Comments

• Zenon Member

  February 2013

  Only thing I can think of is a reflector which I have used indoors but outdoors you are dealing with wind so you are no better off. They only difference is if your reflector blows over you are not damaging anything expensive. Weigh down a stand with reflector with sand bags. Still like a parachute. Day or night shot? Is there a building, glass, billboard or anything else available? Can you be mobile to find something like that.

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• Jansplans Member

  March 2013

  Usually daytime ... Think wild Texas ranch land, no buildings, etc. large reflectors really don't work with the wind even with sandbags. I'm hoping to find a modifier to put on my on-camera flash to make the setup go faster.

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• Richard Member

  March 2013

  Jansplans: take a look at the Rogue Flashbender and add on diffusion panel. This setup works nicely and can be used on camera or obviously off camera with a cord or via pop-up flash if your flash supports this function. http://www.expoimaging.com/product-overview.php?cat_id=13&keywords=_Rogue_FlashBenders

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• Naftoli Member

  March 2013

  the other day without an assistant on an engagement shoot https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=462075663866215&set=a.411710102236105.95032.286484681425315&type=1&theater
  shot with unmodified on camera flash

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• jefflawrence Member

  March 2013 edited March 2013

  Lets look at your question specifically
  
  "I am wondering if I can create directional light with on-camera flash outdoors if I don't have anything to bounce off of"
  
  The answer is yes and no
  
  Yes in that your flashes direction must be direct on camera flash if you can bounce. Physics really.
  
  Can you create directional light? Yes
  But you have many methods
  
  One suggested a reflector, yep but that puts you in the same situation as using off camera flash which you implied you didn't want to use.
  
  Direct fill flash is your only real option using ambient light and your main light.
  There are many options but to get a photo but answering your question specifically physics dictates that if there is nothing to bounce flash off off then you obviously can't use that flash to bounce the light. But yes you can get a pleasing directional light using your flash as fill only down 2-3 stops directly.
  
  Also, observing the direction of ambient light
  
  May I point you here as a start
  However, please really focus on the setting and how the lights direction is coming from as Neil describes it as we'll as exactly what he exposes for in relation to the background.
  
  
  http://neilvn.com/tangents/photography-technique-taking-photos-in-harsh-sunlight/
  
  http://neilvn.com/tangents/observing-and-using-the-available-light/
  
  Hope this helps

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• Neil vN Administrator

  March 2013

  In daylight, your bounce flash is just not going to be strong enough. You will have to be more efficient in directing light onto your subject
  - either a softbox (which might still cut the light too much, or
  - direct, off-camera flash

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• nickcalvert Member

  March 2013 edited March 2013

  I got over this problem on a windy shoot with a brick! (actually 2)
  
  Off camera flash, SB800 on stand, no brollie etc, but with the bricks in a bag hanging from the centre of the stand between the legs. As it was daylight, any large wind catching light modifiers were imperceptible so the the direct flash, off camera was fine and it didn't blow over!

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