{"id":1928,"date":"2009-12-22T04:49:09","date_gmt":"2009-12-22T08:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.planetneil.com\/tangents\/?p=1928"},"modified":"2017-08-28T00:06:12","modified_gmt":"2017-08-28T04:06:12","slug":"using-on-camera-flash-modifier-that-is-black-instead-of-white","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/using-on-camera-flash-modifier-that-is-black-instead-of-white\/","title":{"rendered":"Why use an on-camera flash modifier that is black, instead of white?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Why use an on-camera flash modifier that is black, instead of white?<\/h1>\n

This question repeatedly comes up as response to the various articles here on my favorite light modifier – the black foamie thing<\/a>. For anyone new to this, here are the two main articles on how I use a piece of black foam to flag my on-camera speedlight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The question invariably comes up:
\nwhy a piece of black foam and not a white card or a piece of white foam?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The short answer: The idea behind the BFT is that it acts as a flag, not a bounce card.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\"On-Camera<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
\n\t\t\t\t\t

On-Camera Flash Photography – revised edition<\/h2>\n

This book is explains a cohesive and thorough approach to getting the best from your on-camera speedlight.<\/p>\n

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

You can either purchase a copy via\u00a0Amazon USA<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Amazon UK<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0or can be ordered through Barnes & Nobles and other bookstores. The book\u00a0is also available on the Apple iBook Store, as well as Amazon Kindle.\nAlso check out the Amazon Kindle store.<\/p>\n

Learn more about\u00a0how\u00a0the cover image<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0was shot.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

Control over the direction of light<\/h2>\n

Looking at the top –\u00a0I wanted to place my light source (ie, the area where I am bouncing off), at some point to the right of me, and above me, but also a little to the front of the bride. This way her arm and back to me, are under-lit compared to her face (which we see here as a reflection in the mirror.)\u00a0 Instead of a plastic light modifier or something similar, I used a black piece of foam to flag<\/strong> the light from my speedlight.<\/p>\n

An open card with white on the one side might have thrown too much light into the room again, flattening the lighting.\u00a0 I don’t want that.\u00a0 I want directional light.\u00a0 I want that interplay between light and shade.\u00a0 I want contrast.<\/p>\n

And in an opposite way of reasoning, a snoot might be too specific, since I do need a fairly large area to bounce effectively.<\/p>\n

I like this piece of black foam. I can roll it a little bit with my left hand, and turn it into a snoot if I want to.\u00a0 I can also roll it back and open it up.\u00a0\u00a0Ultimately, this piece of black foam is simple, yet flexible.\u00a0 And this is what I use\u00a0if I need to bounce my\u00a0speedlight with a fair amount of control <\/strong>over the flash’s\u00a0light.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Materials for the flash modifier used – the black foamie thing<\/h2>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
\n\t\t\t\t\tI use the black foamie thing (BFT) as a truly inexpensive flash modifier to flag my on-camera flash to give me lighting indoors that truly look nothing like on-camera flash.The piece of foam<\/strong><\/a> (Amazon<\/em>), can be ordered via this link. I cut the sheet into smaller pieces.

The BFT is held in position by two hair bands<\/strong><\/a> (Amazon<\/em>), and the BFT is usually placed on the under-side<\/strong> of the flash-head.

The linked articles will give clearer instruction, especially the video clip on using the black foamie thing<\/a>.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
<\/div><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

If there are no bounce-able surfaces, then you have <\/strong>to make other plans.\u00a0 You either have to use different light modifiers, or use direct flash, or ideally, off-camera lighting.\u00a0 You will obviously not be able to use a piece of black foam to flag yourself and your speedlight out of all kinds of impossible scenarios.\u00a0 You have<\/strong> to be adaptable in how you use light.<\/p>\n

Yes, I do use other flash modifiers at times.\u00a0 But indoors, (and even outdoors<\/a>), where I have surfaces I can bounce my flash off, this piece of black foam gives me the control I need<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 And the results are there in the images that I show on this site, as well as my work as a wedding photographer in New Jersey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I want to emphasize this point again – there is no quick fix<\/strong>.\u00a0 I am staunchly against the idea of a cure-all approach to lighting and flash photography. Specifically, the idea that a single piece of plastic attached to your flash will give you the best results all<\/strong> the time – that<\/em> idea will hold you back.<\/p>\n

You have to constantly adapt your technique by considering your subject, the scenario you’re in .. and the results you’d finally like to achieve.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Related articles<\/h2>\n