Natural light or flash?

Light is the power in a photograph, natural or flash. 

When photographing people, I am often asked, “Should I bring a flash?” My answer is yes when working in ambient light. However, people shy away from Flash and feel intimidated because it adds a layer of technical complications. It was the reason I pulled back from using one for many years,  but today, flash systems have become extremely simple. I use Profoto. It is pricey, but it is so simple I took it out of the box, put it on my camera, and could use it without even reading the instructions. 

The easiest way to convey this message is by example. 

In this first image, no flash was used. Exposing for the sky made my subject dark. Adding a simple fill flash off-camera lifted the shadows and brought back the details in my subject’s face, intimately connecting the viewer. 

No post-processing was done to these images.

This is the same scenario as above. When I expose correctly for the detail in the sky, my subjects go dark. You can see the extreme difference when I used a simple fill flash to light the second boy in the background. THe first boy is nearly invisible.

No post-processing was done to this image.

This is a subtle example. On the right, no flash. On the left, a subtle on-camera fill flash was used. No post-processing has been done, so you can see the effect. However, when you process the one on the right, it will pop to life in a way that you will struggle with on the image to the left.

In this example, I exposed for the backlight coming through the headpiece to protect the details in the highlights. On the left no fill flash. On the right, I used a subtle fill flash on camera. 

No post-processing was done to these images.

In the following two images is a different approach. The first image was taken against a beautiful natural soft green background in natural diffused light.  However, in the next image, I underexposed and popped the subject with an off-camera fill flash for a more dramatic look. Why not try both? 

In the image below a subtle off camera flash was used or the image would be completely different and not very appealing.

The following two images were taken in a tent that Greg and I used for a studio. He brought studio lights. The effect of the soft light is gorgeous. 

However, carrying this type of equipment is not practical for what I do and so I turn to natural light when I can control most of the ambient light. I put my subject under a cabana, in a tent or a doorway and use the bounce of natural light. The three images below are taken with natural light and a reflector.

I love teaming up with Greg because we complement each other with our different expertise on flash, studio lighting, and natural lighting. We are teaming up again in 2026 for a unique tribal expedition – Northern Frontier – Tribal Odessey . To ensure a high-quality photographic experience, we are limiting it to seven guests.

To flash or not to flash ultimately depends on the vision of your outcome.  There are many simple flashes on the market (Godox/ProFoto), and they are small and easy to pack. When creating beautiful portraits in ambient light, I think they are essential.