Camera mounted flash - Does the light need to be bounced to be useful?
Dec 3, 2015 12:08:47 #
Joe Zeltzman would tell you that there are times when "on the camera" or darn close is best--like groups of people--this afternoon I am going to photographing a grand opening--I would be very surprised if I take the flash off the camera--you can spend time fizzing with your ewuipment, or you can be taking pictures
Stan
Stan
Dec 3, 2015 12:10:32 #
juanderfulpics
Loc: central jersey
Don't know what lens you're using. But if you have a 2.8 you won't need the flash for indoor basketball. I'm willing to bet you that shooting manual say 500 shutter 2.8 aperture and iso at 6400 you'll do okay with manageable noise. Flash is not allowed anywhere I shoot basketball
Dec 3, 2015 12:26:12 #
Bloke wrote:
Not sure what connection between portraits and astronomy... For astro work, the last thing you want is any kind of flash firing. You want to minimize extraneous light as much as humanly possible. Firing a flash, the light is going to reflect off any dust, bugs or moisture in the air, and degrade the astro image.
Somebody did mention on the astro forum about using the flash for a shot of the moon, but the idea was soundly debunked, as I recall.
Somebody did mention on the astro forum about using the flash for a shot of the moon, but the idea was soundly debunked, as I recall.
I see nothing in the orginal question about astrophotography. Why the hangup on it?
Dec 3, 2015 12:42:40 #
https://bradphotography.smugmug.com/Waverly-vs-Portsmouth-15/i-HQcPmcB/0/XL/GL7A0456-XL.jpg :| :?
- hotlinked pic
- hotlinked picDec 3, 2015 12:45:33 #
Trying to figure out how to add a picture from last nights game. It is hosted by smugmug. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Dec 3, 2015 12:53:33 #
I have collapsible 43 inch reflector you can make it clear, black, white silver aor gold, Got it on ebay for $8.00
I have someone hold that and I can bounce a flash off of it. works ok, not great but ok.
I have someone hold that and I can bounce a flash off of it. works ok, not great but ok.
Dec 3, 2015 13:30:14 #
toast wrote:
Is the light coming from a camera mounted flash unit still useful is there is nothing to bounce the light off of?
I'm thinking you still get some benefit/effect from the light/flash but not sure.
I'm thinking you still get some benefit/effect from the light/flash but not sure.
I would agree with Richard - it depends on your light in the current situation. The one thing to remember is you'll need more aperture or less shutter speed to make that work.
Dec 3, 2015 13:35:50 #
The lighting in the gym last night was the worst I have ever seen. Really dim! I asked the Ref before the game if I could use "flash" and he said no. Ohio High School Athletic Association guidelines says the flash can be used as long as you are not directly behind the paint area. But I didn't want to argue. Lol
Data for the picture: 2.8 aperture, shutter 1/640, ISO 8000 and 70mm. ISO was on auto so the camera choose 8000. Most gyms I shoot in the ISO is around 2500 or 3200. I did crop the photo. Also did some post processing.
JohnTxNC: Thanks for the pictures and your post! Good stuff and helpful :)
Data for the picture: 2.8 aperture, shutter 1/640, ISO 8000 and 70mm. ISO was on auto so the camera choose 8000. Most gyms I shoot in the ISO is around 2500 or 3200. I did crop the photo. Also did some post processing.
JohnTxNC: Thanks for the pictures and your post! Good stuff and helpful :)
Dec 3, 2015 13:35:51 #
toast wrote:
Is the light coming from a camera mounted flash unit still useful is there is nothing to bounce the light off of?
I'm thinking you still get some benefit/effect from the light/flash but not sure.
I'm thinking you still get some benefit/effect from the light/flash but not sure.
Side note. A flash can freeze the subject in a longer exposure.
Dec 3, 2015 13:55:20 #
bdk wrote:
I have collapsible 43 inch reflector you can make it clear, black, white silver aor gold, Got it on ebay for $8.00
I have someone hold that and I can bounce a flash off of it. works ok, not great but ok.
I have someone hold that and I can bounce a flash off of it. works ok, not great but ok.
That kind of stand can be expensive, especially if it's your wife!
Dec 3, 2015 13:57:22 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
That kind of stand can be expensive, especially if it's your wife!
Yeah! $8.00 won't get my wife to bend over to pick it up...
Wait... I didn't mean that the way it sounded.
DON'T TELL MY WIFE
Dec 3, 2015 14:06:33 #
JohnTxNC wrote:
Basketball is a different beast.... I have just ... (show quote)
I agree whole heartedly.
If you've read any of my posts you will know that I am a flash advocate and usually really dislike uncontrollable available light. 90% of my shoots outside of the studio are events, using my on-camera flash with my trusty Lite-Scoop . . . but there is one great exception . . .
SPORTS!
Hockey, football, baseball and pretty well any other sport in a well lit arena or field is definitely best done with no flash.
Dec 3, 2015 14:11:06 #
Environment important in this sport. Metering and WB settings for the ambient light make sense here.
Some sports shooters use flash lighting but they put in place setups designed for the space.
Some sports shooters use flash lighting but they put in place setups designed for the space.
JohnTxNC wrote:
Basketball is a different beast.... I have just ... (show quote)
Dec 3, 2015 14:32:25 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Yes. I use bounce flash, with a Gary Fong diffuser, whenever I am shooting indoors. You get some direct flash, but the majority of the light is directed upwards and produces warmer results.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Assume you are talking about the Lightsphere. You get quite a bit of very diffuse light forward as well as some bounce off the cover. I usually mold a small piece of aluminum foil in the back so that I get a little more light forward.
Dec 3, 2015 14:44:12 #
toast wrote:
Is the light coming from a camera mounted flash unit still useful is there is nothing to bounce the light off of?
I'm thinking you still get some benefit/effect from the light/flash but not sure.
I'm thinking you still get some benefit/effect from the light/flash but not sure.
It depends on the context!
In backlit conditions in bright sun, camera-mounted direct flash can be useful to balance the shadow exposure of the subject with the sunlit exposure of the subject. If you just open the lens two stops, without using a reflector or a flash, the sunlit side gets burned out/blocked up and goes "paper white" with no recoverable detail.
Also in bright sun, using a powerful flash to OVERRIDE the sun can add drama, by allowing you to underexpose the background lit by the sun. Moving the flash off camera works much better, however.
Direct, on-camera flash indoors usually produces one of the ugliest lighting effects you can imagine. It needs to be just ONE of the flash sources used as fill, not the main light or the only light.
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