Available light vs Flash - Old power plant

Available light vs Flash - Old power plant · Posted by *gawan*, 08-02-2009, 07:45 AM

These examples (pairs actually) are from visit to an old power plant museum, where in low light I used my normal flash (Metz 58). Lucky I also had my tripod with me because the available light in many cases was way more interesting than what I could get with flash. Flash may reveal more in documentary sense but artistically I preferred the available light most of the time.

What do you think (a is available light and b is flash version):

In these my point is clear, I think:

#1 a

#1 b

In these one can argue for either one, which do you prefer

#2 a

#2 b

This is my favourite, but only with available light...

#3 a only

mithrandir · 08-02-2009, 08:08 AM

The available light has more "pop" than the flash pictures. I would expect that since the flash would have less dynamic range. The flash, however, reveals more shadow detail, again expected. A third option would have been available light HDR. Lightly done, I think HDR would have had the pop of the available light and yet more shadow detail (wider dynamic range).

*gawan* · 08-02-2009, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by mithrandir

The available light has more "pop" than the flash pictures. I would expect that since the flash would have less dynamic range. The flash, however, reveals more shadow detail, again expected. A third option would have been available light HDR. Lightly done, I think HDR would have had the pop of the available light and yet more shadow detail (wider dynamic range).

Thanks for the comment! Many times I can manage with adjusting shadows/highlights — much more delicate than HDR, which is hard to do naturally.

*Ash* · 08-02-2009, 11:41 PM

It's simple to me - on-axis flash is flat, boring and renders the subject featureless IMO.
Lighting that's mixed and/or simply not in the same direction as the lens will always produce better quality light and subject features.

Again, this is my opinion as I'm sure there will be others who like the front-on flash look. Definitely not me - even if diffused. With beauty dish - now there's a significant improvement, but still not better than off-camera setups...

*gawan* · 08-02-2009, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ash

It's simple to me - on-axis flash is flat, boring and renders the subject featureless IMO.
Lighting that's mixed and/or simply not in the same direction as the lens will always produce better quality light and subject features.

Again, this is my opinion as I'm sure there will be others who like the front-on flash look. Definitely not me - even if diffused. With beauty dish - now there's a significant improvement, but still not better than off-camera setups...

Thanks - and yes, of course - I have to get me an off-the-camera cord or wireless!

*daacon* · 08-03-2009, 07:32 AM

Nice series Georg - I struggle with Flash as well but am trying. Nice documentry series of the plant.

timbo13 · 08-03-2009, 12:17 PM

I really like 1a, what an interesting place.

by the way, I agree that the existing light is much more interesting than on-camera flash.
Perhaps thoughtful use of off-camera flash could give some interesting results!

Darren M · 08-03-2009, 12:40 PM

No contest at all for me, especially on number one. The natural light is an interesting looking photo. The one with flash is just not interesting at all. I don't mind good flash use at all, but really good flash use is difficult and quite rare and I just don't care for it when it is not well done. then again, I am sure Joe McNally could do some amazing things with his flash arsenal in that scene.

juanraortiz · 08-03-2009, 01:23 PM

"A", no doubt. Nices series

.

*gawan* · 08-03-2009, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by daacon

Nice series Georg - I struggle with Flash as well but am trying. Nice documentry series of the plant.

Thanks, Dave, old industrial places are great to shoot!!

Originally Posted by timbo13

I really like 1a, what an interesting place.

by the way, I agree that the existing light is much more interesting than on-camera flash.
Perhaps thoughtful use of off-camera flash could give some interesting results!

Thanks, Tim, I think I could have used my flash creatively by putting it behind of those pipes, would have given interesting variation, now there was windows on wither side in addition to the pulb in the ceiling. Only I do not posses any wireless devices...

Originally Posted by Darren M

No contest at all for me, especially on number one. The natural light is an interesting looking photo. The one with flash is just not interesting at all. I don't mind good flash use at all, but really good flash use is difficult and quite rare and I just don't care for it when it is not well done. then again, I am sure Joe McNally could do some amazing things with his flash arsenal in that scene.

Thanks Darren, yes I have read with about his techniques, from the amazing book "The Moment It Clicks", but I don't have the arsenal, to use your words

Originally Posted by juanraortiz

"A", no doubt. Nices series.

Thanks Juan, it really was an amazing place, both by it's machines and by the quite differentiated light it has. Bulbs, small windows in strange places etc.

Pentax_XTC · 08-04-2009, 12:39 PM

I like the natural light, but I'm going to be the rouge here and say both. I would shoot both flash and natural then combine the details of each (after color balancing of course) to make one that has the best of both. But then again, I'm the guy that spends way too much time on the computer trying tricks like that.

*gawan* · 08-04-2009, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Pentax_XTC

I like the natural light, but I'm going to be the rouge here and say both. I would shoot both flash and natural then combine the details of each (after color balancing of course) to make one that has the best of both. But then again, I'm the guy that spends way too much time on the computer trying tricks like that.

LOL, thanks for the tip, nevertheless! I might just try that, one of these days

impact · 08-04-2009, 01:32 PM

Longer exposures with natural light = teh win.

Kinda like this guy does: Flickr: hoodwatch's Photostream

*Igilligan* · 08-04-2009, 01:42 PM

Georg, 1a and 3a for me too. I find my flash shots just a tad too flat usually...

3 is my fave with those cool meters... Did you get any close ups of those things?

But your 'outside the plant' shot series is smokin"

*gawan* · 08-04-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by impact

Longer exposures with natural light = teh win.

Kinda like this guy does: Flickr: hoodwatch's Photostream

Thank you for the comments, Impact, and thanks for the link too great shots there!

Originally Posted by Igilligan

Georg, 1a and 3a for me too. I find my flash shots just a tad too flat usually...

3 is my fave with those cool meters... Did you get any close ups of those things?

But your 'outside the plant' shot series is smokin"

Thanks Gus, appreciate it! And yes I liked those meters too:

And here is a better view to the generator