Curious?

[NicoleScraps]

Hypothetically speaking, if you were outside at say 3pm on a nice sunny day, taking photos of kids playing in a water sprayer/sprinkler, the kids were 15-20 feet away and you were using dslr with a zoom/telephoto lens, would there be any technical benefit to using a speedlite?

Okay, this is not really hypothetical. I lied. I was at a waterpark today and I watched a lady for a long time doing this ^ that I described above. At first, I was like "why the hell is she using that speedlite?" But then I thought that maybe she is some photography genius who knows way more than I do.
I could not stop watching her. I even took a photo of her taking photos with my little p&s. LOL. Yeah, all that spraying water scares the crap out of me and I refuse to bring my good camera. My P&S will do just fine.
Just curious. Any thoughts?

[Niresangwa]

Using it to balance the bright ambient and get a more even exposure.

[JFSanders]

Depending upon the level of ambient light and the available power of the speedlight to fill in the shadows it may very well be a prudent decision to do so. 15 to 20 feet is not too far if she is using full power. Battery killer for sure. Was she also using a Better Beamer?

Jim

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

Was she also using a Better Beamer?

Jim

No she wasn't.

[JFSanders]

Well that would make it more difficult. This didn't happen to be my wife? If it was she is on restriction and no I am not buying her any more batteries for her speedlight!

Jim

[faeriegodess612]

Faster shutter speed maybe? I have no clue.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

Faster shutter speed maybe? I have no clue.

No, that will limit you to sync speed or if you are using high speed sync, then the flash is useless for any distance. My sb900 is good for 200mm and I use it outside in 90% of my images. Only way to fill shadows on a bright day unless you want to mess around with a reflector.

[StillFocus]

I use my sb600 outdoors all the time, and yes, people ask me why all the time too. Even at that distance it seems like it would help even out shadows on the face at the very least.

Originally Posted by scootermcq

No, that will limit you to sync speed or if you are using high speed sync, then the flash is useless for any distance. My sb900 is good for 200mm and I use it outside in 90% of my images. Only way to fill shadows on a bright day unless you want to mess around with a reflector.

The SB900 and SB800 and sometimes the 600 will go up to 1/8000th during high-speed sync.... it's pretty awesome.

[MrJones]

there is one thing that I don't get in that situation:
bright sunny day --> your shutter speed should be fast, very fast.
using flash --> lower shutter speed (1/200)
low shutter speed --> closed aperture (higher f number)
closed aperture --> background is sharp and distracting.
sharp clear background at a water park --> mostly crapy pictures.

so basically, you're better of without the fill flash, unless of course the light is coming from behind your subject.. in that situation you HAVE to use fill flash.

am I right or am I talking nonsense and missing something?