21st Shoot

Hey Guys,

I am shooting a 21st on the weekend and was hoping to get a few pointers on how to get the best out of my gear.

I have a 430EXII and an ETTL cord.

THe party is being held at a house in the backyard which will be dimly lit. I currently do not own any flash modifiers - in saying that, would it be more beneficial to keep my flash on the hot-shoe as opposed to shooting it off camera?

Any tips would be great as I have left it on the camera before with varying results and I don't really have a chance to test it before I shoot.

Cheers,

Chris.

How about flash in left hand, camera in right? Just set it to a suitable setting in manual that lets in enough light to show some background, then TTL flash set to second-curtain.

Your best bet, in this situation, without a modifier and/or a stand, etc, would be to get a cheap flash bracket. It'll allow you to use the flash while keeping it off axis and preventing red-eye. Not an optimal situation, neither are hand cramps.. And besides, you need a free hand to hold a drink, no?

jackerin wrote in post #12227930
How about flash in left hand, camera in right? Just set it to a suitable setting in manual that lets in enough light to show some background, then TTL flash set to second-curtain.

Did almost the same but synced with first curtain, however next time around will use the second curtain as learned from first hand experience.

Link to the shoot

I'd put the flash on the hot shoe and make one of these for it - http://www.abetterboun​cecard.com …bounce-card-the-original/

If you mount that card on the short side of the flash (with the head appropriately turned) moving from landscape to portrait is really easy.

Hi guys,

thanks for all the responses! I shot with the camera on the hot shoe - I did try it off the hotshoe but found the aiming to be inconsistent. There was a large white marquee so I generally bounced most of the shots.

I have to say though the ETTL was a bit all over the shop unfortunately.

Thanks for the tips - the link to the better bounce card is great! Cheers Dave!!