flash photography

Dave Mac · Post by **Dave Mac** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:59 am

From some of the posts published here it appears that some of the contributing photographers use flash to get a picture.
Many years ago I visited a tropical butterfly garden and the use of flash photography was banned, seemingly to protect the specimens.
Its probably an impossible question to answer but does it harm the butterflies?
I would like to use my flash, mainly get more DOF but have shied away from its use, not least because I don’t want an enraged enthusiast bearing down on me for harming the insects

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:45 am

Quite often in attractions they ban things like flash and tripods, simply to prevent people getting high quality photographs that they could potentially make money from. This then allows the owner of the attraction to charge professional photographers for the privelege.

I had my tripod confiscated a dozen times when I was in Mexico.

I can't imagine a flash would cause damage to an insect.

Regards,

Chris

steveh · Post by **steveh** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:53 pm

I use the built in flash more than not when out and about.
I have to really as the sigma 150 is a long lens! Even then the flash really makes only a little difference as its so far away from the end of the lens and again as its a 150mm the subject is a fair distance away.

I often wonder what flash set up others with the sigma 150mm lens use themselves?

Xeract · Post by **Xeract** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:46 pm

I can't think why a flash would harm the insect, I think Chris is right the butterfly house you visited probably banned flash photography for reasons that have nothing to do with the butterflies.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:52 pm

The use of flash does disturb some species - just try using flash with one of the browns - Meadow Brown or Ringlet - they'll fly off before your shutter has even closed!

I think this might be the reason that flash is frowned upon in some situations - it may disturb an individual that might, for example, be in the middle of a courtship ritual, resulting in no pairing as a result.

I know that they ban the use of flash photography on the organised trips to see Large Blue at Green Down.

Cheers,

- Pete

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 3:44 pm

I used a flash on a Meadow Brown and it never flinched. But shot did not come out well. Well, it did fly off just after.

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:21 pm

I think this might be the reason that flash is frowned upon in some situations - it may disturb an individual that might, for example, be in the middle of a courtship ritual, resulting in no pairing as a result.

This begins to get a bit difficult if this is the case. Camera noise, as discussed elsewhere, or merely approaching a pair may disturb them.