If I had to pick one accessory.....

Hello There,

I just got my first speedlight a couple of weeks ago--a Yongnuo 468 ETTL II and I am completely new to the concept of flash photography. However, I've been reading a TON about it and have practicing here and there when I have the time. In 3 weeks I have my first ever paid gig (zoinks!) and I am pretty excited about it. A guy is graduating med school and I am shooting him and his wife for a couple of hours in a park during the afternoon, and then at their nighttime party inside a private room in a nice hotel (think small bar/lounge kind of thing). I might end up taking some shots of them at night, standing outside of the hotel on the city sidewalk. I've spent the last few hours reading about light modifiers such as the Lumiquests, Demb and other such strap-on diffusers/bounce card thingies. What would one essential accessory be in your opinion to improve the experience? Here is a breakdown of some various factors:

-Camera is a T2i/550D
-50mm 1.4 lens
-28-135mm 4-5.6 lens
-Flash will always be mounted to the hot shoe; no remotes, cables etc.
-I shoot RAW
-I will be using ETTL
-Daytime in the park I guess I will just be using fill light, which from my research I don't believe I would need any form of diffuser or anything
-At nighttime, I will be inside/outside, ceilings/no ceilings

So what would you slap on the flash (if even anything) in this scenario?
And.... is the 28-135mm not going to work well for this? There will be single person shots as well as some small group stuff.

Thanks,
Randy

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …-101-traveling-light.html

Too bad you're determined to keep the flash on the camera's shoe. Heck, if you got some simple Yongnuo triggers, you could at the very least hold the flash to the side, off the camera which would help the images. But if not that, then:

maverick75 wrote in post #15999013
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …-101-traveling-light.html

Thank you for the link. However none of that applies to me because I will not be doing any off-camera flash as I mentioned, and I'm only looking for an attachment to the flash.

Kevan wrote in post #15999204
Too bad you're determined to keep the flash on the camera's shoe. Heck, if you got some simple Yongnuo triggers, you could at the very least hold the flash to the side, off the camera which would help the images. But if not that, then:

Is this for direct flash right at the subject?

RandMan wrote in post #15999332
Is this for direct flash right at the subject?

You can use that modifier however you want. Its only purpose is to make the light source marginally larger in an attempt to soften the light.

For the small group shots you will likely be standing further away. And since you insist on keeping the flash on camera, the light source (your speedlite) becomes relatively smaller than it already is.

Anyone have thoughts on the 28-135mm; can it hang? Or are the slower apertures going to kill that dream?

It'll be fine. No use in getting worked up (not that you are) about it not being able to "hang." Otherwise, you'll go into the shoot with the excuse that your lens isn't good enough.

I suggest the "one accessory" you bring is spare batteries. If batteries don't count, then a bounce card from some foam from the craft store or an index card attached with a rubber band.

v35skyline wrote in post #15999967
It'll be fine. No use in getting worked up (not that you are) about it not being able to "hang." Otherwise, you'll go into the shoot with the excuse that your lens isn't good enough.

I suggest the "one accessory" you bring is spare batteries. If batteries don't count, then a bounce card from some foam from the craft store or an index card attached with a rubber band.

The flash has a built-in bounce card; will that work? And three questions regarding a bounce card:

1) If you're using it inside, is the flash aimed straight up at the ceiling, or at an angle towards the ceiling above your focus? Can you use them outside?

2) How do you use it when shooting in vertical/portrait orientation?

3) Are they unusable if the flash is aimed at an angle in relation to the subject? Like if I was bouncing the flash off a side wall?

I feel like I'm learning photography all over again! Flash is a separate art form in itself.

The built in bounce card is awfully small. Look at the Demb Flip It or whatever and the Rogue Flashbender. I have the latter and it works well. But you can always make your own for a couple bucks and a trip to the craft store.

I have it aimed around 75 degrees usually, but that depends on where the subject is.

Use a flash bracket.

I am not a wall bouncer but don't see why you wouldn't be able to. The primary purpose of a bounce card to me is throw some light on the eyes.