The Canon Rebel's flash feature allows its user to photograph subjects in indoor environments, environments with low light, and when backlighting is problematic. Part of correctly knowing use the flash feature is knowing when to use the flash. It is also important to understand that the flash has a limited range so that its user can compensate for distance. Finally, red-eye produced by the flash can be effectively minimized with the Canon Rebel's red-eye reduction feature.
Using the Flash
The flash should be used indoors, in low light, or when faced with backlight conditions. "Backlight" occurs when the source of light is behind the object to be photographed. Backlighting will cause the camera to reduce its exposure time, thereby rendering the desired object into a near-silhouette. Using the flash in backlit situations will illuminate the desired object, making it clear. To use the flash, first open it by pressing the flash button on the face of the camera next to the lens. The flash button is designated by a lightning bolt symbol. Press the shutter button down halfway, then wait for the lighting bolt symbol in the viewfinder to illuminate. Press the shutter button down completely. The flash will fire and the camera will take the picture.
Flash's Range
The camera's flash is only effective for a limited distance. The effectiveness is determined by the "film's" ISO speed and the distance between the camera and the object to be photographed. ISO speed refers to the amount of time which light must strike the film for the image to be captured. Although the Rebel is a digital camera, and therefore does not use film, ISO speed is still used by Canon as a reference. Common ISO speeds include 200, 400 and 800. The lower the ISO speed, the lower the flash's effectiveness. If the Rebel is equipped with a wide-angle lens (18 mm), the flash will only be effective for 17 feet with an ISO speed of 200, and 34 feet with an ISO speed of 800. If a telephoto lens is used (55 mm), the flash's effectiveness diminishes because the lens does not allow as much light to reach the "film" as with a wide angle lens. For example, with an ISO speed of 200, the flash will only be effective for 11 feet with the telephoto lens. With an ISO speed of 800, the flash will only be effective for 22 feet.
Reducing Red-Eye
"Red-eye" is used to describe a condition in which the pupils of people and animals in a photograph are red. Red-eye occurs if the flash is too close to the subject; the light produced by the flash enters the eyes and is then reflected into the camera's lens. The Canon Rebel has a red-eye reduction feature that can minimize and sometimes eliminate red-eye. To activate red-eye reduction, first press the "Menu" button above the LCD display. Use the arrow buttons to the right of the LCD display to move the cursor to the "Red-eye On/Off" tab which appears on the display. Press the "Set" button in the middle of the arrow buttons to turn the red-eye reduction feature on, then use the flash as you normally would.
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