Why do the pro's do that on TV

We have always heard that an Omni Bounce is meant for bouncing off white walls and ceilings at fairly close distances. We have also heard that you shouldn’t use it straight on and it is of very little use outdoors right? Then why is it that EVERY time I see a group of photographers on TV at some Hollywood event or news scene 30% to 50% of the SLR's are set up that way and flashing away? Either I am mistaken in best use of these diffusers or pro photographers aren’t as up on the technology as they should be. Do they know something we don’t? I know some of them might not be real pro's but judging by where they are, there accessibility to these scenes, and the 1 series cameras they usually have they are not all armatures, what gives?

Nobody ever said that they had to be smart to buy one of those things....

A professional photographer is merely a person who makes a living doing photography. That does not mean that he/she is especially talented or knowledgeable about all aspects of the field - particularly regarding all the hardware that keeps coming onto the market. Pros are as likely to be gullible to marketing efforts as the rest of us are.

This is from the instuction paper packaged with the omnibounce
"1.There are no adjustments other than the manufacturers indicated maximum distance being reduced by a factor of 2.5.The automation of your camera and the pre-flash will determine that you have proper exposure.

2.Never use the Omni in the straight ahead position,except in TTL Mode.For optimum results tilt head up slightly at about 45 degrees."

These units are designed to simulate a bare bulb.Meaning that the light is diffused and spread over a wide span without needing a reflecting object such as a wall or ceiling.If you use direct flash with a wide lens you have a hot spot.I think thats why the press use these things.I have used mine bouncing off of the ceiling with good results.If you use the flash(without the Omni) off of the ceiling only you can get some harsh shadows under noses,hats and bangs.With the Omni you get the diffused light plus the bounced light off of the ceiling.

ibkev wrote in post #2461239
This is from the instuction paper packaged with the omnibounce
"1.There are no adjustments other than the manufacturers indicated maximum distance being reduced by a factor of 2.5.The automation of your camera and the pre-flash will determine that you have proper exposure.

2.Never use the Omni in the straight ahead position,except in TTL Mode.For optimum results tilt head up slightly at about 45 degrees."

These units are designed to simulate a bare bulb.Meaning that the light is diffused and spread over a wide span without needing a reflecting object such as a wall or ceiling.If you use direct flash with a wide lens you have a hot spot.I think thats why the press use these things.I have used mine bouncing off of the ceiling with good results.If you use the flash(without the Omni) off of the ceiling only you can get some harsh shadows under noses,hats and bangs.With the Omni you get the diffused light plus the bounced light off of the ceiling.

I'm not positive what you are saying here, is there actually a good reason they do that or am I misinterpreting your words? It does seem a little hard for me to believe all these folks are so wrong. I keep thinking maybe they know a little something I don’t about it.

I thought it was because photographers are like any other group.If one has one the others want one. Kinda like 'hey he's got a gadget sitting on his flash, wonder what he knows that I don't, better go and get one of those'

If all humans were immune to marketing and advertising we would cut our clutter in half.

Coder33404 wrote in post #2460762
We have always heard that an Omni Bounce is meant for bouncing off white walls and ceilings at fairly close distances. We have also heard that you shouldn’t use it straight on and it is of very little use outdoors right? Then why is it that EVERY time I see a group of photographers on TV at some Hollywood event or news scene 30% to 50% of the SLR's are set up that way and flashing away? Either I am mistaken in best use of these diffusers or pro photographers aren’t as up on the technology as they should be. Do they know something we don’t? I know some of them might not be real pro's but judging by where they are, there accessibility to these scenes, and the 1 series cameras they usually have they are not all armatures, what gives?

Yes, many many years ago (when film was the only thing available at any price) I saw someone carrying a bag of gear with a 'pro' card hanging off it. They didn't know what a skylight filter was for. And there are pros today who don't have a clue about histograms. 'Pro' certainly does not mean 'technically knowledgeable' or 'technically proficient' or 'up to date' in their craft; it means they earn money doing it! There are some great artists who could not fight their way out of a paper bag of technical understanding, but that does not decrease the artistry of their work.

Coder33404 wrote in post #2462357
I'm not positive what you are saying here, is there actually a good reason they do that or am I misinterpreting your words? It does seem a little hard for me to believe all these folks are so wrong. I keep thinking maybe they know a little something I don’t about it.

Yes, there is actually a good reason. Try it and you'll see. Putting the flash up at 45 degrees using an omni bounce will give you a much better looking image than firing it straight on...even when there is no ceiling to bounce it off.

Meowww, cat fight.

Notice it says "Except in TTL mode." That means it's OK to use it straight on.

They don't do it for the bounced light, they do it to diffuse the light making the subject more evenly lit with less harsh shadows.

themirage wrote in post #2463039
They don't do it for the bounced light, they do it to diffuse the light making the subject more evenly lit with less harsh shadows.

So, it does actually work for our TTL flash units straight on and outside?

redbutt wrote in post #2462978
Yes, there is actually a good reason. Try it and you'll see. Putting the flash up at 45 degrees using an omni bounce will give you a much better looking image than firing it straight on...even when there is no ceiling to bounce it off.

This assumes, of course, that you are close enough to the subject so that all the "wasted" light ("diffused" light that never goes toward the subject when you are away from reflective surfaces) is not needed.

No one knows what f/stop, shutter speed and ISO are set on those cameras, that these "pros" are using when they shoot! If the pictures that you refer to are at some "hollywood event," then seriously, there's enough ambient/video lighting around to surround the event! (Red carpet evetns??)

With all the hot lights and tv cameras present, the pros are getting quite good pictures with those on flash diffusers. Since they are using digital, you can best be assured that they took a few test shots, of someone walking on that runway, before the "stars" appeared.

Just to clear up a little confusion-
The instructions that come with the Omni-Bounce recommend 45 degrees up, partly because if it's aimed straight forward, it would throw some light into the sensor of an automatic flash unit, leading to a faulty exposure. This is not an issue with TTL flash (or E-TTL) as long as the Sto-Fen doesn't extend further forward than the lens hood.

The instructions for the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce make no mention of outdoor use.

And I will write this for the umpteenth time: If you think The Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce helps make better outdoor pictures, post side-by-side comparison shots to prove it.