Do you often find yourself taking pictures only to delete them because there was not enough light to properly display the subject? If this is the case, you need the use of a flash to illuminate the subject where it can clearly be seen. Group portraits often are in need of a flash, but many other subjects can benefit from this also. This includes photos where the background is brighter than the object you are photographing or where the subject is moving in the dark. Here are some photography tips to help you in these situations.

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Many photos are ruined if the subject is wearing glasses. Often you will find that the glare off of the eye wear ruins the entire shot. Whenever possible, have the subject tilt their glasses downward by lifting the side pieces slightly. When they do this, the flash does not hit the lenses directly and you can clearly see the subject, glasses and all. Many sites that focus on photography tips seem to overlook this pointer, but it is one that will make you a better photographer the first time you use it.

The same is true if you are trying to shoot through glass or into a mirror. Both will produce this same lens flare and the chances of your photo being ruined increase greatly. Make sure you are within the flash range at all times. This is usually a range of four to ten feet and try to keep all subjects at the same distance. This prevents some from appearing brighter than others which is a common problem when subjects are at varying distances.

Different photography tips come into play when you are shooting indoors or out. Here you would need the use of fill flash to compensate for dark areas of a photo. This commonly occurs in rooms where there are no windows or where all light is on the back of the subject. Using fill flash is also appropriate when it is sunny outside and your subject’s face is full of shadows. Start using these photography tips today and see how much your photos improve and once you have mastered them, you can move on to more flash hints and tricks to make you the photographer you have always dreamed of.