external flash

Fuji HS10 Recommended External Flashes

July 13, 2010 By Eric Reagan

One of the frequently recurring questions that I receive is “What flash should I get for the Fuji HS10?”

The Fuji HS10 features a hot shoe for an external flash; however, Fuji does not make a dedicated flash for the camera. Perhaps Fuji should think hard about making a flash for the next version of this camera.

I have inquired directly with Fuji regarding recommended external flashes, only to receive rather vague responses as to which flash models are appropriate for the HS10. As a result of testing, obtaining recommendations from manufacturers and corresponding with HS10 users, I’ve compiled a short list of recommended external flashes for the Fuji HS10. [Read more…]

How to Use Fill-Flash in Macro Photography

August 3, 2009 By Eric Reagan

Virginia Buttonweed (Diodia Virginiana)

The following post on the use of fill-flash in macro photography was written by professional photographer Ron Kruger. Learn more about Ron at the end of this post.

I’m an outdoor writer/photographer, and I’ve always admired those minuscule blossoms I see around my blinds and hides and along rivers and streams. This past spring, sort of as a sideline, or hobby with the hope of some potential profit, I embarked on a mission to record macro images of every tiny wildflower I could find.

As a professional, I’m always looking for ways to do things differently than the average photographer. One I’d like to share is fill-flash for macro, which we called flash-fill back in the day when you had to make all kinds of complicated readings and calculations to pull it off. I’m not talking about a dedicated macro ring flash, either, but your common, everyday external flash unit and/or your on-camera flash. Both work, and they work great together. [Read more…]