Huge venues and bounce flash – how to double your flash power
Bounce flash and huge venues - how to double your flash power
A spontaneous moment with two of the lovely people at an event I photographed. Perhaps technically unremarkable until you consider the size of the venue, and that I used bounce flash. If you look at the photo below, you'll see that it was a huge indoor basketball / sport court. Now, if you're familiar with the tutorials on this site on bounce flash photography, you'll know that I try to avoid direct flash as much as possible. Even flash attachments that throw light forward -- I avoid using those. Instead, I much more Read more inside...Video tutorial: On-camera bounce flash photography
Video tutorial: On-camera bounce flash photography
I finally put together the really, REALLY big tutorial about on-camera bounce flash photography. It's an entire workshop. This is a long one. An hour's worth of material. It's going to require a bit of stamina. If you prefer Youtube : Bounce Flash - That one thing you need to know. Related to this video, is this video where we discuss how Bounce flash photography & The Inverse Square Law interrelate. There's something interesting and unexpected happening there. And if you are new to the "Black Foamie Read more inside...Bounce flash photography & The Inverse Square Law
Bounce flash photography & The Inverse Square Law
If you find the title of this article a touch intimidating, please stick around and watch the video. It is important to understand how The Inverse Square Law affects bounce flash photography, and creates a specific result where the background appears brighter when the flash is bounced properly without on-camera flash modifiers. I know that is counter-intuitive, but that is what happens when you bounce your bare flash behind you instead of using a light modifier on your flash. The accompanying video, linked to below, explains this Read more inside...Bounce flash photography with wooden ceilings
Bounce flash photography with wooden ceilings
When photographing wedding receptions, I would ideally like to get away with just one on-camera flash that I bounce off surfaces behind me. A venue with (close to) white ceilings and walls are just perfect. Super easy. Even with really high ceilings, I try to make it work. Here for example, I used a single bare on-camera flash to light up the entire place -- Wedding reception lighting with one flash. No diffuser cup or white bounce card. Bare flash with the Black Foamie Thing. But occasionally I reach the dead-end of a venue with black Read more inside...How to make your on-camera flash NOT look like on-camera flash
How to make your on-camera flash NOT look like on-camera flash
I was quite honored to be invited by the team at Zeiss Camera Lenses Americas, to take part in their series of Youtube Live events, appropriately called 'Conversations'. My friend, Tracy, who you might remember from a previous "Two Perspectives" video, where we photographed headshots on location in New York. The topic that Tracy asked me about, is one that regular followers of the Tangents blog will be familiar with - How to make your on-camera flash NOT look like on-camera flash. This Youtube Live event was held via a Read more inside...Bounce flash photography – when to use maximum flash power
Bounce flash photography - when to use maximum flash power
This photo is straightforward enough - the event coordinator here asked that I take a few photos of the models in body paint. No time to fumble or look unsure. Again, there are simple recipes to get us to ideal settings. The reception area around the indoor pool is really large with a super-high ceiling at this casino. There's enough light to see, but it is all tainted with this strong purple and blue uplighting. Therefore flash becomes a necessity. I need cleaner light - more neutral light - on my subjects. Skin tones Read more inside...Impromptu portrait with bounce flash
Impromptu portrait with bounce flash
Faustina, a model, arrived early for the video shoot in the studio today. We chatted while she waited for her team to arrive. She had questions about photography ... so she earned herself a lecture about photography. That's what you get for hanging out with me. Careful what you ask for! On-camera bounce flash, the usual, proper way for awesome light. This really is an impromptu photo - not overly posed, to show her how I use flash. And I think that is the point of this - flash photography can look *this* good with minimal effort. Minimal Read more inside...Review: Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI flash
Review: Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI flash
Before we get into this review of the Canon 470EX-AI speedlite (B&H / Amazon), I need to mention that I wanted this review video to be more than just a listing of the features of this flash. We therefore also delve into bounce flash technique. So there is something here even for those photographers who don't shoot Canon, or have no real interest in getting this flash. So please do check the video out. I was really curious to get to play with the Canon 470EX-AI speedlite (B&H / Amazon) for a review, Read more inside...Bounce flash photography and dark ceilings
Bounce flash photography and dark ceilings
With the tutorials here on how to bounce flash, the questions inevitably come up - what if there is nothing to bounce your flash off? What if there are dark ceilings? Well, these limitations do affect how I use flash at events - but I still work according to a few set guidelines that give me the best results with bounce flash. I bounce my flash into the direction that I want to come from, regardless of whether there is a white wall or ceiling. It really is all about the Direction of Light. I also shy away from using any of the Read more inside...- 1
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