A "better" Pocket Bouncer

[RangerRick]

Just wanted to pass along my solution for being a "bouncer"! <grin>

Two things we're all trying to accomplish.

Softer lighting... bouncing our flashes to dramatically increase the size of the light source... and thus softening the light (all the way down to no shadows hardly at all). Bouncing the flash off the ceiling/walls accomplishes this. Problem is that sometimes... there is no ceiling within a reasonable distance or it's a strange (not white) color.

Second, is having a catch light in the eyes. My 580EX has a trariffic little catch light card that pulls up from the flash head. It does work... but sometimes it is not enough. Reason is that I often want a little more direct light than what this will produce.

My solution involves the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer. It lets me contol the light from my flash for several purposes.

1. I can use it as intended (full flash hits the Pocket Bouncer). Flash bounces off it and creates a larger light scource... and softens the light (more so for closer subjects).

2. I can also use it only as the catch light for a traditional bounce. It gets tilted back away from the flash so it's not in the direct path, but bounces a catch light that is about 4 times larger than my 580EX has.

3. Here's the trick. I can use it about half way in the path of the flash being used as a bounce... and it throws a much higher percentage of the light directly forward. This catch light is also a little softer (larger) then my flash would normally produce. I still get a great bounce off the ceiling too. So, I get two light sources for the price of one.

Here's what the pocket bouncer looks like on my camera with it at a near the halfway position.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/DSCF2909.jpg

Another with it backed off a little more.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/DSCF2908.jpg

As you can see... this techique really makes this infinately adjustable. And, of course... I can also bounce it off the back wall/ceiling behind me if a catch light is not important.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/DSCF2910.jpg

So, there you have it. For around $20... my solution for your bouncing needs.

And please don't throw your "tupperware" away... it's still fun to play with. <grin>

As always... shoot straight... and grin more,

[Curtis N]

This could be a good alternative to the (slightly more expensive) Promax System with its 80/20 bouncer and white insert. Of course you could use this technique with the 80/20 also, if the 20% is more than you want.

I'm curiuos - Did you experiment with different zoom settings on the flash? It would seem to me that wider zoom settings would throw more light on the bouncer, giving you another way to control the ratio.

[RangerRick]

This could be a good alternative to the (slightly more expensive) Promax System with its 80/20 bouncer and white insert. Of course you could use this technique with the 80/20 also, if the 20% is more than you want.

I'm curiuos - Did you experiment with different zoom settings on the flash? It would seem to me that wider zoom settings would throw more light on the bouncer, giving you another way to control the ratio.

Curtis,
No... I have not tried that. I'm typically leaving it at the 24mm setting (I think) on the 580EX. Interesting thought. Not sure of what the results might be. Hmmmmm... it might give you small amounts of control. Not sure.

I just like the controlability of being able to mix in some more flash-directed (from the camera's position) light to my subjects. Brings up the "shadowing" enough that things are not so "flat" to me. Just my taste I guess.

I guess that is what the 80/20 is really doing to. But now you can have any percentage you want. Maybe 20/80 is what is needed. :D

[Curtis N]

Maybe 20/80 is what is needed. :DThat's the thing. There's no set formula that works in all situations. If you're close to your subject, the little catchlight card might be enough. If you're back 15 feet, that 20% from the 80/20 may not be enough. Moving the pocket bouncer forward & back as you illustrate is one way to control the amount of light that gets thrown forward.

This is one of the reasons I recommend the simple index card & rubberband so much. You can move it up or down to bounce as much light as you want. I also like the Joe Demb Flip-it for the same reason (though I haven't tried one). It's all about control.

[RangerRick]

Guess I should include some quick examples.

I'm sitting on the same couch with 8 foot ceilings. Look at the shadow off the lamp shade in each pic to "see" what's happening.

100% bounce light with pocket bouncer as a catch light.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/IMG_3614-Frost.jpg

Here's the direct flash only.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/IMG_3615-Frost.jpg

And here's the mix of both.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e382/RangerRick56/Frost%20Photography/IMG_3613-Frost.jpg

Hope that helps.

[whitedime]

im having a hard time discerning a different between those three, nice job.

[Curtis N]

im having a hard time discerning a different between those three,Look at the shadows under his chin and palm.