mounting flash to large column

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16666954
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.

It's on the right edge of the frame in the image in the first post. Too thick for regular clamps to work. Might be able to clamp on one of the scrollwork trim bits, but that would be precarious - also, those might be hollow plaster or paper mache, not sturdy stone.

nathancarter wrote in post #16667768
It's on the right edge of the frame in the image in the first post. Too thick for regular clamps to work. Might be able to clamp on one of the scrollwork trim bits, but that would be precarious - also, those might be hollow plaster or paper mache, not sturdy stone.

yeah, that would be pretty precarious and I have to imagine they are as faux as you get. there might be a steel support column deep under there but what I can mount to is definitely a hollow plasterish shell.

jcolman wrote in post #16666802
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.

yeah, you are probably right, i'm probably overly concerned about appearance when I really shouldn't be. thanks!

picturecrazy wrote in post #16667130
Hammer and nails.

haha, I've come close to that as the ultimate solution on where to hang the dress!

Justin Clamp to the metal part of the drop ceiling.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16668624
Justin Clamp to the metal part of the drop ceiling.

have you tried that before? seems like it might work, but I've never actually tried it.

bigarchi wrote in post #16668776
have you tried that before? seems like it might work, but I've never actually tried it.

I have and it works fine. Just make sure you get venue permission first. And make sure your flash is very secure on the hotshoe.

sweet, I may give that a go sometime. or even at this gig.

I agree with whomever previously said a backup cable is always a good idea too.
I had a flash crash down from a hay loft (a good 10+ feet) in a barn wedding once. about 2 minutes before they all entered, scared the crap out of the people in there already, luckily didn't hurt anyone and miraculously it didn't break. well, the radio popper attached to it didn't do so well, but the flash is still fine, I use it all the time. I honestly think a bird flew by it (or hit it) and knocked it down, because it wasn't precariously perched up there at all. crazy things do happen though, backup cables are always a good idea.

Assistants are versatile.

With a ceiling that low, why not bounce? Keeper rate will be a lot higher I would think. If you are insistent on having some cross light, I would look for something a little more secure than clamping it too the drop ceiling. Some drunk idiot is bound to swat at it sometime during the night.

My concern would be attaching it without causing any damage to the pillar.

Trent Gillespie wrote in post #16676359
With a ceiling that low, why not bounce? Keeper rate will be a lot higher I would think.

I usually do bounce on-camera flash with one body and a standard lens, then use ocf with another body and either a telephoto or a wide angle. I like variety
yeah the keeper rate is much higher keeping it simple with just bouncing off of low ceilings like this, and it works good for standard stuff but it's not all that interesting to me anyway. my keeper rate with ocf is still pretty high too when everything fires like it should.

Phil V wrote in post #16678259
My concern would be attaching it without causing any damage to the pillar.

yeah, I don't want to ever cause any damage to any venue's stuff, that's for sure. I like to keep good relationships with them all if I can