When using flash in bright daylight, what effect can occur?

Using flash in bright daylight often results in overexposure, primarily due to the combination of ambient and flash light. In bright conditions, the camera's metering system tends to prioritize the available ambient light, which can lead the camera to adjust settings that do not account for the additional light produced by the flash. This inadvertent scenario can cause the flash to illuminate the subject excessively, often leading to areas that are overly bright or washed out in the final image.

Moreover, bright daylight conditions usually require fast shutter speeds to prevent excessive light from entering the camera, which can further complicate how the flash interacts with the exposure settings. Consequently, without careful adjustments, using flash during these conditions can easily push the overall exposure beyond optimal levels.

Understanding this effect is important for photographers who want to control exposure and ensure that their images maintain the desired balance between highlights and shadows, especially when working in challenging lighting situations.