Using flash with birds/wildlife

Gonetae

Gonetae

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Tommy
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Just wondering what peoples views are on using flash to help light pictures of birds and small animals in a dark environments such as barns and dense woods etc. I shot some pics of swallows in the darkened rafters of stables the other day using flash but have since then been giving a fair bit of thought as to whether I should have or not. It didn't upset or even disturb the birds in the slightest but I'm curious what others takes on this are.

Tommy.
 
I think I tried it once with a Robin and once with a spider :lol: Neither shot was any good as far as representing nature goes. I think along side the fact that flash could disturb certain animals and birds, the whole look of 'flashed' subjects just doesn't look natural, and I generally don't like those shots for that reason alone.
 
Jo said:
the whole look of 'flashed' subjects just doesn't look natural, and I generally don't like those shots for that reason alone.
Click to expand...

But how many shots have you seen that were flashed but you didn't know? It's easy to make sweeping statements about flash but not always as clear cut as you may think.

I will frequently use flash with animals and birds if I think the picture warrants it. Bizarrely, that can sometimes mean in bright sunlight to soften shadows as in the picture below:



Indoors, I would be wary around young mammals but that's about it.
 
Cheers for your responses all. I'll try and pop up the pics I took tonight/tomorrow of the swallows. As I said they weren't in the slightest bit bothered by it, they have 4 nests the length of the stable block so are very used to the comings and goings of people and horses throughout the day. One particularly psychotic pair have set up their nest a few feet above the stable where my sister keeps her St Bernard. Just hope the young un's don't fall out.


Tommy.
 
I used flash at a local feeding station last winter and flushed the lot:( Pleased to hear the swallows weren't too bothered:)
 
It was a sweeping statement and for that I apologise Paul. It's the obvious ones I'm talking about.

I'm interested to know though, are you talking about a small amount of fill flash at a distance? I think it's the close up shots using flash that look unnatural to me :shrug:
 
From the many threads and articles on this I concluded that the shutter noise bothers them more than the flash so long as it's not full on 5 inches away from them. Personally I'd take a few with and if it seemed to bother them then fair enough, just put it away. I also realise how the end of that sentence could be taken totally the wrong way ;) lol.
 
Seems to be a fairly standard technique, and there are gismos out there meant to extend the flash range for just such a purpose. Check out "better beamer".
 
I think the point is Jo that if it looks obvious then its not been done well!

The kite shot was taken with -1 1/3 compensation although with a Better Beamer, it was still chucking lots of light out. There are some subjects where flash is necessary such as bats but it is still possible to get them looking reasonably natural.

I also use flash for macro, although I am very willing to acknowledge I need to practice and learn more as the results don't look right at the moment.

Paul
 
Check out these pictures by Stephen Dalton - he's a master photographer and naturalist. And uses high speed flash all the time.

http://www.stephendalton.co.uk/gallery_87321.html

His unique kit goes off with quite a pop, too :eek: He would be distraught if any creature was harmed or distrubred by this any more than the general intrusion of being photographed.

In my very limited experience, it is movement that scares most, and then noise. Flash doesn't seem to trouble birds.
 
Well I told Robbie to refrain from using flash as it was giving me headaches, so now he just shoots with a higher iso :D I admit if its done right with respect for the animals then its ok, but myself I dont use it.

rich007.jpg
 
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