Flash modes are the various settings on a camera that control how and when the built-in or external flash fires. Many modern cameras automatically detect low light conditions and fire the flash as needed, but photographers can also select specific modes to increase creative control and versatility in different lighting situations.
Common flash modes include Red-eye reduction, which fires a pre-flash to minimise red pupils in portraits; Off, which disables the automatic flash, allowing long exposures for night photography; On, which forces the flash to fire as fill-in light to reduce harsh shadows or illuminate subjects in dim conditions; and Slow Sync, which synchronizes the flash with a slower shutter speed to capture ambient light, creating motion trails or artistic effects. Understanding flash modes allows photographers to manage lighting creatively and achieve balanced, professional-quality images in a variety of settings.