Using Close-up Flash

When shooting close-up photos, it can be difficult to come up with just the right exposure. Without good control of the flash unit, you could end up with a washed-out photo because the flash is too strong or an underexposed photo because the flash is not firing. Use these tips to help with using the flash -- or for using multiple flashes -- for close-up photos.

• With a built-in flash with a point and shoot camera, it's very difficult to control the flash intensity. If you find that the built-in flash is too powerful and is washing out your photos, consider shooting the close-up photo in natural light only by shutting off the flash through your camera's menu. Or, if the available external light is causing some shadow problems, try using the flash as more of a fill light.

• If you absolutely need the flash on the point and shoot camera to shoot the object, consider moving a little farther away from the object and achieve your close-up by using the zoom lens. By moving away from the object, you can lessen the impact of the flash.

• Consider using your camera's macro mode for shooting a close-up photo with a flash. Most point and shoot cameras dial down the intensity of the flash when working in macro mode.

• Using more than one flash can really help with close-up photography. Using multiple flashes can greatly change the look of an object by changing the shadows on the object. You can choose to leave one flash on the camera and fire another flash remotely from the side. Or, move all of the flash units off the camera for a different look. Try various positions of the flashes to achieve the best result.

• You might be surprised when using multiple flash units as to how much texture you can see in the objects in the close-up photo. For extreme close-up photos where the object has a lot of texture, try using two flashes from the side or top, rather than directly from the front.

• If you must use a flash mounted to the camera, it will create strong shadows behind the object and create a flat look. To counteract the strong shadow, use additional flashes from both sides.

• You can use a diffuser on the flash unit to soften the light.

• Finally, using a reflector card can create diffused light from the flash, again changing the look of the object. Pairing a diffused flash/reflector card with a direct flash often provides the best results.