WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

Here is what I have worked up for adding fill flash or a bit of extra spark to my bird photos.

The attached bluebirds represent very early experiments with the dlash and one with no flash for comparison.

Ad a point of referance I set my exposure for the background and was trying to add some light to the bird. The bird was in heavy shadow.
The nonflash bluebird in the bird path is the result of the camera working faster tha n the flash could recharge.

With flash set to 1/2 power. A bit to much flash.

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Flash did not fire, recharging.

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This was shot at 2/3 less than 1/2 power.

(Download)

photoman43

I used to use flash a lot on my bird pictures especially in my slide film days when there was no way to enhance anything after you triggered the shutter.

My usual setup, for film and then digital, was the same: 500mm lens; ambient light was the main light; flash was fill light. Flash synch set to rear curtain (Nikon) or second curtain (Canon) so flash went off at the end of the exposure.

I used TTL flash and not manual. (For Nikon shooters, TTL is different than TTL BL.) In TTL I set flash exposure compensation to usually a -2.0 or maybe -3.0 and then adjusted it as needed. I always tried to make sure the flash was not visible in the final image.

I used to use a Better beamer. Then I switched to a more sophisticated product that beamed the flash, the MagBeam wildlife Kit. It wworked much better than my old beamer.

https://magnetmod.com/products/magbeam-wildlife-kit

Now that I shoot mostly with a mirrorless camera, I rarely use fill flash anymore. I do encourage you to keep using fill flash as it often makes a good image even better.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

Thanks for the incouragement.
At the very least I'm enjoying the learning of a new tool. I need to add a flash extender, I believe one is on the way. I looked at the Magbeam wildlife kit at Magmod. At the moment they are out of stock. Looks like a slick setup.

JimmyTB

Thanks for showing your setup and the 3 different images. The 3rd image is very nice and is what I am hoping for.
A friend of mine improvised by using a Rouge Flash Bender rolled into a tube to extend the flash. You could possibly try something like that until your extender gets to you. Maybe drape some tissue paper or sheer white fabric over to diffuse. I have no experience doing it but I may try myself

agillot

At time use an older flash that has manual power output control with the better beamer attached [ Fresnel lens ]. This double or triple the distance available .

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The only problem with using flash is that you can only take one image at a time. And, you are limiting yourself to usable distance without a BETTER BEAMER attached to your flash. I usually make sure the sun is coming over my shoulder and front lighting my birds, and I shoot a mile a minute to make sure I get the action shot I can.
For a single bird sitting close to you, you will be fine, as for me, I will continue my technique.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

I'm enjoying the new learning experience. Adding the flash, flash holder, off-shoe cord, and ext battery adds a bit of bulk and make free hand shooting impractical but I think it's worth the trouble. I'm also finding that "flash" photography is a very deep rabbit hole. It's so much more than just adding a bit of light. So far it has a been fascinating.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

👍

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

A big for the 2/3 adjustment!
May I ask how far away you were?

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

Sorry for the delay.
20-25' for these