Pocket digital cameras have a built in flash that cannot be taken out like that in professional cameras nor can an external flash be used. The flash itself is not too strong. So, it has many limitations. We have talked and will talk about these aspects elsewhere. Right now, let’s discuss the difference between automatic and fill flash in pocket cameras.
Many people using digital cameras ignore the subtle difference between these two and spoil their photographs in terms of light and details.
Automatic flash is the setting in which the flash bursts when the available light is low. When the camera sensor finds that the available light is not sufficient, it first adjusts shutter speed, aperture and ISO sensitivity. If it still does not get enough light, it orders the ‘automatic’ flash to burst. So, if the available light is good, this flash does not come on.
On the other hand, ‘fill flash’ bursts irrespective of available light. How does this small knowledge help? Well, it gives you the opportunity to use flash in good light conditions, and it really adds to the lighting of the main object in outdoor situations. Suppose you want to take a photo of a child in a park. The ambient light will usually be quite good but the child’s face would quite possibly not have enough light to give fine details. Use fill flash and you have a pleasant face full of expressions and glowing skin color. Another example. When you take people’s photos outdoors, your camera would calculate the incoming light either of the middle of the shot or the entire shot [based on your settings]; in both these cases, the faces are likely to be dimly lit. Fill flash would remove this problem. Fill flash is also great when your main object is back-lit [light source in front of camera]. It also helps in getting contrast in very dull and diffused ambient light conditions [e.g. a cloudy day].
Many people using digital cameras ignore the subtle difference between these two and spoil their photographs in terms of light and details.
Automatic flash is the setting in which the flash bursts when the available light is low. When the camera sensor finds that the available light is not sufficient, it first adjusts shutter speed, aperture and ISO sensitivity. If it still does not get enough light, it orders the ‘automatic’ flash to burst. So, if the available light is good, this flash does not come on.
On the other hand, ‘fill flash’ bursts irrespective of available light. How does this small knowledge help? Well, it gives you the opportunity to use flash in good light conditions, and it really adds to the lighting of the main object in outdoor situations. Suppose you want to take a photo of a child in a park. The ambient light will usually be quite good but the child’s face would quite possibly not have enough light to give fine details. Use fill flash and you have a pleasant face full of expressions and glowing skin color. Another example. When you take people’s photos outdoors, your camera would calculate the incoming light either of the middle of the shot or the entire shot [based on your settings]; in both these cases, the faces are likely to be dimly lit. Fill flash would remove this problem. Fill flash is also great when your main object is back-lit [light source in front of camera]. It also helps in getting contrast in very dull and diffused ambient light conditions [e.g. a cloudy day].
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