Flashes are very important tools for a photographer. When I started photography some years ago, I thought the use of prime lenses was the way to go. But it is only one way to go. Photography comes from « photo- » (φωτoς, photos : light) and « -graphy » (γραφειν, graphein : painting, drawing). So a photographer is someone who paints with light.
And when there is no light, you have to create it. Here comes the purpose of a flash.
I almost use a flash all the time. Or I should say, I don’t use a flash when I’m not allowed to (i.e. in a church) or when I want to give a special mood to my pictures (i.e. portraits lit with only candlelight).
I own three flashes which is more than enough for my assignments. These are Canon flashes: the 550EX (an older version) and the 580EXII. To decided to upgrade from the 550EX for some VERY obvious reasons:
1) The 580EXII is weather sealed (very useful when it rains)
2) The 580EXII has a off camera terminal (PC connector allows sync-in. Very useful when it comes to fire remotely (i.e. use of Pocket Wizards))
3) The 580EXII has a faster recycling time.
4) The 580EXII has a built-in catchlight reflector (allows a catchlight to be added quickly and conveniently to portrait).
5) The build quality of the 580EXII is much better.
Canon 550EX (on the left) and Canon 580EXII (on the right) - Front Side
Canon 550EX (on the left) and Canon 580EXII (on the right) - Left Side
Canon 550EX (on the left) and Canon 580EXII (on the right) - Back Side
Canon 550EX (on the left) and Canon 580EXII (on the right) - Right Side
In the next thread I will talk about some accessories I use with these flashes before talking about flash settings (TTL vs. Manual mode). So stay tuned.
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