A camera speedlight also known as external flash is a device used for bringing more light to your photography when you need it. This replaces the need for the much bulkier and costlier studio lights (strobes) as speedlights are somewhat inexpensive and small hence portable. The Speedlight helps provide additional light when conditions become too dark and lighting becomes poor which tends to give a bad image, it also allows you to achieve more balanced exposures in daylight, permits freezing of fast-moving subjects, and can also be used to control or trigger other flashlight sources.
Below are some merits of owning a Speedlight:
- More power
The major advantage of using a Speedlight rather than a built-in flash is a huge increase in power. A typical Speedlight has a Guide Number (GN) of around 30 and often it’s quite a bit higher, whereas a pop-up flash typically has a GN of 12. So at the exact same ISO and aperture settings, the Speedlight is at least 3-4 times more powerful, allowing you to light subjects at increased distances and to use lower ISO settings for better image quality and narrower apertures for increased depth of field. And not only is a Speedlight much more powerful in terms of its output, but it’s faster too. Using a camera’s built-in flash can be pretty sluggish, but a Speedlight has much faster shooter time so you’re less likely to miss a moment. The flashlight also comes with its own power source, so you won’t drain your camera’s battery allowing you to shoot for a much longer time.
- Increased control
A Speedlight has a number of controls that aren’t possible with a pop-up flash. Firstly, you have the ability to zoom the light. This means that you can control the spread of the light from wide-angle through your telephoto, to match the focal length of your lens and to ensure there are the correct spread and intensity of light in your image. Speedlights also feature a built-in diffusion panel to help spread the light even wider for ultra-wide-angle images or to create a softer and more flattering light.
- Diffuse and modify the light
There’s a wide range of affordable accessories that you can pair with a Speedlight to create stylish and captivating effects. Included in the box with most Speedlights is a diffusion dome that diffuses the harsh light from the Speedlight and neglects any shadows that harsh light could create. Other accessories include colour gels, mini softboxes, snoots, barn doors, beauty dishes, grids and other modifiers. Each affects and sculpts the light in different ways, allowing the photographer to explore a host of lighting options and get super creative.
- Ultra-portable set up
Speedlights are extremely portable. They’re typically smaller than some lenses, weigh noticeably less, and will easily slip into your kit bag, so you can use them anytime and anywhere, such that carrying one won’t slow you down. Even the accessories to transform your Speedlight into a truly creative light source, such as a light stand, pair of wireless triggers and a shoot-through umbrella would fit into a carry case smaller than a tripod bag. This can be easily be slung over a shoulder or fastened onto your bag, so you effectively have an ultra-portable studio-style light that you can use anywhere. This means you can get stand out shots in the most challenging of locations and there’s no need to cart lots of heavy equipment or break the bank on gear.
- Affordable accessory
Considering how transformative and beneficial Speedlights are, its a wonder why they are relatively inexpensive. A really good Speedlight will cost a couple of hundred dollars and will stay with you for a very long time. Some third-party camera accessories manufacturers also produce very inexpensive generic Speedlights too, so whatever level you’re on, there’s a light you can afford.
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This article was written by Adekunle Ibukunoluwa. He is a contributor to the BOPNetworks Community, a Poet and Intern Photographer with SORB Pictures. Follow him on Instagram here
