wide2tele Loc: Australia

Maybe I'm just missing the topics but it appears daylight flash is rarely used.
How many people go out with a hot shoe mounted flash attached to their camera in daylight?
Why do you or why do you not?

tcthome Loc: NJ

I only have used my flash twice in 5 years. Both inside. I would for a backlit portrait photo like at sunset if needed. Also for small birds in a woodland area but haven't yet.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If I need a flash, I generally use the built-in. I would avoid buying a camera without one - like Nikon's replacement for my D750.

ELNikkor

I always take a flash into the woods since my D40. All my Nikons have a built-in flash. 2 things I require: built-in flash and moveable rear screen, the rest is piffle...

BebuLamar

Using flash in daylight the flash has to be powerful and built in flash isn't powerful enough.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I use fill flash frequently outside, especially when shooting at close distances. I never go anywhere without one of my SB-400s, and if I anticipate conditions requiring it, like longer shooting distances, I'll take one of my SB-800s. I quit using the pop-up flashes on my D200 and D300 long ago when I discovered that any decent lens I might be using vignetted every bit of useful light when I was shooting close up.

Properly applied outdoor fill will almost always add punch and clarity to images, it also is important in managing the garish contrast that can result from shooting in bright sunlight.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mark, first off, I rarely use flash. However, when I do on-camera is probably one of the worst locations. As of late, the majority of the flash work I've done, the flash is built into the lens. I've used this in daylight. Any other daylight strobe work is done with multiple strobes on stands with light modifiers.
--Bob

Bison Bud

I too see the value of an on camera flash, especially for use as a fill flash for people or objects in front of bright backgrounds. However, the built in flash can be of value indoors as well. Generally, not as powerful as an external flash, but I've found mine to be very serviceable and have even used it for "Low Key" photos at flower shows, etc. While I do have a hot shoe, external, flash, which is more flexible and powerful, I only take it when I know that flash photography is going to be a primary function of the day's shoot. However the on board flash is always there should I need it! I currently shoot a Pentax K3 and at the time I bought it, the K3 II was their flagship body. One of the primary reasons I choose the K3 over the K3 II was that the K3 had an onboard flash and the K3 II did not. In any case, saying that on board flashes are useless is simply BS. Good luck and good shooting to all.

srt101fan

Another meaningless generalization where an "it depends" answer with examples could be much more educational.

ashriverguy Loc: Rural Minnesota

I seldom use my "pop-up" flash BUT it has saved the day a few times, especially impromptu situations at a sunset. I got some great photos in Florida of a friend fighting a shark while fishing on the beach. The flash was just enough to light him properly against the beautiful sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico. I have also used it photographing individuals, couples and groups with the setting sun as a background with great results. Yes, I do have a nice speed light but unfortunately it’s not with me most of the time.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Fill flash.
And it is situational. A little soft fill shooting someone in shadow (like under a tree) with a bright background can save you even if it is casual travel photography. Outdoor events really require some fill especially in a tent.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...it appears daylight flash is rarely used..." Mark it has oft been said that the difference between an enthusiast photographer and a commercial shooter is mastery of flash... I honestly don't know any commercial wedding and/or portrait photographers who don't use speedlights (or speedlites for canon shooters). Virtually all deploy speedlights in these scenarios.

That said many will rely on an assistant to position the flash remotely... In fact I assist a wedding shooter who has me hold her speedlite with small softbox on a short boom arm while she captures wedding reception imagery.

As for on camera? Yes I use this with a speedlight pointed up to bounce either off a ceiling or sans a ceiling with an attached 5x7 inch reflector. Works great especial with my Nikon kit which allows me nuanced fine control between ambient and flash.

In fact for strong back-lighting scenarios I actually use my camera's built in flash which I throttle back about -0.7 to -1.3 stops. This provides stellar catch lights in the talents eyes and illuminates those pesky eye socket shadows. See example below.

Mark at the end of the day flash is merely another tool in one's kit, albeit a very complex and challenging one to deploy with finesse. So easy to take flat lifeless portraiture with same however it can be (and is) an effective tool which takes considerable time and practice to master. Best advice? Get a cosmetology hair mannequin, place it on a light stand outside and invest some quality time practicing with your kit. Shoe mounted flash units have a myriad of modifiers, find ones that work best for your visual statement.

Hope this helps Mark.
All the best on your photographic journey.
.

Built in Flash used in a strong back-lighting scenario

(Download)

Haydon

I'll use it for fill flash for portrait work and use the sun as a rim light, although I prefer to use off-camera flash for light positioning that is more flattering than on camera flash would offer.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't usually use a flash attached to the camera, even for fill. I use remote flash with wireless triggers and light modifiers for much better control and results.

Craigdca Loc: California

I’m glad I caught your comments here and appreciate the photo you attached. I especially appreciate how you throttle back the built-in flash as I find it to be glary. I was excited to discover the setting a few months ago and will be more aggressive than my current one-third reduction.