Are flash brackets needed?

[MGphotography]

I apologize if this question has already been answered. I just don't have the time to keep searching for the answer. I have been asked to photograph my friends wedding in a few weeks. I have a canon 40D with the 580EXII Flash. I was thinking about purchasing a Flash Bracket. But the more I have read the more it seems that the pro's stop using them. Are they worth the money? and if so which one should I get? One last question, I also want to get an all in on one collapsible reflector. How big should I go? I should probably add that this is my first ever wedding, so needless to say I am getting more nervous the closer it gets. any advise on additional equipment or how to knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully,

[form]

Some use them, others don't. I don't use one because I never felt it was a justifiable cost and I am tight on finances. There are many good photographers who do, including at least a few on fredmiranda forums (sam hassas, tony hoffer). I don't think I'm mentally on a level to appreciate their value.

[JackLiu]

I have shot weddings for friends. It was with the flash in the shoe and in bounce setup. If the situation demanded direct flash then there was a Stofen omni-bounce on the flash unit. However, if you shoot direct flash you have to watch where the shadow falls and it should fall behind the person(s). This is where a flash bracket may come in handy such as http://www.adorama.com/FABQF.html?searchinfo=flash+bracket or similar plus a flash cord such as http://www.adorama.com/FAOCSCCAN.html?searchinfo=canon+flash+cord or similar. Remember that direct flash is often harsh and requires some sort of diffusion. That is where a Stofen omni bounce comes in.

[cdifoto]

Needed? No. Helpful? Yes. The best brackets don't get in the way; the worst brackets make you wonder why you bought them. Don't get a reflector for wedding work. You won't have time to use it if you don't have an assistant, and if you've never used one before it'll screw you up.

[Big Mike]

The main advantage of a bracket is that it can hold the flash directly above the lens while in portrait orientation (as well as landscape orientation)...and since most people are taller than they are wide, you are likely to be shooting in portrait quite often.

Keeping the flash directly above the lens, keeps the shadows down and directly behind the subject, which is better than off to the side because that can create terrible looking side shadows if there is something behind the subjects (wall etc). Assuming, of course, that you are shooting the flash directly at the subjects.

Personally, I think that if you can bounce the flash (off of a wall or the ceiling) you are much better off than shooting directly, so side shadows are much less of an issue...and in that case, the bracket becomes less useful and may not be worth the effort.

I used a bracket for a couple seasons, but I don't use it much anymore...it just got to be too big of a unit for a fast paced wedding. I didn't want to take the equipment apart...so I had camera, flash, bracket and cord all assembled and fit into a camera bag (taking up almost the entire bag)...it was just too much. I now use a a deflector that does what I need it to do, and folds away quickly for easy stowing and transport.

[MGphotography]

Needed? No. Helpful? Yes. The best brackets don't get in the way; the worst brackets make you wonder why you bought them. Don't get a reflector for wedding work. You won't have time to use it if you don't have an assistant, and if you've never used one before it'll screw you up.

If i will be doing portraits of the bride and groom and their family members as well, wouldnt a reflector be something that i might want?

From what I am getting so far....at a minimum I should get a Stofen omni bounce or something similar.... is that right?

Thanks everyone for all the great advice that i am getting so far.

[MGphotography]

If I decieded to get one, would these brackets be any good?

http://www.adorama.com/FABTTLTEOS3.html
http://www.adorama.com/FABTTLEOS3.html

And if so which one would be the better of the two? Sorry about all the questions, I just dont want to mess this wedding up.

[Big Mike]

If i will be doing portraits of the bride and groom and their family members as well, wouldnt a reflector be something that i might want?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no...but you will need someone to hold the reflector for you.

From what I am getting so far....at a minimum I should get a Stofen omni bounce or something similar.... is that right?
Flash accessories like the Omni-bounce and the Fong Lightsphere can be very useful in the right situation...but they can also be completely useless and wasteful in other situations...I see plenty of photographers using them in situations where they are only detrimental...it's sort of sad.
The key is knowing when to use the right accessory and knowing when to not use it. So don't think that just getting an Omni-bounce and sticking it on your flash will automatically improve your photos.

My suggestion is to do what you know. Don't try to buy too much new equipment because you think it maybe might help you. Stick with your strengths and use your instincts. You must be doing something right if they asked you in the first place.

[cdifoto]

If i will be doing portraits of the bride and groom and their family members as well, wouldnt a reflector be something that i might want?

In an ideal situation you have studio strobes, reflectors, gobos, etc to produce the absolute best quality portraits. So yeah, a reflector would be GREAT - if you have lots of time, an assistant to hold the reflector, and the knowledge/experience to tell them how to hold it. I don't know how weddings are in your area, but in mine there are only about 20 minutes allotted for formals and there are always a lot of groups. If I'm lucky I get another 30 with the couple but it's usually more like 10 - and we definitely don't spend the entire time in the same spot.

From what I am getting so far....at a minimum I should get a Stofen omni bounce or something similar.... is that right?

Thanks everyone for all the great advice that i am getting so far.
I had a genuine Sto-fen and never used it. I gave it away with a Speedlite when I sold it. For some odd reason I bought a generic Sto-fen more recently and I never use it either. I generally find the results to be inadequate - mostly because it casts unnatural shadows when used properly (ie as designed) and doesn't do anything but weaken the flash when used improperly.

[tim]

I have a flash bracket, but I haven't used it in two years. They're annoying things to use, and I have alternate solutions to the problems flash brackets solve.

[Patrick]

It's a tool and just like any other tool there are times when it's useful and times when it's just not right for the job.

If you buy one, get a good one. Custom Brackets Pro-M is what I went with.
Yes, it's expensive but I find it's worth the money.

I'd rather have it in the bag collecting dust than need it and not have it.

[eelnoraa]

I have shot weddings for friends. It was with the flash in the shoe and in bounce setup. If the situation demanded direct flash then there was a Stofen omni-bounce on the flash unit. However, if you shoot direct flash you have to watch where the shadow falls and it should fall behind the person(s). This is where a flash bracket may come in handy such as http://www.adorama.com/FABQF.html?searchinfo=flash+bracket or similar plus a flash cord such as http://www.adorama.com/FAOCSCCAN.html?searchinfo=canon+flash+cord or similar. Remember that direct flash is often harsh and requires some sort of diffusion. That is where a Stofen omni bounce comes in.

Stofen only soften light up IF there are walls or celling near by. Stofen alone by itself does NOT soften light at all. The key to soft light is large light source. Stofen des not increase the flash head size in any useful amount. Once I realize this, I haven't touch the stofen for a long time.

[MT Stringer]

I bought a rotating flash bracket (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/326962-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100FR2_Di100FR2_Folding_F lash_Rotator.html) from Robert Newton. It folds flat and takes up very little room in my bag. It does take a few minutes to get it all set up, but it works great. Keeps the flash over the lens whether the camera is in landscape or portrait orientation.

Mike