如果从街拍角度看，闪光灯并不是必需品。对我来说，它更是几乎从未使用过的工具。我一直有些执拗地信奉自然光摄影。
最近偶然看到一段介绍知名摄影师 Bruce Gilden（布鲁斯·吉尔登）街拍现场的视频。他是马格南图片社（Magnum Photos）的成员，以极近距离、强烈闪光的人物肖像而闻名。我无意模仿他那种极具侵略性的近距离拍摄方式，但看过他的作品之后，我对闪光摄影有了新的认识。
于是我购入了一支闪光灯，也有幸参加了这次夜景人像拍摄活动。这次想尝试拍摄一组偏时尚风格的夜景人像。这也是我多年以后第一次重新使用闪光灯。
这支闪光灯的指数约为 GN 18。为了给闪光灯留出更多输出余量，我把相机 ISO 设为 800，机身使用 M 档手动曝光，闪光灯则开启 TTL 自动模式。如果画面曝光偏亮或偏暗，再通过闪光曝光补偿进行微调，通常从 ±0.3EV 或 ±0.7EV 开始尝试就可以。
这次使用的是 TTL 自动闪光。它的优点是方便，闪光灯会根据相机的测光信息自动调整输出。不过，TTL 并不意味着每次都能得到完全一致的曝光。画面中明暗区域的比例、主体与背景的变化，以及反光材质等因素，都可能影响测光结果，必要时仍然需要通过闪光曝光补偿来修正。
也有不少摄影师习惯使用 M 手动闪光模式。它需要根据 ISO、光圈、拍摄距离和闪光功率来控制曝光，刚开始确实需要一些计算和测试。但在拍摄距离与布光条件相对固定时，手动模式更容易获得稳定、可重复的输出。这也是我以后想进一步尝试的方式。
如果你也使用闪光灯，欢迎留言聊聊自己的使用习惯，以及在什么情况下会选择 TTL 或 M 模式。
仓街的夜景很美。这次拍摄还让我重新感受到佳能标头拍人像的乐趣。相比 RX1R2，单反的光学取景更直接，50mm 焦距也更容易获得我喜欢的虚化效果。还有单反特有的快门“咔嚓”声，确实很带感。反过来，这时全静默的 RX1R2 倒像个哑巴一样，让我有点不习惯。当然，它的主战场还是街拍。
ENGLISH
From a street-photography perspective, a flash is hardly essential. In my own work, it has been an especially rare tool. I have long been a rather stubborn believer in natural light.
Recently, I happened to watch a video about the street photography of Bruce Gilden, the well-known Magnum Photos photographer famous for his extremely close-up portraits made with direct, powerful flash. I have no intention of imitating his highly confrontational way of photographing people at close range. Still, seeing his work gave me a fresh perspective on flash photography.
That prompted me to buy a flash, and I was fortunate to join this night portrait session. My idea was to make a set of night portraits with a fashion-oriented feel. It was also my first time using a flash again in many years.
The flash has a guide number of around 18. To give it more room to work, I set the camera to ISO 800, used Manual exposure on the camera, and selected TTL automatic flash. If the result looked a little too bright or too dark, I could fine-tune it with flash exposure compensation, usually starting around ±0.3 or ±0.7 EV.
I used TTL for this session. Its main advantage is convenience: the flash automatically adjusts its output based on the camera's metering information. But TTL does not guarantee perfectly consistent exposure every time. The balance of bright and dark areas in the frame, changes in the subject or background, and reflective surfaces can all affect the metering result. Flash exposure compensation is still useful when corrections are needed.
Some photographers prefer Manual flash mode. It takes a little calculation and testing at first, since exposure depends on ISO, aperture, shooting distance, and flash power. But when the distance and lighting setup remain relatively consistent, Manual mode makes it easier to achieve predictable, repeatable results. It is something I would like to explore next.
If you use flash, feel free to share your own approach—and when you choose TTL over Manual, or the other way around.
Cangjie Street looks beautiful at night. This session also reminded me how much I enjoy using a Canon prime lens for portraits. Compared with the RX1R2, the DSLR's optical viewfinder feels more direct, while the 50mm focal length gives me the background blur I like. And there is something satisfying about the distinct *click* of a DSLR's shutter. By comparison, the completely silent RX1R2 felt almost mute, and I found myself missing that sound. Of course, its natural home is still street photography.
