What is fill flash and when is it useful?

• A. A low-power flash added to fill shadows in bright scenes or backlit situations
• B. A high-power flash used as the main light source
• C. A flash used only to freeze action
• D. A flash used to create dramatic red-eye

Answer: (A)

Fill flash is a low-power flash used to add light to the subject’s shaded areas when there’s already bright ambient light. The goal is to balance exposure so you can see detail in the shadows without letting the background overwhelm the scene. It’s especially useful in sunny outdoor or backlit situations where the subject would otherwise look dark or silvery against a bright background. By keeping the flash at a reduced power, you fill in the shadows just enough to produce a natural-looking result, rather than overpowering the scene. You can adjust the amount of fill with camera or flash settings to taste, and you’ll often use it with the flash on-camera or bounced to soften the light.