mounting flash to large column

Hey guys, how do my fellow OCF photographer friends here all mount a flash (and preferably a battery back) at or even better to larger reception columns?

I have a venue that i'm back at this summer where i'm able to get one light stand up near the dj easy enough. and last time I shot there I ended up putting both of my stands at either end of his "stuff" but it was less than ideal for me. I prefer to cross light when I can, and really like to use 3 lights sometimes too. anyway I couldn't find a spot on the other side of the dance floor at all, between the amount of tables/chairs and the arrangement there just wasn't another spot.

i'll often mount a flash or two on a super clamp here or there, but the only spot I can think to mount one here is on one of the columns that is adjacent to the dancefloor and a super clamp won't do that! i'd say these are like 12-18" diameter columns

i'm half thinking of just bringing some long bungee cords to wrap around the column as I've done that before in a pinch too, but this is a nice enough venue that I don't want to kill the mood with a bungee cord job if I don't have to

any other ideas? here's a wide angle view of what I did last time, and you can see one of the columns on the right that i'm thinking about using. i'm standing at the other one. you can see that I had to use more on camera flash than I would have preferred.

I should add that I don't want to just put a stand at one of the columns because the legs would certainly be in the way here. if lightstand could work without legs sticking out, our lives would be so much easier!

Without seeing the column, is it possible to use some of those 3M easy remove pads with some velcro super glued to them? I've done this for other things never tried with a flash though.

Take the removable pull tab 3M adhesive stuff and use that to attach a piece of velcro?

I've also used Nite Ize or something close which are "cord management" but they come in 18 to 24" lengths with a filament in them, they have molded end caps and come in black... check amazon for them.. Gear Ties or some thing like that.

While this has nothing to do with weddings, I've been contemplating a similar issue to get a flash up on a tree for hare scrambles races. What I've been contemplating is mounting a pair of straps to a baby wall plate.

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com …-3&keywords=lashing+str​ap

...mounted to one of these:
http://www.amazon.com …&keywords=baby+​wall+plate

....then you can use the appropriate pin to mount a speedlight, or switch to a baby pin and mount a strobe. Granted it's still just a thought right now, I haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

great ideas! thanks guys.

I might rig up something like that wall plate/ lashing strap, that could come in really handy.

You could maybe also get some white chiffon and create some kind of bow to hide the bungee cord? Or fake plants/flowers?

Or use something like strong fishing line, a wire or guitar string, something strong but thin enough so it won't really show much, if at all?

phantelope wrote in post #16665724
You could maybe also get some white chiffon and create some kind of bow to hide the bungee cord? Or fake plants/flowers?

Or use something like strong fishing line, a wire or guitar string, something strong but thin enough so it won't really show much, if at all?

There you go!

And to think I was going to recommend gaffer's tape.

Fishing line alone might allow the flash to slip down the column. It'll hold it TO the column, but might not hold it up.

Alternate idea: Light stand with the legs folded in (effectively a monopod) to support the weight of the flash and maintain height, and a lashing of fishing line to hold it against the column.

nathancarter wrote in post #16665773
Fishing line alone might allow the flash to slip down the column. It'll hold it TO the column, but might not hold it up.

Alternate idea: Light stand with the legs folded in (effectively a monopod) to support the weight of the flash and maintain height, and a lashing of fishing line to hold it against the column.

yeah, I've done this before with bungee cords with success. this may be the way to go here.

I like the fishing/guitar string ideas, definitely less conspicuous than bungees lol!

bungee cords and long velcro strips have done the trick many times

One other thing I just thought of, you can get a bracket to hang a flash from a drop ceiling.

http://www.amazon.com …ords=avenger+dr​op+ceiling

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16665966
One other thing I just thought of, you can get a bracket to hang a flash from a drop ceiling.

http://www.amazon.com …ords=avenger+dr​op+ceiling

oh that right there is a reception lighting game changer, I like it!
especially if i'm going direct anyway. not so much if I wanted to bounce of said ceiling, but certainly an awesome option. Thanks!

bigarchi wrote in post #16666024
oh that right there is a reception lighting game changer, I like it!
especially if i'm going direct anyway. not so much if I wanted to bounce of said ceiling, but certainly an awesome option. Thanks!

I've used these for years when I was in the video production biz. One word of caution, always use a safety line or chain wrapped around your light if possible. While these are great clamps, accidents do happen.

But to answer your question, I would simply use light stands and bungee cords. People are not likely to complain about the "appearance" of your setup.

I just Justin Clamps and Super Clamps regularly. I'd have to see the specific column to give you a specific answer. Gorilla Pod could work if you knew people wouldn't mess with it.

Hammer and nails.