Any pros wanna offer tips on using the 430ex flash?

[giuliasmith]

I have had this flash for over a year, and love it. Here's my issue.

I'm shooting a wedding processional with the 430ex in a dark, wood paneled, high ceiling barn (bouncing is not an option). I HATE direct flash and harsh shadows. Any tips?

Also, looking into getting a modifier for this wedding. Any recommendations?

[giuliasmith]

Sorry, let me add that I will be shooting with the 24-70 2.8/L in manual mode.

[apersson850]

If you have no time and/or other resources available, you can always resort to the disposable plate reflector taped/rubber banded to the flash. Quick and dirty, but works.

[gonzogolf]

Your best bet is probably a bounce card of some sort or perhaps the Demb flipit. Wescott and lumiquest make small softboxes which help, but you're still pretty close to direct flash look because you are only increasing the apparent size of the lightsouce by a couple of multiples. This is one of those cases where you cant beat physics.

[HybridUK]

Maybe have an assistant or friend hold up a white reflector to the side of your camera to bounce the flash off?

[giuliasmith]

Thank you guys for the ideas! I'm gonna take some bounce cards and reflectors with me when I scout it out next week and play around to see what works best!

[GDHugh]

I wish I could have had a perfect solution last weekend under similar conditions. A large gym. very high ceiling. I bought a 580ex-II just for the occasion and it seemed the light just disappered into the big room. White clothing was blown while dark faces and hair just disappeared. This makes for a lot of photoshop work. Still, I can't photoshop the shadows away. I'm not that talented with it. I tryed a defuser and the light was only good really close up. More then a few feet and it was just gone.
Here's for learning the hard way. :-( Good luck!