Bounce flash in a barn?

psmoore

Homecoming pics coming up and the pics are in a remodeled barn with really high ceilings and extremely dark wood. Any suggestions on bounce or just try fill as best as I can?  Or do I bounce even with dark wood??  Thanks!

the venue is set up for parties and weddings

dbruno

I have dealt with dark wood before, and other non-ideal wall colors. You will get a color cast because of the dark wood. I would get a feel for the color temperature by using a gray card and bouncing off the dark wood, and then just set it in your camera, and modify as needed when you develop the photos. I don't know what kind of camera you are using, but don't hesitate to raise your ISO, and you may need to be quite high. Also, I have never done this, but wedding photographers use a technique where they place Speedlites on stands in the corners of the room, and use direct/modified on-camera flash to control the lights and also light the subject. The lights in the corners give backlighting. As I wrote I have never attempted this, so hopefully someone else will chime in.

As a last resort you could use direct, on-camera flash with a modifier. That has always been a last resort for me. I know other people who bring along an assistant to hold a white reflector and the photographer bounces into that.

Dave

Neil vN

I have bounced off light-colored wood before, but it needs full power manual flash, and a high ISO and f/2.8 ... which means you are working at the limit already. 

Your best option would be some kind of light modifier on your flash to diffuse the flash and make it a larger light source, AND adding off-camera flash in the background as rim lighting.  

MikeZ

I ran into a similar situation. The bounce flash was ok but for moving indoors and out I stay with a cheap umbrella for everything and the fall off gave a nice vignette on the edges. 

Trev

Very nice shots Mike.

MikeZ

Thanks so much Trev.

dbruno

These are nice, but I would think pretty impractical when shooting an event unless the client is looking for posed photos at one end of the barn.

Dave

MikeZ

Often times in large or dark venues a speed light and umbrella in two corners gives very sufficient light. If that is an option. Sometimes bouncing cant do what you need.