flash position when taking vertical shots

[groupeejerd]

hello....

got a question when taking pictures using 580ex. :D
scenario: taking pics inside a church. vertical shots of people.

how do you position 580ex so it could bounce of light and be able to get a good distribution of it without having one side being lit more than the other? do you use the catchlight too?

thanks!!!

[cdifoto]

Get a flash bracket. I have this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=326964

I don't always use it. It's too bulky for casual everyday use, but when flash shots are of utmost importance (ie a wedding, banquet, etc), it gets a workout.

You'll need a sync cord too if you get a bracket (regardless of what kind):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12972&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Here's what it all looks like (XT+Grip & 24-70 f/2.8L):

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/vertiflashhoriz.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/vertiflashvert.jpg

[jjonsalt]

If the ceiling is low enough and you use a flash bracket that allows the flash to be "flipped", using a LumiQuest 80-20 is a good way to go. If the ceiling is too high for bounce then a LumiQuest Big Bounce may be the answer.

[Curtis N]

Welcome to POTN! :D

Flash brackets such as the one shown above are necessary for direct flash, to prevent side shadows then the camera is oriented vertically. If you have a low enough ceiling that you can bounce it, just swivel the flash 60 or 90 degrees to the right so that it's pointed at the ceiling when you rotate the camera for a vertical shot.

[groupeejerd]

thanks for the quick reply.

it's a bit bulky though but i think i'll consider it for the next events. however, if am pressed with time and i only have the 580ex as an option, how then should i swivel the flash? :confused:

thanks again!!!

[cdifoto]

Welcome to POTN! :D

Flash brackets such as the one shown above are necessary for direct flash, to prevent side shadows then the camera is oriented vertically. If you have a low enough ceiling that you can bounce it, just swivel the flash 60 or 90 degrees to the right so that it's pointed at the ceiling when you rotate the camera for a vertical shot.


Unless you're bouncing straight up, you'll still get side shadows. The key is to keep the flash above the lens. You'll also reduce/eliminate red-eye that way.

[groupeejerd]

Welcome to POTN! :D

If you have a low enough ceiling that you can bounce it, just swivel the flash 60 or 90 degrees to the right so that it's pointed at the ceiling when you rotate the camera for a vertical shot.

does this mean then that i should increase FEC?

thanks :D

[cdifoto]

thanks for the quick reply.

it's a bit bulky though but i think i'll consider it for the next events. however, if am pressed with time and i only have the 580ex as an option, how then should i swivel the flash? :confused:

thanks again!!!

If you're indoors and the ceiling is low enough, use a bounce card and aim the flash straight up. This will throw some light forward but also give you enough from the flash off the ceiling to reduce the side shadows. Here's my bounce card rig (ugly but effective):

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/bouncecard/2005-12-15-008.jpg

It's 2 sheets of heavy paper with aluminum foil sandwiched in between.

[groupeejerd]

wow... i guess the best is to use the flash bracket with something like this. if am going to use this for a wedding, then i do need to get a bounce card somehow. something to think about then. thanks!!!

[Curtis N]

does this mean then that i should increase FEC?In theory, it shouldn't matter. But in my experience, bounced shots come out a bit dark unless I crank up the FEC about 2/3 stop.

As always, take some test shots, check your histogram and adjust accordingly.

[cdifoto]

wow... i guess the best is to use the flash bracket with something like this. if am going to use this for a wedding, then i do need to get a bounce card somehow. something to think about then. thanks!!!

I hope for your AND the bride's sake you aren't doing this as the primary photographer for pay. It sounds like you aren't even remotely prepared.

[munchy]

Cool - necessity is the mutha of invention and all...

I've been playing around with the ideas on this site (http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmit/bounceflashtoys.html), very much the same kind of thing...

[cdifoto]

Here's a sample from using my bounce card if anyone's curious. I've posted it before but I figure it never hurts to show it again. A real-life snapshot taken on Christmas Day, not a test subject.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/kyle/2005-12-25_057.jpg

[blue_max]

I get the impression that you may not be aware that the 580ex will swivel sideways as well as up and down. Just press the button on the side and turn.

Sorry if you were well aware, but if you don't know...


Graham

[groupeejerd]

don't worry... am not the prime photographer here. just a pleasant nuisance :lol::lol:

and yes, am aware i can swivel the 580ex ;)

thanks a lot guys. i'll take your answers as assignments for me to do. :D

[JohnCollins]

You know, that's the scond time I've seen that shot. Terrific.

Ugly or not, I gotta make me one of those. As you recall, I posted a home-grown bounce device, but this one is very well thought out and I just love the results you get with it.

Thanks again!

John

[StealthLude]

I hope for your AND the bride's sake you aren't doing this as the primary photographer for pay. It sounds like you aren't even remotely prepared.

HAHAHAHA, thats actually pretty funny.

I too shot my cousins wedding, but not as the main photographer. After shooting i realized now much prep work is involved and how much equiptment is needed to pull off a profesional job. They had the entire venu strobed with pocket wizards...

I STILL GOT THE LAST LAUGH THO, since i was sniping shots from the 2nd story balcony with a 70-200 IS L and got the picture of the groom putting the ring on the brides finger.

I also showed that shot to the hired shooters and they were much impressed. Boosts confidence but I still got a lot to learn.

[jjonsalt]

Welcome to POTN! :D

Flash brackets such as the one shown above are necessary for direct flash, to prevent side shadows then the camera is oriented vertically. If you have a low enough ceiling that you can bounce it, just swivel the flash 60 or 90 degrees to the right so that it's pointed at the ceiling when you rotate the camera for a vertical shot.

Another thing about a flash bracket is it keeps the flash (and some are large) off the camera's hot shoe which could weaken with alot of use.