Your camera has an automatic flash mode that will automatically trigger the flash when your camera detects it is needed. However, your camera is often a poor judge of when and use the flash. Learning basic flash modes and when to use them will put you in control of your pictures. As a result, you will avoid some common flash-related problems.
Instructions
1. Find the basic flash modes on your camera. Auto flash mode, usually symbolized by a lightning bolt and "auto" allows the camera to trigger the flash. "No flash" is usually symbolized by a lightning bolt with a slash through it. A lightning bolt with nothing around it indicates forced flash mode. A lightning bolt with an "s" or "slow" is a symbol for slow-sync flash mode. An eye is a symbol for red-eye reduction flash mode.
2. Use forced flash mode in high light situations when the main light source, such as the sun, is behind your subject, causing it to be in the shadows. Because it is a high light situation, the auto flash would leave your subject in the dark. Forced flash will cause the flash to go off and lighten your subject.
3. Turn on the slow-sync flash mode in low light situations when you want some background detail and natural color. In low light situations, the flash washes out the color of your subject and makes the background completely dark. Slow-sync flash mode causes your camera's shutter to be open longer before the flash goes off, capturing more natural light and bringing the background into the picture. Be sure to hold the camera still or use a tripod in this mode because slower shutter speed can lead to some blurriness.
4. Choose red-eye reduction flash mode in low light situations when taking pictures of people or animals and you want to use the flash. In this mode, the flash goes off twice. The first time, it goes off before the shutter opens, which causes the subject's pupils to contract, reducing the red eye glare effect. Then, the camera flashes again as it takes the picture.
5. Turn the flash off in high light when your subject is not in shadows and in low light situations when you need a lot of background detail or want a lot of natural light and color. Use a tripod and a slow shutter speed instead of the flash in these situations.
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