Flash head position

[Keiffer]

Why and when shouldn't you have the flash head pointed directly at your subject? Should it only be pointed up or sideways just for bounce(diffusion) indoors? I've been getting used to my metz and on a few(all indoors so far) I don't see much of a difference, if any between 60 degrees and 45 degrees. None have been taken in smalls rooms so I don't know if that has alot to do with it.

[tim]

The reasons not to use direct flash are light quality and red eye. Direct flash illuminates people evenly and leaves no shadows, which makes for a flat picture. A flash bracket helps a bit with both of these problems.

[Keiffer]

Thanks Tim, So is there a standard for outdoor shots? I can't see why not using 45 degrees if you can't bounce it, Or am I missing something here? I totally understand indoors, Just outdoors has me alittle lost.

[tim]

If you use it at 45 degrees all you're doing is wasting power, the only light that hits them will be even more harsh since the area of the flash that illuminates them will be even smaller. Either use direct flash, diffused flash, or bounced into an umbrella, depending on how much trouble you want to go to.