Flash Outdoors (fill)

[_Jo_]

I find on a bright sunny day my flash fill is a little harsh.

I have used a plastic diffuser - and played around with my settings but still find it rather bright.
Of course with nowhere to bounce - except the bright blue sky! - I am looking for a diffuser of sorts to try.

I want a soft face fill without blowing the dress but am struggling to find a balance.

I am (loathe to say it) itching to try a Lightsphere while doing a wedding...

I have searched the forum and read very mixed reactions to it.

Do you use (or have you tried) a diffuser of any kind?

I am looking at buying a knock-off version to have a play with - it can't hurt right?! lol

I will admit, I have never been able to master the knack of flash photography and to be honest would rather shoot without!

[_Jo_]

I just found this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Camera-accessories/Flashes-lighting/auction-194360275.htm

This may be worth a try for direct flash when using fill flash outside?

[tim]

Small soft boxes don't do much, I have one but don't bother. I use an assistant with a 580EX shooting through a white umbrella, with a battery pack.

[_Jo_]

Small soft boxes don't do much, I have one but don't bother. I use an assistant with a 580EX shooting through a white umbrella, with a battery pack.

mmmm I doubt it would fill much past a foot or 2 anyway. I have an assistant with me on the 3rd so will just bounce with an umbrella on the beach. I always want to try these gadgets out - but never end up doing it. I need to spend more time playing with light!

[samnz]

I have used the Joe Demb Big Flip It (http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/) for a couple of years and it's quite good aye. You can vary the amount of flash-to-subject by adjusting the angle of the reflector.

It's mounted on the shortside of the flash as opposed too the long side (back) this allows you to create side lighting very quickly.

There are others out there, but this one's pretty idiot-proof :)

As for outdoor lighting, experiment more with your settings Jo. I don't normally use any type of diffuser outdoors - not even the Flip It. You get some pretty good lighting from an off-camera single light source as well.

[_Jo_]

I have used the Joe Demb Big Flip It (http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/) for a couple of years and it's quite good aye. You can vary the amount of flash-to-subject by adjusting the angle of the reflector.

It's mounted on the shortside of the flash as opposed too the long side (back) this allows you to create side lighting very quickly.

There are others out there, but this one's pretty idiot-proof :)

As for outdoor lighting, experiment more with your settings Jo. I don't normally use any type of diffuser outdoors - not even the Flip It. You get some pretty good lighting from an off-camera single light source as well.

Thanks - I do intend to experiment more outdoors - on the brightest, sunniest day!
I just find, my fill flash still leaves shadows under the eyes (or blows the dress) and that peeves me.

Or maybe I am just getting too particular? Nobody else has a problem with it - except me.

I always said when I started to relax and become over-confident in my photography it would be time to give it up! lol maybe the critic in me is too harsh?

[tim]

I was having trouble with wireless ETTL on the beach at sunset at my last wedding, it just wouldn't trigger reliably. I'd left the radio slaves at the reception, plus I didn't have my regular assistant, so I just bounced the on-camera flash off the outside of the white umbrella. It worked well! Photos on my blog.

[cdifoto]

If your flash is too bright, turn it down.

[_Jo_]

If your flash is too bright, turn it down.

Great idea - why didn't I think of that?! lol...

[_Jo_]

I was having trouble with wireless ETTL on the beach at sunset at my last wedding, it just wouldn't trigger reliably. I'd left the radio slaves at the reception, plus I didn't have my regular assistant, so I just bounced the on-camera flash off the outside of the white umbrella. It worked well! Photos on my blog.

Great images. I really love the light at the beach. I find my creative side really comes out under pressure...strange that!

[tim]

Thanks. It was a great sunset, I had to add quite a bit of light to be able to see them, but not near as much as midday. At midday a 580EX didn't have enough power as fill, I'd have needed four of them or a studio strobe for what I wanted to do! In the end I just zoomed the flash in and it worked ok.

[lil_miss]

Have you got it set to High Speed Sync? Makes a huge difference on bright sunny days :) without it I find things overexpose majorly. I find myself altering the power a lot more now though too.. up or down depending on what i'm shooting.

I used to use a stofen diffuser as well but found it to be more of a hinderance really

[jgoodstein]

how bout a nice gel to tone it down a bit?

[bobbyz]

Shooting during day with full sun, any diffuser will eat power from your hot shoe flash so try to balance bare flash with the ambient.

Post some example shots.

[OdiN1701]

Yeah dial it down some if it's too harsh. You should be able to do some smoothing and digital fill in post if needed. I don't like using a diffuser outdoors in bright light. I just use the bare flash, usually dialed down anywhere from -1 to -2 FEC to balance the flash with ambient. If the flash fill looks harsh, there's too much of it. Canon's tend to be too harsh at 0 FEC.

[_Jo_]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will dial it down - and I have decided against any diffuser. I will use as much available light as possible (at the beach) as I would much prefer natural over the flash and bounce, bounce, bounce. I have got some ideas off here to try Saturday - so will let you know how I go! Cheers.

[Vermin87]

If it's in the sunlight, you might be better off using a reflector of some sort rather than fill flash. If you have an assistant, then it's easier. You can visually see how you are filling the light before you even take the shot, and most of those light modifiers can be bent or twisted to create the type of fill you want.

[_Jo_]

If it's in the sunlight, you might be better off using a reflector of some sort rather than fill flash. If you have an assistant, then it's easier. You can visually see how you are filling the light before you even take the shot, and most of those light modifiers can be bent or twisted to create the type of fill you want.

Yes, I will be using a silver umbrella for reflection.

[Vermin87]

Hmm, I mean getting a reflector where you don't even use flash.

Check this one out:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358606-REG/Impact_R1122_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc_.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358606-REG/Impact_R1122_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc_.html)

Something like that is much easier to use than an umbrella and flash.

[_Jo_]

Hmm, I mean getting a reflector where you don't even use flash.

Check this one out:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358606-REG/Impact_R1122_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc_.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358606-REG/Impact_R1122_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc_.html)

Something like that is much easier to use than an umbrella and flash.

I have a car sunscreen (round in shape with silver lining) that does the same job, same effect, I will try that!). Thanks.