At what distance from your intended subject should you be before adjusting the flash for proper aim?

When determining the appropriate distance from your subject before adjusting the flash for proper aim, five feet is a practical guideline. This distance allows you to effectively assess the lighting and composition of your shot without being too far removed from the subject, which can affect the accuracy of your adjustments.

Being five feet away typically provides a good balance. It allows for adequate visibility of the subject details, ensuring that you can see how the light interacts with them. Adjusting the flash from this range enables you to observe the light's direction, intensity, and any shadows that may be created.

If you were to stand too close, you might find that the flash causes harsh shadows or overexposure. Conversely, being too far away could result in underexposed images or difficulties in visualizing how the light would fall on the subject. Thus, setting up five feet away helps achieve a more accurate approximation of the final image quality.