh shadows (from the sun) or create a catchlight. In full sun, an electronic flash will have very little (if any) impact on the animal.
Since I got my 5Dmk2, with its incredible high ISO capabilities, I rarely use flash. More often than not, I do not even pack it in my camera bag. (And my camera does not have a built in flash - neither does my new point and shoot the Canon M). In indoor exhibits (reptile house or similar) I never use it - the look is so harsh it is just unappealing. The few times I do use it is more often during the day outdoors - to try to fill in harsh shadows (from the sun) or create a catchlight. In full sun, an electronic flash will have very little (if any) impact on the animal.
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Followup - since there was no option in the poll for "I use it occasionally" I did not vote.
"Yes- I'm all for it", means that you use it period with no worry of affecting the animal. So the first option would be for you. If you use it but still do worry, then you can choose the second option.
TheOnlineZoo
Well-Known Member
I use flash a lot - for almost every indoor exhibit and even some outdoor ones when it is overcast or there are dark shadows.
I always look for signs, but there rarely are any. I'd say maybe 10% of the nocturnal exhibits have signs, and about half of the octopus exhibits. Once I saw a sign on a cuttlefish display. That's about it.
Twice I have been chastised for using flash. Once by another customer who pointed out a sign that had been blocked by another person. No problem there. I apologized and moved on. The other time was by a staff member/docent. After her comment, I immediately stopped. I searched and searched for a sign, and there was not one. If you want people to follow a rule, you first have to tell them the rule. Signs are cheap.
While I use flash, I am conscious about how much I flash at a particular animal. I also think some species don't mind as much. Reptiles, for example, have never reacted.
As for hogging the view, I am a BIG guy, and I am very aware of the impact I have. I often wait a long time for my turn at an exhibit because people cut in front of me all of the time. I don't worry about that - I just wait. But once I get my turn, I want to enjoy it. Yes, I probably stay at an exhibit twice as long as the average person, but I've usually waited three or four times as long before I get that turn.
Obviously, I don't know the details about the lady you mentioned, and I don't mean to imply that you were generalizing. But some people blow through exhibits extremely fast and get annoyed at those who want to take their time and enjoy.
TheOnlineZoo
Well-Known Member
These descriptions change the meaning of the original options. Being "all for it" does not mean that I don't care about the impact on the animal. It means I have no problem using flash when appropriate. If I make an informed choice and decide that flash is acceptable in a particular situation, then there is nothing for me to feel guilty about.
I'm sorry but I will admit that I could not comprehend what you were trying to say
This thread is not just trying to see if you use it but to see what your opinion is on the matter. Voting for "All for it" implies that you use flash, and are not concerned if an animal is in the shot (meaning you aren't worried that the animal might be bothered by the flash).
You should have said all this to start with. I wasn't even sure we were talking about animals either (but I figured we were). I have a flash and I'm happy to use it. If an animal reacts negatively, then I won't use it on that individual again. I rarely (i.e. almost never) use it in Nocturnal Houses or other buildings where there are signs prohibiting it. But I gave no issue with using it outside as a fill-in. Nor do I have a problem using it on people.
Hix
Hix
TheOnlineZoo
Well-Known Member
Then I change my vote to "none of the above". The answer I would have chosen would say "I am all for it as long as I think it is appropriate after considering the impact on the animals, the impact on the other guests, and the rules established by the facility."
I haven't voted. Although I haven't used flash for years, in the past I used it a great deal, but only under certain circumstances:
Alan
- in public collections, when and where it was allowed
- with my own animals (fishes & a few amphibians in aquariums)
- in private collections, with the permission of the owner
Alan
I'd be hoping she wasn't!
Elephas Maximus
Well-Known Member
I don't use flash now with zoo animals.
However, I sometimes take pics of an animal's part if it's close to fence, but the flash is not directed to animal's eyes in any way. For example, shooting the foot pad of a fossa that's resting right behind the glass.
And flash doesn't affect the invertebrates
However, I sometimes take pics of an animal's part if it's close to fence, but the flash is not directed to animal's eyes in any way. For example, shooting the foot pad of a fossa that's resting right behind the glass.
And flash doesn't affect the invertebrates
Varanidae
Member
I use flash a lot, even outside in daylight, because I do not use the flash as a tool to enlighten a dark area/room/enclosure, but more as some extra light or to help light the scene in a different way. When photographing a scene that is already dark a flash only makes it worse, then it is better to turn the ISO up a bit and capture that dark atmosphere without the flash.
So when thinking of the animals, a flash in an already bright scene will not have the same sudden blinding effect as it would have in a dark scene. That we all can relate to. Also using a diffuser will soften the effect a bit, make the light more comfortable.
Out of curiosity, why are some of you against it? I mean there are several reasons to not use flash, I mentioned a few. Is it because of the animals being disturbed, other visitors being disturbed, making the pictures worse, etc?
I agree that an animal in a dark scene will get disturbed by a flash, that is also the reason I do not use a flash in those situations, also because it ruins the image. Another scenario is in say for example a reptile house, they are often a bit dark to set the mood, firing of multiple flashes in a room like that would definitely disturb me as a visitor in there. So I understand all the pros and cons, but believe I get around those quite well while still using flash a lot, just in the right circumstances.
So when thinking of the animals, a flash in an already bright scene will not have the same sudden blinding effect as it would have in a dark scene. That we all can relate to. Also using a diffuser will soften the effect a bit, make the light more comfortable.
Out of curiosity, why are some of you against it? I mean there are several reasons to not use flash, I mentioned a few. Is it because of the animals being disturbed, other visitors being disturbed, making the pictures worse, etc?
I agree that an animal in a dark scene will get disturbed by a flash, that is also the reason I do not use a flash in those situations, also because it ruins the image. Another scenario is in say for example a reptile house, they are often a bit dark to set the mood, firing of multiple flashes in a room like that would definitely disturb me as a visitor in there. So I understand all the pros and cons, but believe I get around those quite well while still using flash a lot, just in the right circumstances.
Elephas Maximus
Well-Known Member
Blind animas can be photographed with flash - they don't bother 
You are an exception, most people don't even know how to turn the flash off on their camera, they use the flash repeatedly and indiscriminately when it must make the picture far worse because of reflections from glass. It is very annoying for me, maybe the animals don't care but repeated flashing would bug me, maybe they don't run from one flash but that doesn't mean constant flashing isn't rather wearing.
So if you are having special access to an exhibit and are using flash specifically with knowledge then I don't have an issue, or as you say a bit of fill-in in the light but I am against using flash normally in an exhibit, even if you are using from a position of knowledge, because you are just reinforcing the notion that flash flash flash is the norm!
wensleydale
Well-Known Member
Even though I put that I never use flash, I do sometimes, but not most of the time. Typically I am either a) not in a situation that requires it b) photographing an animal (I have no desire to spook them, so no flash), or c) photographing something at an art museum, such places usually forbid flash, and also tripods. It has to do with keeping the collection in good condition, and allowing everyone in the galleries a chance to actually see everything. Also, with varnished paintings flash will reflect back do you won't get a good photo anyway.
No, because I follow the zoo's rules.