STOP USING ISO 100 WHEN USING FLASH | Flash Photography

Summary

In this video, the creator challenges the common belief that shooting at ISO 100 is always the best choice when using off-camera flash. While base ISO does provide clean images, the video explores the drawbacks of always sticking to ISO 100, such as the need for higher flash power, longer recycle times, and greater wear on gear. The creator encourages photographers to consider using higher ISOs (like 200-800) to reduce flash power and improve performance, all while still maintaining acceptable image quality. The main takeaway is to break free from the rigid mindset of always using ISO 100 and adjust based on the situation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shooting at ISO 100 with off-camera flash isn't always necessary and can lead to unintended consequences, such as higher flash power requirements.
• 😀 There's no harm in shooting at ISO 100 with flash, but blindly adhering to it can limit your options and affect flash performance.
• 😀 Flash power, duration, recycle time, and gear wear and tear all indirectly depend on your ISO setting when using flash.
• 😀 Higher flash power (e.g., half or full) leads to longer recycle times and can reduce the ability to freeze motion due to a longer flash duration.
• 😀 Most photographers won't notice a difference in noise between ISO 100 and ISO 800 unless they zoom in to pixel-level details.
• 😀 In real-world scenarios, such as social media or smaller prints, the difference between ISO 100 and ISO 800 is typically imperceptible to viewers.
• 😀 Constantly shooting at higher flash power will lead to more wear and tear on your gear, similar to city driving versus highway driving.
• 😀 Battery life is affected by flash power—higher power usage leads to faster battery depletion, whereas lower power settings prolong battery life.
• 😀 Using higher ISOs (200, 400, or 800) on modern cameras is perfectly fine and can reduce the need for higher flash power, which in turn improves flash performance.
• 😀 Clients and viewers rarely care about the small differences in noise caused by higher ISOs unless it's a high-end commercial project.
• 😀 Photographers should reconsider the automatic habit of shooting at ISO 100 and instead think critically about how ISO affects flash performance and overall image quality.

Q & A

Why is shooting at ISO 100 often recommended when using off-camera flash?

Shooting at ISO 100 is typically recommended because it gives the cleanest image possible with minimal noise, making the most of the external light source provided by the flash.

What is the potential issue with always shooting at ISO 100 with off-camera flash?

The main issue is that shooting at ISO 100 could force the flash power to be higher than necessary, which can lead to longer recycle times, reduced flash duration, and increased wear and tear on the equipment.

Why is it difficult to tell the difference between ISO 100 and ISO 800 in real-world images?

In most real-world uses, such as on social media or smaller prints, the difference between ISO 100 and ISO 800 is not noticeable because images are viewed at a smaller size and not pixel-peeped. Noise is often subtle enough that it's not visible unless viewed up close.

What are the key factors to consider when using off-camera flash?

The four main factors to consider when using off-camera flash are flash power, flash duration, recycle time, and wear and tear on the gear.

How does flash power relate to the ISO setting in photography?

Flash power and ISO are related because a lower ISO (like 100) often requires higher flash power to achieve proper exposure. This increases the load on the flash, resulting in longer recycle times and potential wear on the equipment.

What is the effect of using a higher flash power on flash duration?

As flash power increases, the flash duration becomes longer, which reduces the ability to freeze fast-moving subjects. A shorter flash duration is preferable for freezing action in images.

How does using a higher ISO, such as 400 or 800, benefit flash photography?

By increasing the ISO to 400 or 800, the required flash power is reduced, which in turn results in faster recycle times, better ability to freeze motion, and less wear and tear on the flash gear.

Why does the video emphasize not to arbitrarily stick to ISO 100 in flash photography?

The video emphasizes avoiding ISO 100 because it can force you to use higher flash power, which results in slower recycle times and more wear on your flash. Increasing ISO slightly can help achieve better results without these downsides.

What happens to battery life when shooting at lower flash power settings?

When shooting at lower flash power settings, such as 1/16 or 1/32, the flash requires less energy per shot, which extends battery life compared to using higher power settings like full or half power.

What is the relevance of comparing flash power to city miles and highway miles in the video?

The analogy of city miles versus highway miles is used to explain how shooting at high flash power is like 'city miles'—it leads to more wear and tear on your equipment. In contrast, lower flash power is like 'highway miles'—it’s gentler on the gear and results in less wear.