Using variable power flash units will allow you to balance your flash with ambient light.
Learning to balance light between available ambient light and flash will produce pictures that have a more natural look to them. To get the most of being able to balance flash and ambient light, ideally you will be using a single lens reflex camera and a separate through the lens flash unit with variable output settings.
Instructions
1. Turn the camera on. Set ISO to 400, set the exposure program to "aperture priority" and set the aperture to f8. Meter for the available ambient light and see that the corresponding shutter speed is within the range for flash synchronization.
2. Adjust the flash output to one full stop less than the ambient light reading. This can usually be done either through the camera, using the flash exposure compensation adjustment or on the back of the flash unit itself provided it has controls to do so.
3. Take the picture. If using a digital camera, review the picture to see whether the exposure is correct and make adjustments where necessary. In most cases, setting the flash one stop below the ambient reading will provide a more even-looking, natural picture. In some cases, depending on how strong the ambient light is, the flash setting may need to be set at different levels to produce the desired results. With practice and experience, you will develop an ability to evaluate the light and the settings for the flash.
Tags: ambient light, ambient light, ambient light flash, available ambient, available ambient light, flash unit, light flash
