External Flash

I took a one-on-one class a couple months back with a photographer in the area and learned so much about my camera. I have no plans of doing anything career-wise in photography, I just like exploring what I have and learning how to take better pictures. One thing I learned is that an external flash would really help my indoor pictures. You see, our house is very old and lighting is horrible. Sure, the daylight is great, but during the long winter when the majority of pictures are taken under cloudy skies and often in the evening, it's a struggle. Back in the 1920's when it was built, there wasn't a lot of overhead lighting as they relied on daylight and lamps more. I simply couldn't get good, clear shots with such a low shutter speed and high ISO settings for low light.

This is when it was suggested that I look into an external flash. I did my homework, put one on my Christmas wish list and got it from my parents! It's honestly one of my favorite gifts this year and I'm practicing as much as I can with it's different settings. It will be used weekly to increase the quality of the pictures that will be kept forever of Drew and this is why it's so great.

I won't bore anyone with the technical specifics on why an external flash is better than the camera's flash, just take a look at the pictures below.

See how the flash isn't as harsh on his skin and face? It's a softer look and the colors are more true to what they really are. I'm also able to turn the shutter speed back up more for my on-the-move little man and capture blocks falling quickly.

And even with a window behind the action, it looks as though there is almost full daylight in the room when Drew decided to throw himself on Lacy. You would never know that his nursery is very dimly lit and that it was cloudy this day causing minimal natural light.

Thanks again mom and dad for my wonderful gift!! I love it!