off camera flash, techniques?

[sGu]

I just bought a off shoe camera cord for my 1D and 550EX, would like to try some off camera flash/fill flash.

Does anyone use this tool when use indoor and outdoors?

[snibbetsj]

I bought one for using with my 420EX off-camera. I put it on a flash bracket. I've used it one time and it works well. If I was doing a wedding or something where I needed a flash all the time I'd use it more. Get a good flash bracket, buying a cheapie will be more trouble than it's worth.

Jeff

[robertwgross]

Get a good flash bracket, buying a cheapie will be more trouble than it's worth.


What Jeff stated is very true. A cheap bracket may fit only one camera body in one configuration. The better brackets tend to have more adjustments so that they are adaptable to a wider range of equipment (considering the height of a camera body with or without a battery grip and the width of a flash unit).

---Bob Gross---

[sGu]

I haven't thought about flash bracket yet, just wanna learn how to use it off camera flash with different positions and directions first, mostly like handheld for now

[robertwgross]

I haven't thought about flash bracket yet, just wanna learn how to use it off camera flash with different positions and directions first, mostly like handheld for now

If you think about it, you'll see that it is difficult or awkward to try to use a 1D and a 550EX and the cord without a flash bracket.

---Bob Gross---

[sGu]

I'm fine with 1D+17-40mm or 50mm 1.4 single handheld, and it's a lot easier with hand strap, so it's not a problem for me at the moment, plus flash is not gonna be on top of the camera, otherwise i'd be struggling a bit.

So i guess nobody really uses off camera flash then ... :roll:

[robertwgross]

So i guess nobody really uses off camera flash then ... :roll:

No, quite the contrary.

Of all of my wedding photography, I use off-camera flash about 96% of the time.

If you are using a 550EX off-camera with a 1D, then you are using the off camera shoe cord, and a flash bracket is almost mandatory.

---Bob Gross---

[J___]

whats a flash bracket? and whats it look like?

[Daytripper]

whats a flash bracket? and whats it look like?

They look just like normal brackets, but with more 'bling'. :wink:

[J___]

whats a flash bracket? and whats it look like?

They look just like normal brackets, but with more 'bling'. :wink:

so they just look like normal on-camera bracket ? whats the point of getting them then?

[nosquare2003]

J, I don't fully understand your question but I try to reply:

Putting the flash on the top helps to "eliminate" shadows. You can compare your shots with landscape position (flash on top) and portrait position(flash on sideway) for shadow.

For people photography, portrait position is always used. And it'd be better to have a flash bracket to change the flash position to the top.

It seems that many people are interested in hand grip than flash bracket?!

[J___]

oh... so it's just used to change the flash'es position on the camera? so is it a cube with 3 bracket on top for the flash to be attached up, left and right?

[sGu]

seems nobody can really answer technique side of the question, apart from stating that a flash bracket is a must :roll: i guess i'll just have to play with different position myself to see the effects.

[snibbetsj]

Here is a flash bracket. There's many different kinds and makes but they all do the same thing, they get the flash off the camera and most of them will allow you to rotate the camera into portrait mode and keep the flash above the camera.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=105119&is=REG

sGu, I don't know what kind of techniques you might be looking for, the cord is only 2 feet long so you can't do a whole lot with it, except maybe hold to the side or above you head. You might want to put the flash on a cheap tripod and use the ST-E2 transmitter to fire it.

Jeff

[neil_r]

sGu

I have played with off camera flash using a Metz both on and off a bracket (minus the bling, just the classic black :lol: )

This was both using 35mm and digital. I have also used on camera flash with a second flash either held off camera or mounted on a support.

In all these cases I could not use TTL or ETTL so a flash meter was essential. Latterly with digital I have had the luxury of being able to “hit and hope” with instant review of the success, or otherwise.

I have had some good results and some disasters. The headshots I took of my son were all with either one or two flashes off camera.

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/list.php?exhibition=29

Just do it, show us the good ones and the bad ones….. well they didn’t happen


N

[sGu]

thanks Neil, i'll play with it myself and learn by trial and error.

also i'm getting a second 550EX brand new for under £200!!! :D

time for some light manipulating :wink:

[Boudreaux]

sGu,

This month's Shutterbug mag has an article that describes reasons to get flash off camera. Article discusses different ways but really focuses on use of radio slaves. Writer is a Canon user and I believe shows him holding a 1Ds while hand holding a 550ex.

http://www.shutterbug.com/features/1004sb_offcamera/

This may show you some alternatives.

[RichardtheSane]

whats a flash bracket? and whats it look like?

They look just like normal brackets, but with more 'bling'. :wink:

*snort*

Thanks for the laugh ;)

sGu:-
I use a 10D with grip and the off shoe chord connected to my 550ex. Not quite the weight of a 1D but hey - getting close.

Anyway I tend to adjust the position of the flash depending on what I want to achieve. My favourite position is held off ot the side (left for me) held high. I find that this can help to reduce shadows behind your subject and it also allows to to get the flash a long way from the camera but still direct it at your subject with ease.

Something I also do when shooting dogs is fasten the 550 to the top of my tripod and then move away with the camera. This allows me to try different camera angles while still knowing where the lighting is coming from.

Just a couple of things to try for you :)

[sGu]

sGu,

This month's Shutterbug mag has an article that describes reasons to get flash off camera. Article discusses different ways but really focuses on use of radio slaves. Writer is a Canon user and I believe shows him holding a 1Ds while hand holding a 550ex.

http://www.shutterbug.com/features/1004sb_offcamera/

This may show you some alternatives.

Thanks for the link, it was a great read!

RichardtheSane, thanks, i'll keep that in mind when i get around to give it a go myself :D