Do I need an external flash?

[Grasher]

I'm trying to decide whether to buy an external flash to use with my Sony A200. At the moment I pretty much never use the flash as I prefer to use available light from a window or just shoot outdoors. However, my wife is now pregnant with our second child and I want to get the best possible photos of the baby when they're born so I'm thinking of getting an external flash to use either bounced off the ceiling or with a softbox head on it.

My question is: do I need this or would I get equal/better results from using available light and a reflector (which I have). I've already had a look at strobist and a few other sites so I'm happy that I understand the technical part of it sufficiently. I'll be shooting with a f1.8 50mm prime so I already have a (reasonably) fast lens.

All advice appreciated.

 

[Doylem]

Get a flashgun by all means (those little built-in flashes are pretty hopeless: no power and in just the the wrong place...). But for those baby or 'mother & baby' shots, I'd be thinking more of using available window light: soft, directional light that flatters rather than overwhelms. And flash can be very intrusive... especially in the quiet moments you may want to capture...

 

[El Cabong]

My question is: do I need this or would I get equal/better results from using available light and a reflector (which I have). I've already had a look at strobist and a few other sites so I'm happy that I understand the technical part of it sufficiently. I'll be shooting with a f1.8 50mm prime so I already have a (reasonably) fast lens.

All advice appreciated.

Although I prefer shooting with a large aperture using available light, in certain cases, there simply isn't enough light available, or it's coming from a direction that doesn't work for the shot (e.g. strong backlight). Having the option of bouncing the flash off a wall/ceiling is much better than being forced to use the built-in blind-your-subject(s)-and-make-them-look-awful flash. Using it wirelessly off-camera gives you even more control.

 

[compuwar]

I'm trying to decide whether to buy an external flash to use with my Sony A200. At the moment I pretty much never use the flash as I prefer to use available light from a window or just shoot outdoors. However, my wife is now pregnant with our second child and I want to get the best possible photos of the baby when they're born so I'm thinking of getting an external flash to use either bounced off the ceiling or with a softbox head on it.

My question is: do I need this or would I get equal/better results from using available light and a reflector (which I have). I've already had a look at strobist and a few other sites so I'm happy that I understand the technical part of it sufficiently. I'll be shooting with a f1.8 50mm prime so I already have a (reasonably) fast lens.

All advice appreciated.

A reflector requires the primary source to be in the right place, or the subjects to move to the right place. A flash allows you to put the light where you want it, and if done well doesn't scream "artificial." Build a "better bounce card" and practice with it if you don't want to spend ~$50 on a soft box. Also, Google "Dragging the shutter." I'd also recommend a copy of "Light: Science and Magic."

Paul