The invention describes a method of controlling a segmented flash (10) having a plurality of flash segments (S1, S2, . . . , Sn), which method comprises the steps of measuring the forward voltages (Vf1, Vf2, . . . , Vfn) of the flash segments (S1, S2, . . . , Sn); and adjusting the brightness of the flash segments (S1, S2, . . . , Sn) on the basis of the measured forward voltages (Vf1, Vf2, . . . , Vfn) to achieve a desired illumination profile (P) for the segmented flash (10). The invention further describes a segmented flash system (1) comprising a segmented flash (10) with a plurality of flash segments (S1, S2, . . . , Sn), wherein each flash segment (S1, S2, . . . , Sn) is arranged to illuminate a portion (20) of a scene (2); and a flash driver (11) adapted to perform the steps of the inventive method to adjust the brightness of the flash segments (S1, S2, . . . , Sn).