Comments on: bounce flash & direction of light

By: Rob Lowry

Rob Lowry — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:01:49 +0000

In #1 the hot spot is on the the model’s right shoulder, and the light is wrapping a tiny bit around her. If I understand things correctly, this means the light is coming from her right, slightly above her, and not quite 90 degrees … so flash is pointed a tiny bit upwards, to camera left and about 10o’clock.?.?.?

For #2 the hotspot is behind the model’s left shoulder, but the lighting on her hands and face give a flat appearance … almost like there are 2 lights. This leads me to guess you fired your flash into a corner…camera right, about 2o’clock?.?.?

By: photomatte

photomatte — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:54:02 +0000

If you were indeed using the black foamie thing (BFT) for both images I would have to say:

Image #1: flash aimed over your left shoulder, maybe into the corner where the wall meets the ceiling. BFT prevented her face from being blown out and it also left the area behind her (over HER left shoulder) slightly dark.

Image #2: flash pointed slightly forward, angled to the right. BFT allowed the ambient light to do most of the work while the flash blew out your background and really lightened up her hair.

By: Mihai Blanaru

Mihai Blanaru — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:42:09 +0000

Hi Neil,

so, as I can see in the comments 27 and 28, we have a pretty clear setting of the flash bounce ;)

Considering that we already discussed about the walls distance, I just want to add a sweet thought about the angle of the flash, if I am right:

-1st image has the flash bounced on the left and straight horisontally
-2nd image have a “touch” lift up. maybe 30 degrees or less.

am I right? :)

By: joy oxenrider

joy oxenrider — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:53:17 +0000

oops! Sorry Neil:)

I need to read all of the above then!

Thanks!
Joy

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:46:09 +0000

Joy .. check comment #20 :)

Neil vN

By: Joy Oxenrider

Joy Oxenrider — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:37:18 +0000

Hi Neil,

Image 1: flagged flash pointed to camera left wall

Image 2: Flash pointed straight up to ceiling with flash head turned slight camera right.

Maybe?? LOL

Thanks!
Joy

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:27:48 +0000

Nope .. you have some homework. :)

Neil vN

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:23:45 +0000

Neil, sorry, I’m still confused as to where exactly your flashgun was pointed. Perhaps a diagram?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:14:08 +0000

You mean that the left hand wall is further away, right?

Okay, I think I got it!

Thanks again!

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:06:01 +0000

Yup .. I am much closer to the wall on the right. I barely got my flash directed towards it, since the wall is also part of the stairs leading up.

The right hand wall is further away.

Importantly as well, I am shooting at an angle to the walls.

Neil vN