2 newbie questions

hey everyone. this probably sounds stupid but i would love to know why professional photographers use a flash bracket and have the wire sticking out of it?

i think it further removes the shadow of the lens... but ill let someone more qualified to answer ur questioN

Fabian9931 wrote in post #5482488
hey everyone. this probably sounds stupid but i would love to know why professional photographers use a flash bracket and have the wire sticking out of it?

Less shadows. The wire connects the flash to the camera body.

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The shadow issue is only a part of the reason and probably not the most important one. After all, the on camera flash does pretty well with shadows. However, a flash bracket is the easiest way to reduce red-eye. The farther the flash is from the lens axis, the less likely you are to get red-eye. Keeping the flash high and directly over the lens will hide shadows behind the subject, at least to a point.

The wire, as previously stated, is what connects the flash to the camera and tells it when to go off and if it has E-TTL capability, communicates exposure information back and forth between the camera and flash.

thanks for the replies. my next question is. if your shooting vertically some people say its better for the flash to be on top instead of the side. this is only true if your shooting direct right? if i was bouncing it off the ceiling what does it matter? also why would it be better on top then on the side. thanks

Another handy function of flash brackets, is to allow you to rotate the camera to "Portrait", while keeping the flash upright and centered over the lens.

This particular flash bracket by "RPS Studio" also allows the photographer to trip the shutter with either hand as the bracket has a built in shutter release button and cable that you attach to the camera.

The purpose of a bracket to a wedding professional is that it...

1. Positions the flash directly over the axis of the lens, so that shadows 'fall down' behind the subjects, rather than being cast to one side
   
2. Moves the flash farther from the lens center, to reduce incidence of red eye
   
3. Permits the use of supplemental light modifiers, such as small softboxes, without interfering with the lens' view