No flash - is it possible?

[mokey]

I was just wondering if it's possible to take photographs and never use a flash?

If you set the ISO high enough and adjusted all the settings perfectly could you gt away with never using a flash again or is this impossible?

[Lurch]

I'm no expert but i'd guess that no matter what iso your camera can reach it will never eliminate shadows.

[private]

There are many photographers that do not use a flash they use Natural light and/or artificial light. Why don't you want to use a flash?

[HockeyFan]

Flash is easy and I'm lazy. Unless there's a real reason for avoiding flash, I use it when I need it. For more serious and creative photography, I use natural light or find artificial light that I can strategically place where I want it. There are lots of times though, when flash is just quick and easy.

[waffles]

I don't ever use the flash when shooting sports. I forget that I have one most other times.

Yeah, it can happen.

[mokey]

It's not that I don't want to never use a flash again, just as a beginner I'm questioning everything and seeing where it takes me. Thanks for the replies.

[Sime™]

the answer to your question is yes. you can spend a lifetime taking photos without flash. my question to you would be why, but you've answered that just above.

light is photography is light, if you need more of it to make your picture, use it. if you don't want to, that's OK too...

[ttosifa]

Originally Posted by Sime™

light is photography is light, if you need more of it to make your picture, use it. if you don't want to, that's OK too...

There's some quote in Joe McNally's book "The Moment It Clicks" in which (I think) his mentor was asked if he used only available light. The reply was something like "Yes, I use every light available."

[imagesbyjk]

As someone who spent most of my professional life avoiding flash as much as possible I applaud your question. I haven't avoided it out of fear or lack of knowledge either. I just don't (didn't) care for the look. You can shoot in a lot of situations without flash. In fact I see a lot of shooters, including pros, using flash when (IMHO) they don't need to or shouldn't be. That being said, my style is evolving into using more flash. But I'm talking about more complex flash setup than just on camera or basic fill. I still believe that flash is worthless (in most cases) for fill in anything but snapshots. If I'm shooting in natural light then I'm filling with natural light (reflectors).

[ALSto]

Good question... I spend a lot of time doing wildlife photography & landscapes so I do not use a flash very often for these purposes. When doing close-ups of flowers or small birds in trees, you can't avoid having to use a flash for clarity and reducing the use of high ISO for sharpness.

IMHO high ISO, no matter how good the camera, will produce graininess in dark areas and many background situations. This is not a desired effect for large prints or crops. Noise reduction software can help but you mess up other pixels in other places.

98% of my pictures are taken without flash but sometimes it's nice to have it standing by so I can use a lower ISO or brighten something up.

Allen...