Using Flash to capture Reptiles and Amphibians?

AFTER ENTERING THE WORLD OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, IT QUICKLY BECOMES OBVIOUS THAT THE EASY SITUATIONS RARELY EXIST. AS A PHOTOGRAPHER LOOKING FOR THE BEST RESULTS, IT’S ESSENTIAL TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO BALANCE OR KEEP THE SITUATION IN YOUR FAVOUR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY GENUINE WHEN THE ANIMALS YOU WANT TO CAPTURE RESIDE IN AN UNFAVOURABLE SURROUNDINGS. FROM RAINFOREST TO OPEN GROUNDS, TO MANGROVES AND HOT DESERTS, MANY OF THE HABITATS IN WHICH HERPS (AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES) RESIDE FEELS LIKE THEY WERE MADE TO TEST A PHOTOGRAPHER’S PATIENCE. AND ALSO THE FACT THAT MANY HERPS ARE NOCTURNAL, THEREFORE YOU WILL NOT GET THE IMAGES IN GOOD LIGHT AND YOU NEED AN EXTERNAL SOURCE. IN THIS ARTICLE, WE WILL HELP YOU TO USE FLASH TO DEAL WITH LOW-LIGHT AND NIGHTTIME CONDITIONS WHILE SHOOTING HERPS. WE WILL DISCUSS THE FLASH AND EQUIPMENT A PHOTOGRAPHER WILL REQUIRE BEFORE STEPPING OUT, AND WE WILL ALSO SEE HOW TO USE SOFT LIGHT TO CREATE PICTURES WHERE THE SUBJECT POPS OUT – OR TO JUST FILL IN SHADOWS TO PREVENT UNDEREXPOSED FIELD IN YOUR IMAGE.

- SANCHIT MISHRA

What equipment you need for flash photography?

The first thing you need to make sure is that you have sufficient light. This will be for perfectly exposing your subject or the surrounding area. In some cases, like soft fill lighting when the subject is right in front of your camera, the built-in flash on the camera may be enough, but there are times where built-in flashes do have their limitations. For those who are looking for an extra control over lighting options, it is advisable to invest in a more powerful external flash for your camera.

• External Flash

In reptile and amphibian photography, you are frequently very close to your subject. This means even the lowest power in external flash units should do the work needed. This is because, for many situations, it is the power and angle of the light that makes an external flash unit useful.

• Flash Trigger/ Cord

Get yourself a trigger or cord for your flash if you want to do something creative in your photography. You can connect the flash to the camera with the help of trigger or cord and move it to any angle required while capturing images. While a trigger has greater freedom because it is wireless, the selection between that and a cord comes down to your personal liking and comfort in the field.

• Torch/Headlamp

If a photographer is capturing images at night, then the person will require at least one light source, like a torch or headlamp, that will help you to see what you are actually doing. Additionally, the torch or headlamp light will assist your camera to focus more quickly and help you sight and identify the reptile or amphibian.

• Diffuser