On-camera bounce flash for beautiful portrait light

Here are several portraits of a model, Koko, taken during a workshop in my studio last week. She was phenomenal with her posing. Just on all the time. I will post her IG account lower down. The lighting — notice how soft and even it is, but with a gradual contrast to the one side of her face. No hard flash shadow. Just big, soft, directional light in the studio.

All achieved with on-camera bounce flash. Just the one light. No Fong Dong! No MagMod boob! No Rogue Flash bender! Seriously calm down with that unnecessary stuff. You don’t need any of that when there are light-colored bounce-able surfaces around you.

I did use the infamous Black Foamie Thing to control how my light spills, and that there is NO direct flash on her. Just .. dare I say it again … soft, directional light. (Tutorial linked below.)
This is where simplicity and beautiful light intersect — properly bounced flash. It could not be simpler.

• Video tutorial: On-camera bounce flash photography

The bounce flash technique here (as explained thoroughly in that tutorial) is based on the consistent idea that you want to control the direction that your light comes from. Ideally not from your camera & lens axis. You want the light to come from an appropriate direction. With that in mind, you bounce your flash into the direction that you want your light to come from.

Photo gear used in this photo session

.. but really, pretty much any camera and portrait-y lens, with a decently powered flash could have done it. This is all about the technique!

• Sony A1  (B&H / Amazon)
• Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii  (B&H / Amazon)

• Profoto A10 flash  for  Nikon / Canon / Sony  (Amazon affiliate links)
• Profoto A10 flash  for  Nikon / Canon / Sony  (B&H affiliate links)

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On-Camera Flash Photography – revised edition

This book is explains a cohesive and thorough approach to getting the best from your on-camera speedlight.

Particular care was taken to present it all with a logical flow that will help any photographer attain a better understanding of flash photography.

You can either purchase a copy via Amazon USA and Amazon UK, or can be ordered through Barnes & Nobles and other bookstores. The book is also available on the Apple iBook Store, as well as Amazon Kindle. Also check out the Amazon Kindle store.

Learn more about how the cover image was shot.

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