Hey, All - I really would like to hear from this group about something that has bothered me since I learned about bounce flash: I would like to know what your preferred method/modifier/technique is when you absolutely CANNOT bounce your flash. I'm sure many of you have been in this situation before. If you have been a photographer for a long time, and have never faced this, well great for you. But, I don't want to hear about the unusual things you have bounced off. I want to know what you do when you walk into a venue for an event and the walls and ceiling are black; or when you look around a venue so dark you cannot see your food and you say to yourself "no way bounce flash is happening"; a cavernous atrium entrance to a courthouse; etc. I don't want to hear about the wedding technique about the flash in each corner, unless you can tell me what you put on your on-camera flash. I want to know what you do with on-camera flash when you cannot bounce. If you come back with the answer "you can always bounce, even off black", well then so be it. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone about this. Thanks.
Dave
Comments
With the kinds of stuff I do, I have to stay at F5.6 because of informally posed group shots. I go to F4 when I know I can, and bring my ISO down to compensate. Also, I pretty much stay at 1/125 shutter because of hand motion getting people in the middle of an animated conversation (unless I want that motion).
P.S. I have also held the camera in one hand and bounced off a white tri-flector held in my other (I saw Neil do this once). It was at the top of the main tank at an aquarium - black walls, black ceiling, low lighting. I know at least a couple of people were not too comfortable with my method.
I really do appreciate the time you have taken to answer these questions in such detail. You have been incredibly helpful to me.
Happy New Year to you - Dave
A useful thread which I hope is not to old for me to post in.
The OP asks "I just really wanted to know if anyone has made use of a Rogue Flashbender, Gary Fong, FStoppers Disc, flash brackets, etc, that kind of a rig when bouncing is impossible."
I have used both a Flashbender or a very small speedlight mounted Lastolite softbox on an off camera flash (speedlight). Neither are going to replace a large softbox but they do help even the light output and help tame hot spots such as a greasy nose.
However, recruiting a helper to hold a reflector to bounce off will probably yield better results.
Simon