quick question: bouncing off a black wall

[ryandavid__]

what would happen if you bounced a flash off a black wall?
(i would just try it, but i don't have a flash - unit yet. )



thanks, Ryan.

[TeeJay]

Ryan, the *colour* black, is just that - black, because it absorbes (and therfore doesn't reflect) any colour. (the true technical explanation is a little more complex than that)

So, no (or very little) light will get reflected.

TJ

[Curtis N]

You would need to throw a lot of light on it to get a significant amount to bounce back.

[b1gdaddy]

You would need to throw a lot of light on it to get a significant amount to bounce back.

Sounds like the perfect excuse to buy more lights.

[ryandavid__]

ah, of course.
I looked past that. I was just thinking about a little venue near me, that has black walls, and ceilings, and i've watch photogs. bounce off it. And was thinking I might be able to get some nice shots next time I go down with my camera by bouncing off the close walls with 'a better bounce card' or something along those lines.

oh well. thanks for the replies.
i'll go and sulk now.

Ryan.

[René Damkot]

You'll loose about 4 to 5 stops compared to a white wall, but it will work. Been there done that...
Not all black walls are equally black. Also, in a venue like a club, there's likely to be some haze in the air from either smoke or fog machines. That will also bounce back some light.

[Wilt]

I was just thinking about a little venue near me, that has black walls, and ceilings, and i've watch photogs. bounce off it. .

Just goes to prove that watching what others do is often the best way to find out the WRONG way of doing something!

I have seen a pro with a Bron light on a stand 30' from a group, and using an absurd Stoffen on the on-camera flash -- wasting light and not providing any increase in apparent light source size.

[cdifoto]

Just goes to prove that watching what others do is often the best way to find out the WRONG way of doing something!

Not necessarily. I reserve judgment of others' technique until I see some images using that technique.