using flash and white bits

[KIPAX]

I really do struggle with flash.. inonsistant results no matter what I do... using flash is a real weak point for me and I hate it

I had need for flash last week at a cheque presentation in a very badly lit sports arena.. the checque being white took all the flash and everyhting else is well under exposed... Have done this many timesd when its badly lit and theres somehting very white in the pic..

how do I get around this?

 

[Dangleman]

Assuming you don't, or there wasn't the option to do off camera wireless flash, at least try to bounce it, and possibly get them to angle the cheque or whatever slightly forward?

 

[HoppyUK]

Assuming you don't, or there wasn't the option to do off camera wireless flash, at least try to bounce it, and possibly get them to angle the cheque or whatever slightly forward?

I agree. Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection, ie light bounces off a surface at the same angle it strikes it, like a snooker ball off the cushion.

So if you are shooting with direct on-camera flash straight at a flat surface square on to the camera, the flash will bounce straight back at you like a mirror.

Ask them to angle the card left/right, or tilt it up/down. If that's not possible, move the flash to create an angle that way.

 

[EdinburghGary]

Kipax,

Get it off camera, and stick it in a giant weighted brolly, simple as it gets and gives a lovely diffused light, I use a massive 60" brolly from calumet, which can be bounced on, or shoot through.

G.