Learn how to use the flash on the street

The use of flash on the street

To photograph with flash on the street, especially for Street Photography, is a controversial topic. Loved and hated, I have a certain idea on the subject.

In 2011 I realized REALITY REMADE, a project still very appreciated where I created ghosts using the flash and the intentional movement of the camera. And I think the use of flash can be inspiring to make some creative artistic work. Flash is also used in editorial and photojournalism, of course. Using the flash, especially at night, allows you to take home photos that would otherwise be impossible. The aesthetic that is obtained is however often paparazzi, in which the presence of the photographer is felt. This is why I feel that flash produces a great effect, and from this point of view I consider flash a resource that is a bit clever, which some abuse, effectively creating their entire photographic journey dependent on the use of flash, day and night.

While I tend to use it in certain situations justified by a particular effect that I want to give to a certain project, as in the aforementioned Reality Remade or in Oaxaca to offer a phantasmagorical dynamic to the catrinas and calaveras in times of dia de muertos celebrations, other photographers have made the use of flash a trademark of their visual research. It is perfectly fine while I think anyone can do what they want. But you will agree with me that in a certain way flash transforms even a trivial thing into something very artistic and, at that point, interesting. The surreal aesthetic, even a little like a police survey, allows you to get wow photos in a simpler way than with natural light. Just recently I saw a video in which a New York girl who works editorially photographed a couple of fish for sale at a local market. Those flashed fish would have been a very banal photograph without flash. The flash makes everything more artistic and surreal: this in my view is its great advantage but also its greatest limitation. Once you get over the fear of using the flash on people, and you're also willing to be more likely to be confronted, you will be a flash street photographer, making with little effort photos that look great and are much appreciated.

The use of flash makes even a crude and mediocre photographer appear to be at least an interesting photographer.

But I won't be the one to condemn the use of flash. Sometimes it´s just fun to use flash. Sometimes, as in the case of cities with little light (Oaxaca and Mexico City), it is really the only possible recourse.

In this post I will not make the list of how many ways to use flash you have. You know already that you can use the built-in flash of the camera or an external unit, maybe used in syncro, connected on the hotshoe of your camera or remote controlled by a transmittor. I just share 2 modes, 2 simple modes to obtain a different result. It all depends on the aesthetic you are most interested in:

NIGHT SHOOTING SETTINGS

CREATIVE MODE (GHOSTS)

APERTURE: F8-F16/22

SHUTTER SPEED: 1/4--1/8

ISO: 100-400

EDITORIAL MODE

APERTURE F5.6-8

SHUTTER SPEED 1/200

ISO: 1600-3200

In editorial mode with slight camera shake (ICM) you will not obtain ghosts but there will still be room for a sensation of movement, giving the image a dynamism that can sometimes be very effective, even in editorial work situations.

The built-in flash contrary to what many think it can be a very valid solution. If you are thinking to buy an external unit, I don’t feel to recommend some in particular, because it depends what is compatible with your cameras. I have 2 external units: the Speedlite Yongnuo 560, a Canon clone which costs 10 times less, and the tiny Vivitar SF-3000.

I don't want to get into overly complicated technicalities, I would recommend to experiment on your own, the best results are obtained through direct experience and by proceeding empirically. I think the most important thing using flash is about opportunity to experiment and have fun. In this way you will punch many shots but then you will learn a lot, perhaps even creating your own style.