Taking photos of hams with flash?

**Serena_jayne98** · 11-04-2016, 05:29 AM

I've never taken a photo of my hamsters with flash on as I thought it could really stress them out or maybe even damage their eyes. However I've seen a lot of photos on here of where it looks like the photos have been taken using flash. Am I just being silly in thinking you shouldn't do that?

Juliebrei · 11-04-2016, 05:36 AM

I generally just use the option where the light is just on for the photo instead of a flash. I'm hoping that's better for them, letting them adjust for the light instead of just flashing.

cypher · 11-04-2016, 05:57 AM

I worried about using flash initially but it doesn't seem to bother most of them, some can be a bit disturbed by it though, it's best to avoid it if you can but it doesn't seem to do any harm. I tend to diffuse my flash with a small bit of correx in front of it, you can use anything really but bits of semi opaque plastic work well.

pinkneon · 11-04-2016, 07:02 AM

I do use flash as the lights in my room make everything look orange and the lamp isn't bright enough to reach the side of the room Sweep is on ... He's not bothered and I try no to use it when he's looking directly at it. However most cameras have a few seconds delay so if he moves and looks up it's more likely to capture that! Only don't use it when there's enough natural daylight

**Serena_jayne98** · 11-04-2016, 07:09 AM

Okay guys thanks for clearing it up

Hamsterita · 11-04-2016, 08:11 AM

I'm interested in this topic too. Are you sure guys that it's completely safe?

I had this question too a couple of weeks ago when I wanted to participate on this forum month photo contest and I searched on the internet and I found several threads on other forums saying that it was bad for their eyes, and even that hamsters were stunned or shock after using cameras with flash. I've never tried after that, of course. Then, is that an urban legend?

**Cinnamon Bear** · 11-04-2016, 10:32 AM

I find that some hams don't mind it where other hams photo flash scares them. I take alot of photos but probably not with Angel, as she clearly let me know that it scares her. I'll probably use cell phone to get pics, but with the cell phone the animal has to be perfectly still or the pic is blurry. With the flash you get a higher quality photo. I think some hams don't like it but just tolerate it.

Rads · 11-04-2016, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serena_jayne98

I've never taken a photo of my hamsters with flash on as I thought it could really stress them out or maybe even damage their eyes. However I've seen a lot of photos on here of where it looks like the photos have been taken using flash. Am I just being silly in thinking you shouldn't do that?

What camera are you using? Does it have a separate flash? I use a DSLR and modify the flash so it is not firing directly at our Ham Pip, that way you get a nicely exposed image with a good catchlight in the eyes..

**Serena_jayne98** · 11-04-2016, 02:34 PM

I just use my phone or my little Sony Cybershot camera and I'm too scared to use flash at all in case I shock them, but it is so hard to get good photos of the little wrigglers, 90% of them come out blurry

Rads · 11-04-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serena_jayne98

I just use my phone or my little Sony Cybershot camera and I'm too scared to use flash at all in case I shock them, but it is so hard to get good photos of the little wrigglers, 90% of them come out blurry

Yes it is quite a challenge, even shooting at 1/250th of a second with 2nd curtain sync on the flash...
The flash will be ok to modify the output on your cybershot just pop a bit of greaseproof paper over it which will soften the light from it.