flash bracket question

[imhotep]

Is there such a thing as "too high" when it comes to flash brackets that mount the flash unit high above the camera body? I like the Stoboframe CameraFlip, and it mounts the flash about 12 inches above the camera. What is the benefit of this?

[Curtis N]

Increasing the distance between flash and lens increases the angle between the two from the subject's perspective. This is a major factor in creating (or preventing) redeye. The further you are from your subject, the more distance you need between lens and flash to avoid redeye. Preventing redeye is one of the main reasons to use a bracket, especially when doing group shots indoors where you need to be a fair distance away.

Can it be too high? theoretically, yes. But it's generally not a problem with a flash bracket at "normal" portrait distances.

Sometimes when I'm using the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer (which moves the light source even higher) on a bracket, if I get really close (5 feet or so) I can get some ugly chin shadows.