Using Flash (550EX) for Weddings

[dpanicc1]

Hi,

I've been monitoring a lot of the "wedding" posts and there are sure quite a few experts here. I really love the fact that this resource is available. Anyway, I have a question about candid flash shots. I read many posts that say "get the flash off of the camera" (I have a 550EX) and "use a slave (420EX) in addition to the master flash." I assume these are wedding reception shots that are being discussed, or shots where flash is allowed. Can someone elaborate on the following:

What is the advantage, specifically, of "getting the 550EX off the camera" and what's the best way to do that?

WHEN and HOW do photographers use a slave flash at wedding?

How is the slave supported: assistant, tripod?

I am thinking that someday I may want to venture down this path but I am also a realist and know I have a lot to learn; I figured I'd ask these questions; hope you folks don't mind a few newbie questions.

Thanks,
Dan

Note: I have a 10D and a 550EX

[G3]

The advantage of getting the flash off the camera is twofold. First, you avoid "red-eye" in the subject. Secondly, The flash is a little less direct on the face of the subject and helps cut down on harsh shadows a little.

The best way to get the flash off the camera is to use a Stroboframe, or some other brand of off-camera flash bracket.

I usually use the little tabletop stand that comes with the 550EX and 420EX to mount the slave flash on a spare tripod. It has a tripod mount on the bottom of it.

I use a slave flash a lot, and for different things. I might want to hairlight or sidelight with the slave and use the main flash for fill. Sometimes I pop the slave into a reflector for diffused sidelighting. Sometimes I use the slave for side-fill where the angle of the main and subject might create shadows on that side.

[dpanicc1]

Do you use an OmniBounce, bounce flash, or straight-away for fill?

[G3]

I usually use direct for fill. E-TTL is pretty good at calculating that.

[kanwingshing]

IMO, off camera flash is almost a must where you use 550 / 420.

1) reduces risk of red-eye
2) put the flash on a rotating bracket so that it always stays of top no matter you shoot in landscape or portrait orientation

When I shoot with by 550 flash, I always put it on a Pro-T bracket with a E-TTL extension cord.

As of the use of slave to sync another flash, unless you have an assistant or you are pretty experience in what you are doing, I would recommend you to leave it out. Less equipement involve equals less chance of making errors :wink:

[dpanicc1]

Thanks kanwingshing and G3 for the recommendation; that would certainly simplify things. And thanks for everyone else's suggestions and insight.

[Dick Arnold]

I did weddings by myself. I never used a second flash. When you take four hundred pictures you generally don't have time to fool with lighting. I always used stroboframe and shot most of my pictures with flash, even outdoors at one stop under ambient light. You cannot always shoot with the sun to your back and fill helps with shadows and to open up close ups. I never had a client complaint. I had a studio where I usually used three lights for wedding portraits but controlled conditions in a studio are much different than the crush of formals between the wedding and the reception where everyone wants to drink wedding champagne. I used to work at least five or six hours at a wedding and reception and did a lot of candids with the frame. At some times you are very rushed at critical points. I did not use flash shooting a ceremony, however.