To bounce or not to bouce... Softbox could be a soulution?

Hi! Last weekend i've done my first wedding, and i think that was Ok. I used a lot bouce flash, but on a dark portuguese church that was impossible... the solution was a direct flash, that produces dark shadows... what do you recomend? softbox, pocket boucer... other solution?

Thanks

I've done most of my direct flash shooting with medium format and film but the principles are similar - I've been very happy with the Lumiquest Pocket bounce in direct shots. The flash head is aimed straight up - a big Metz in my case - the the Lumiquest velcro's to it, but faces and directs the flash output forward.

Using ASA 400 film it's good out to around 12-15 feet like this, but based on experiences I've had with my 5D you should be able to get much greater range with ISO 800 and aperature at around f8.

Having the flash mounted on a flash bracket, top center above the lens will also direct most of the distracting shadow down and behind the subject. Hope this helps - Stu

Nuttcraker wrote:
Hi! Last weekend i've done my first wedding, and i think that was Ok. I used a lot bouce flash, but on a dark portuguese church that was impossible... the solution was a direct flash, that produces dark shadows... what do you recomend? softbox, pocket boucer... other solution?

Thanks

This is one of the "quirks" of the Lumiquest Pocket bouncer or Promax system. If you buy a "flash flip" type bracket, the flash is oriented sideways with the camera vertical. With the pocket bouncer this puts the light source off to the side somewhat.

Alternatives would be either a "camera flip" type bracket, which rotates the camera without moving the flash, or the Lumiquest Mini Softbox, which is used with the flash head facing the subject and should work with a flash flip type bracket.

Excellent point ... which is one of the things I enjoy about shooting medium format square - you never have to rotate the camera or bracket since the dimensions are identical .

Faced with this issue I purchased the Newton Camera Rotator bracket; I'm swivelling the camera, but leaving the flash in place. Both the Newton & Custom brackets offer solutions for flash photography. They are also extremely well built, durable but pricey compared to strobframe and others. I purchased the Newton because it was SIGNIFICANTLY lighter and smaller than the Custom. This is NOT to say though that there is anything wrong with the Custom. It's just a matter of taste, and others love them.

One of the advantages though of the Custom being larger than my Newton, is that it has more "space" if you want to hang other devices like Pocket Wizards or remotes. - Stu

Hi Nuttcraker,

I use a flash frame all the time, the StroboFrame (Camera Rotating). This will stop the side shadows. But to stop the harshness, I use an Omni-Bounce diffuser on my flash (580EX), which works a treat.

Good luck,

Nathan