Flash brackets

[tim]

One question: why use flash brackets on your camera?

[robertwgross]

Why use a flash bracket?

You want to move the external flash unit several inches away from the axis of the lens, and you want to move it in the direction of being directly above the lens, despite whether you are shooting horizontally or vertically. You really can't do that without a flash bracket.

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

Is there much advantage getting the flash even higher than the 550EX type flashes stand? It's already like 6 inches from the lens. Or is it more for when you shoot with the camera sideways?

[jbradc]

The higher the flash the less noticeable the shadows behind your subject will be. Every Wedding I shoot I use the 550EX on a Stroboframe Pro-T Bracket. It gets the flash head about 12-16 inches above the camera and flips so the flash stays centered over the lens when shooting vertical.

[Huckaback Photo]

Hello Jbradc
Curious to see what this flash bracket looks like , sounds a good bit of kit
I use both 550ex and 580ex flash units and so far have never found a bracket to equal my Metz 45 series flash , been considering the new grip canon announced with the arrival of the new 580ex.not found the actual bracket in a shop here as yet also price here is £125 approx.
any info please would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Martin (huckaback photo)

[jbradc]

Originally Posted by Huckaback Photo

Hello Jbradc
Curious to see what this flash bracket looks like , sounds a good bit of kit

Here you go...
http://www.tiffen.com/Stroboframe_ProT_page.htm

[Huckaback Photo]

Really appreciate the speed of your reply.
had only a quick look at there info but will study properly later .
What can i say, you are a star.
Many thanks
Martin
P.s. just checked your gallery some real nice wedding shots you have there well done.

[jbradc]

Glad to help, and thanks for your kind words. It is always good to hear complements from fellow photographers.

[robertwgross]

I think there are few self-respecting wedding photographers that would go to shoot a wedding without a flash and flash bracket.

---Bob Gross---

[jbradc]

Originally Posted by robertwgross

I think there are few self-respecting wedding photographers that would go to shoot a wedding without a flash and flash bracket.

---Bob Gross---

Agreed

[Mike Panic]

i shoot w/ the press-t bracket.. its a lil more compact then the pro-t but worth every penny

[nosquare2003]

Originally Posted by robertwgross

Why use a flash bracket?

You want to move the external flash unit several inches away from the axis of the lens, and you want to move it in the direction of being directly above the lens, despite whether you are shooting horizontally or vertically. You really can't do that without a flash bracket.

---Bob Gross---

Or set the camera on a tripod. Use your hand to pick up the flash. It's just an option...though a flash bracket is convenient.

[Akreager]

I think it is best when possible to use a fast lens and available light....that said flash is often neccessary. I agree with some of what was said above and disagree with other parts. My two cents is as follows:

High eliminates some shadows behind your subject, eliminates redeye, and adds some dimension to the face. For me center of my flash mounted softbox (see below) is about a foot or so above the lens axis.

I like to get the flash high per above and off center (not straight above the lens) by about six to eight inches (off center adds a little more dimension to the face and allows you to use a very simple L shaped bracket ($30). It still works when you go verticle. It is now 12 inches off center and 6 inches above lens axis. The only trick is getting use to rotating clockwise instead of the usual counter clockwise.

Off center does not hide the shadow behind as well as on axis flash so I soften it by using a dome clipped on the front of the flash AND either a Westcott 5X8 folding Micro Appolo soft box ($35)or a 12X16 folding soft box from Photoflex ($100 with the hardware). Besides softening the shadows behind the subject it also softens the shadows on the subjects face and makes them look much better.

I use the 12X16 PF as often as possible, but it sometimes intimidates or attracts attention so I often set it up (5-10 min), stage it, start with the Westcott (less than one min), and use it after the ice is broken.

May sound like some effort but the results can not be beat. I got my first 3 wedding jobs because I used this set up for candids throughout the weekend at my brother in law's wedding. I was not the actuall Photographer, but the bride liked my stuff much better than his and reccomended me to her freinds. They obviously did too since they hired me.

If you get the right type of bracket you can take the camera off real quick and stick the bracket onto a light stand (less than one min), put the camera on a tripod real quick (less than one min), pull another flash out of your pocket and wala...a two flash system. have someone hold a white reflector for fill and put the second flash high on a second stand and use as a hair light. Unfold an 8x16 collapsable Muslin backdrop and lean it against the wall and you have a set up that comes close (no it does not equal) to a studio portrait set up. I have gotten good at this and can do the set up in less than five minutes while I am talking to people. all the stuff folds and stores in the a camera bage and one small light stand bag (the background colapses to about a 3 foot flat circle). With Nikon and Canon you can use the camera to meter and set the flash exposure using their i-ttl wireless capabilites (each has their advantages and disadvantages but both oare great). It really is amazing how well it works after the learning curve is over.

For Canon

$1000 for two 580EX and a wirless controler ST-2
100 for two light stands
135 for the Photoflex and Westcot softboxes
140 for the collapsable background
50 for two swivle mount light stand to hot shoe adaptors
30 L flash bracket........................................... ......$1450 for an amazing portable system. You can even add gels for effect or to balance abient light color temperature if ambient light is strong flourecent or tungsten. just tape them over the flash head and set the right white balance.

Maybe more information than some want but it took me a long time to get to this point and I wanted to share. If anyone wants more info they can e-mail me at andy.kreager@equistar.com
Andy K

[robertwgross]

Originally Posted by nosquare2003

Or set the camera on a tripod. Use your hand to pick up the flash. It's just an option...though a flash bracket is convenient.

This is an excellent solution, as long as you have three hands.

I generally have one hand around the shutter button and dial. Then one hand goes at the zoom barrel. I don't have any hands left for holding a flash unit.

The other thing is that a flash bracket holds the flash unit at a repeatable distance from your lens axis. For several dozen wedding shots, that is important to have the shadows looking the same from one to another.

---Bob Gross---

[Akreager]

To each their own. It works for me. I do not do this for every routine shot, but the feedback I get on the ones I do use it for is great. I would challenge you to even come close to this technique with just a flash bracket when you have a dificult shot of bride and groom on the bridge or in the Gazeebo - the one that is going to be blown up and hung on wall for decades. Or maybe you are one of those volume discount shooters that is just looking for quick workflow and to make a big buck. for me it quality first and I always have an assistant with me so I do have four hands, but hey....I have a day job to pay the bills. I only earn 20% of my bucks from pics.