Flash considerations

Trail camera flash is a big consideration when purchasing a new trail camera. The old style of white flash has been around for a long time and is a proven and dependable system. However, the newer infrared flash systems are becoming more popular and should only improve over time. I came across a great article on trailcameras.net about choosing the right flash and how to properly set up a camera to get the most out of your flash system. It is very informative and I encourage you to go and check out the rest of their site as well. Listed below is a copy of their article:
The flash of a scouting camera is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a deer camera. The obvious reason for this is the fact that the subject of your pictures moves most frequently after sun down. The flash must be strong enough to cover the subject area but not so strong that it whites out the entire picture. A starting point would be to research the "effective flash range" as proclaimed by the manufacturer.
If you plan on using the trail camera on the edge of an agriculture field then you would prefer a longer effective range than 15 feet. Conversely, if you are placing the game camera over a bait pile in a small field of planted pines then the 15 foot range could be all that is needed. One reason for this is the solid background of trees behind your bait pile will control and reflect the flash and make for a better picture. The very distant tree line on the agriculture field setting will require a much stronger flash. Whether you set up on the field or in the pines you will need to be sure to clear out the area between the camera and where you expect the deer to be. One reason is because if the camera is set out during periods of high temperatures then the movement of a small bush in front of the scouting camera could trigger false pictures. The main reason is that the bush or limb will cause “flash back” during night time shots. This is caused by the reflection of the flash off of the object. It will result in a very hot spot on the trail camera photograph that may be bright enough to wash out the picture. An example of this can be seen in a picture that was submitted by TrailCameras.net member Bella183. There is a dead limb that is stealing the flash from the picture. Cutting down that limb would make a big difference in the quality of the nighttime pictures.