If your flash looks harsh, flat, muddy, or “almost right,” one of these four controls is usually the reason.

Not theory.

Not lighting ratios.

Just the four controls that fix most indoor flash problems fast. This is a troubleshooting guide for moments when you’re already shooting and something looks off.

This guide is about fixing, not setting up. It shows you how to diagnose common flash issues and correct them by adjusting:

• angle

• distance

• height

• subject placement

These four controls handle the majority of indoor flash problems — especially in small rooms.

What you’ll learn

✔ Why turning up power usually makes things worse

✔ How to fix harsh or shiny faces without changing modifiers

✔ Why backgrounds blow out — and how to fix it instantly

✔ How to add shape without adding lights

✔ When to move the subject instead of the flash

✔ How small adjustments create big changes in tight spaces

Each problem is paired with a simple, physical fix you can apply immediately.

How the guide is structured

Each section follows the same format:

• The problem you’re seeing

• What’s actually causing it

• The first adjustment to make

• One optional secondary fix

• What not to change yet

No overthinking. No guesswork.

Who this is for

✔ Photographers using flash indoors

✔ Anyone working in apartments, offices, or small studios

✔ Beginners who feel lost once the flash fires

✔ Photographers who want consistent results without complexity

If your lighting setup is “close but not quite right,” this guide is for you.

What you get

✓ A concise, fast-reference troubleshooting PDF

✓ Repeatable fixes you can apply mid-shoot

✔ No ratios, math, or technical overload

✔ Designed for real shooting situations