Should flash always be bounced?

scottduffy

scottduffy

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Scott
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I have not long bought a 430 ex mk2 and i am still getting used to this unit. Should i always try and bounce the flash indoors or are there times when the head should be pointed straight at the subject?
 
i suppose it could be done either way but people prefer one to another, i would use bounce if there was a ceiling or wall to bounce off, but mostly if the subject haas a wall behind them or they are leaning on the wall because if straight flash was shot at someone leaning on a wall then it would cast a horrible strong shadow behind the model.

hoped this helped, MT
 
you could have a look at a diffuser or I've even bounced my flash off of the wall behind me in a gig so that I didn't startle the performer and didn't ruin the ambiance of the show
 
Also need to be aware that if you bounceflash the colour of the wall/ceiling will be cast on the subject...
 
bounce flash shouldd only be brought out as a last resort, its such a flat lifeless borning kinda light.
Get the flash off camera and get some off axis fill going on
 
I often bounce the flash, but use the little white pull-up card on the 580 to give highlights in the eyes of a portrait shot.

When I'm doing something 'serious' like a wedding I normally use a stroboframe which raises the flash above the camera both in landscape and portrait orientations. This reduces red-eye when further from the subject and the increased height pushes the shadow of the flash down behind the subject if they are close to a wall. Nasty shadows are otherwise a huge problem with the camera + flash in portrait.

Phil
 
Short answer...No...

Depends on the effect you're trying to achieve...experiment and see what works and what doesn't, then adapt that to your own images...
 
Outdoors, direct fill-flash is fine. Just don't overdo the flash ;)

Direct on-camera flash indoors, when the flash is the main light, is harsh and casts big shadows right behind the subject. Using an off-camera cord with the flash up higher and to one side is much better.

Bounce flash often gives flat, dull lighting, like a really overcast day. Big shadows under eyes and chins, they don't look good either. But if you add a bit of fill, the effect is transformed. This is what you get with a bounce card ( www.abetterbouncecard.com ) or with a Stofen and it really looks good. Fong is similar.

I like this Lumiquest Quik Bounce which gives much softer direct flash, and also does bounce/fill very well, with horizontal or vertical framing. It does the lot basically, and doesn't waste light/power like most others http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-lumiquest-quik-bounce/p1031217
 
ScarySquirrel said:
How about having the flash on a TTL cord and hand holding it up and left while you shoot with your right?
Click to expand...

friend of mine does this for pub gigs with a G9 and a canon speedlite.

works well for him when he doesn't want to carry his main kit around the place
 
depends on the purpose, for fill bouncing is great but for harder light maybe try something else

like all photography its what suits the circumstance best

squirrel that shot is gorgeous :thumbs:
 
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