There is very little you can do with the flash on the iPhone. I assume the speed isn't adjustable, right? You won't be able to bounce flash with it.
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LED Flash turning pictures smurf-like
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Yeah, it's mostly a "there is no light in this room" kind of thing. If the room is dark then it works pretty well at lighting everything up.
But that's about it. I've tried using it as fill but the color just doesn't mix well with other lights. People come out pretty orange. It seems the iPhone balances to the natural light and that's that. You can't do much about it so it's not very useful as a fill light.
These 3rd party camera apps have a big opportunity here if they can come out with an app that gives better color-balance control over the camera. That's something one of them could potentially do better than the built in camera app.
I figured that the flash it is only good for low light situations, just so you can actually see the subject in the picture.
No white balance either? Definetly an opportunity for a 3rd party app.
I'm a bit of an amateur photographer, and after 2-3 years, I *just now* bought an off-camera flash.
The thing totally baffles me.
I'm mostly ambient light - but I also know how to adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and EV to get the photo I want. I'm not saying there aren't times when flash isn't called for, BUT there's always a work-around
And to keep it iPhone-related, the LED flash on my phone seems to put off a greenish hue :\ And no, no plastic or case over the flash; I suspect it may depend on how close I am to the subject, but I haven't had time to just sit down & play with it.
The thing totally baffles me.
I'm mostly ambient light - but I also know how to adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and EV to get the photo I want. I'm not saying there aren't times when flash isn't called for, BUT there's always a work-around
And to keep it iPhone-related, the LED flash on my phone seems to put off a greenish hue :\ And no, no plastic or case over the flash; I suspect it may depend on how close I am to the subject, but I haven't had time to just sit down & play with it.
Yeah, I'm surprised because the auto-balance without the flash is really great. Fantastic, even.
So the fact that it doesn't even try when the flash comes on was something I wouldn't have guessed.
EDIT:
2 samples - First without flash - 2nd with.
Most cameras I've used would adjust the color somewhat when the flash comes on. But the iPhone seems content to stick with what it's got and let the flash make me into an ocean-grean sea creature.
(In other situations it skews really orange. Here, green.)
(I know the OP feels like he made a dumb thread 'cause his problem was easy to solve, but hey, look at all the other flash-related conversations you've managed to elicit! Thanks!)
I'm a bit of an amateur photographer, and after 2-3 years, I *just now* bought an off-camera flash.
The thing totally baffles me.
I'm mostly ambient light - but I also know how to adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and EV to get the photo I want. I'm not saying there aren't times when flash isn't called for, BUT there's always a work-around
And to keep it iPhone-related, the LED flash on my phone seems to put off a greenish hue :\ And no, no plastic or case over the flash; I suspect it may depend on how close I am to the subject, but I haven't had time to just sit down & play with it.
When I got my first DSLR, I didn't get a flash for a while. I got a decent one as a gift one year and discovered how huge of a difference it can make. Even with decent lighting, you can still have shadows. A flash is artificial, but it can really make an image pop when used strategically. Same with HDR photography. Both are artificial, but can make an amazing image. Photography lamps are also great for artifical light, but not so portable. It is all about being creative and learning how to take different types of pictures.
Yeah, skin tone is really bad with the flash. Would be a cool lighting effect for a movie though.
Yeah - my getting the flash was more of a "now I can't use the it's-too-dark-excuse" to go out and take pictures
I know it'll take some playing with and just getting used to - but I don't for a second regret forcing myself to learn the other controls, and NOT rely on having a flash.And I can't tell you how many washed-out photos I see, because people use their flash when it's not necessary :\
Absolutely. After you take many different types of pictures, you will learn when to use and not use a flash. Another reason for a flash is that larger aperture lenses are more expensive. For example, if you want to image a fast moving object in not so terrific lighting and all you have are smaller lenses, a flash is pretty much essential. Take a look at some of the photographers at sporting events. You'll see those guys with the enormous lenses. Those things are made to image moving objects in unfavorable lighting, from a distance where a flash does no good. They also cost +$10,000.
Really the flash thing is all debatable. As mentioned in the post above me, if you have a good camera and good flash, and know how to use the flash, then it's a great tool. On a phone and point and shoot cameras, I try not to use the flash if at all possible. Most phone flashes are LEDs which are terrible for pictures other than just to capture something that would have been too dark to see otherwise. Point and shoots usually don't have enough control over the flash to make it very useful.
So yeah, if you have a nice camera and flash, then a flash is great in certain situations, but I much prefer natural lighting in my photography, day and night. It also largely depends on your subject. Flash isn't a bad thing, but it also isn't a good thing if you use it wrong. Just don't plan on using the flash on the iPhone for really nice pictures, it won't happen.
So yeah, if you have a nice camera and flash, then a flash is great in certain situations, but I much prefer natural lighting in my photography, day and night. It also largely depends on your subject. Flash isn't a bad thing, but it also isn't a good thing if you use it wrong. Just don't plan on using the flash on the iPhone for really nice pictures, it won't happen.
I get similar results. I have no cover or protective film of any kind on my i4, but I get this bluish-green results when using the flash. It's exacerbated, or just more noticeable, when there is more white in the background.
You think they'd have at least made it so it automatically adjusts the WB if you set the flash to "on;" just set it for the color temperature of the flash, and you'll almost be set.
Hehe.
it is good because at least your thread made some people laugh, and you were cool about it when you learned what the problem was.. no harm no foul.