Wasting light and battery power

My city finally got an NHL team back. I went to the NHL draft party at the arena just to see them announce the new/old teams name. They also raffled off a set of season tickets which I did not win

There were a few photographers walking around at ice level taking shots of the crowds. One had the flash pointed strait up with the flashes bounce card pulled up. The rafters were only about 100 feet high. I could not figure out why someone would do that.

Hmmmm... You wouldn't happen to be in Winnipeg would you?

Well yes and thanks for asking. Very exciting times.

the light that reflects off the bounce card is enough for a small amount of fill, without being too harsh.

Either (a) they got caught up in the moment and forgot their flash was pointing straight up, (b) they were triggering some remote ettl flashes or (c) they have no idea how to use an on board flash.

There was no (b) scenario so I'm pretty sure it was (c). I was just amazed by that.

Congrats on getting the team back. Now that I moved to Connecticut, I'd like to see the Whalers back as well.

Even more interesting when those types shoot a portrait in a full room!

JMartel wrote in post #12655359
Congrats on getting the team back. Now that I moved to Connecticut, I'd like to see the Whalers back as well.

Yes I remember them from the WHA days. Gordie Howe and then sons in the NHL.

ceazeone wrote in post #12655238
the light that reflects off the bounce card is enough for a small amount of fill, without being too harsh.

How can you have fill if the main light is not doing anything? I would have just shot direct. That card is not big enough to do anything on it's own.

digital paradise wrote in post #12655527
How can you have fill if the main light is not doing anything? I would have just shot direct. That card is not big enough to do anything on it's own.

Exactly, the fill card is probably smaller than the size of the flash head in the first place. While it is throwing some light forward, it is seriously wasting power and blasting annoying bright light for no reason.

Uh oh, another one of these threads

windpig wrote in post #12655992
Uh oh, another one of these threads

Sorry

tenoverthenose wrote in post #12655871
Exactly, the fill card is probably smaller than the size of the flash head in the first place. While it is throwing some light forward, it is seriously wasting power and blasting annoying bright light for no reason.

In this particular situation, you're probably correct, but I have done that from time to time when the lowest power setting on my flash wasn't low enough for a close shot, when I needed just a little fill. So I aimed it up and pulled out the bounce card to get just a little light from the flash, intentionally wasting the rest.

I will use my Joe Demb...

I will use my Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro when there is nothing off which to bounce or if the ceiling is too high and/or too dark to bounce off.

www.dembflashproducts.​com

The Flash Diffuser Pro consists of two parts, the diffuser in front and the FlipIt reflector which is adjustable in angle and will provide better (not great but better) lighting than straight on direct flash.

These shots were done in a Chinese outdoor market with no ceiling off which to bounce...

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