georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I was photographing some people at a reunion and finally came across something I had heard of but did not understand before: the side shadow that appears (especially with an external flash on your hotshoe) when you turn the camera to get a vertical composition which moves the flash to the side. What kind of bracket will get the flash back on top? I have seen brackets that are just straight,(doesn't seem like that would work) and others that are L shaped, then C shaped, curved ones, ones designated "flip brackets", etc. I want to know just what is the simplest kind that will do the trick, but I can't find on any search a demonstration or visual diagram to show it. Just the simplest cheapest way to get the flash back up over the camera when shooting vertically? I may decide for bells and whistles later, but am on a tight budget now and don't want something I may not need.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I have one of these $20 brackets:
http://www.adorama.com/BOWSPFB.html
and one of these $250 brackets:
http://www.adorama.com/CBDPEK.html

The expensive one is very well made, but it gets a bit heavy.
Is it worth 10x the money?
In the end, the photos look the same with either one.
Just watch your fingers when flipping the less expensive bracket.
With either one, you'll need an extension cable to connect the camera to the flash.

The Lite Genius Lite Scoop almost gets rid of the need for a bracket. Rotated to vertical, the reflector is above the lens (and a little off to the side) throwing the shadow behind the subject. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Lite+Genius&ci=655&N=4168864814+4185058480
No extension cable needed, plus you get a softer light.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I fought this too. After a lot of experimentation, I was forced to realize that you really need to get your flash off the camera. 'cause either portrait or landscape, you're going to have some not-so-pleasant shadows, you're just trying to move them around.
You say you're on a tight budget, as am I, but spend five bucks, plus shipping (?), and for under ten bucks you can get totally much better results.
Take your flash, hook it up to the under-ten-dollar cable, hold it off to the side (even better if you can point your flash up and bounce the light off the ceiling.
Try it. I think you'll like it. :)

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I still keep a basic Stroboframe in the accessory box in the trunk of my car.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Actually, I have one of those flash cables...I didn't even realize at the time I could use it like that! I had originally got it to give a side lighting for close up portraits for facial shadows, but it should be able to be held over the camera when taking a vertical shot. Thanks!

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Yes, that is the C shaped bracket, I see it has pivot point to turn it into an L shape for vertical shooting? Would a simple L shaped bracket do that? I just can't seem to visualize the correct positioning, even with my camera in hand and looking at the sample photos. I would like to see a visual diagram of the bracket in the correct position for vertical shooting, but an hour of searching so far none.

Brian Platt Loc: Poole/Verwood, Dorset, UK

I use the Custom Bracket Mini RC - 50 Dollars US I believe - All their products are engineered very well and will last.
http://www.custombrackets.com/products/camera-flash-brackets/cb-mini-rc.html

Hope this helps

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

This video shows the basic nodel in both modes:
http://www.expotv.com/Stroboframe-Camera-Flip-Flash-Bracket/1C-1h4n/285625

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

It helps in that I see a variation on the different flash bracket designs. But the picture I saw on the link showed the horizontal position with the flash to the side, the problem I am trying to solve is when you turn the camera sideways to take a vertically framed portrait the flash attached to the hotshoe extends sideways and leave a shadow on the right or left of the figure.[[quote=Brian Platt]I use the Custom Bracket Mini RC - 50 Dollars US I believe - All their products are engineered very well and will last.
http://www.custombrackets.com/products/camera-flash-brackets/cb-mini-rc.html

Hope this helps[/quote]

Side Shadows example

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Yes, that does show the vertical configuration that I am interested in, you can see how there is a hinge that 'flips' the camera into the vertical position while maintaining the flash directly above the lens to avoid the side shadows. (see sample I just posted) The poor quality of the video however had the camera and bracket in shadow so it was hard to see the actual configuration; and the lady in the video complained the bracket tended to shift which "may be solved by tightening" but didn't know for sure...I would want to be sure for $50. I was hoping to get by with a simple $10 L bracket, but not sure how it would work.
The only good camera store in Baltimore beside Ritz (if they are even around any more, I haven't seen one lately) is completely on the other side of town, like 45 minutes away. Baltimore only has one camera store now, down from several up until a few years ago. The online sales put everyone else out of business, or else the customer base demographics changed. Also digital made taking your film to be developed obsolete, I guess. The strange thing is that I think I see many more people with some kind of camera nowadays.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Yes, the tension can be adjusted. Based on the age of the bracket, you'll need either a small box wrench or an allen wrench (sorry, I don't remember sizes, but very inexpensive). There are 2 - 4 adjustment points and they are obvious; adjust them to suit yourself (I always liked mine slightly loose).

Stroboframe has a "first aid kit" they provide for dealers - loaded with small and medium parts. You can order small parts from a dealer or Stroboframe.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Why don't you consider bouncing flash off of a side wall instead?

that way you don't have to buy any thing additional, you get nice soft directional light too.

You can bounce flash a LONNGGGGG way...much farther than you think...even in huge rooms.

jimbo70 Loc: Orange Park, FL.

I have this bracket http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52784-REG/Stroboframe_300_100_VH_2000_Stroboflip_Bracket.html. It is inexpensive, works great and is lightweight. I have had others but they can be cumbersome and awkward to use.

redpepper Loc: Central NY

I bounce off the wall or pivot head to ceiling when on camera. I just bought the $19 cable and I do like the look. However, the camera is pretty heavy to hold and steady with one hand.

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Good idea! I started doing that in a room that had a black ceiling and realized, if the situation is right, that I liked the results better than bouncing off the ceiling.

Another thing I recently discovered to work better than I thought it would is to bounce off of tan walls. (All I had to work with in one room) Before that I hadn't considered walls that weren't white or close to it. With auto white balance, the color is fine, maybe a little warmer skin tones, straight out of the camera.


By the way, I have this model Stroboframe
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=105119&is=REG&Q=&A=details

It lets me change the camera to vertical without changing the orientation of the flash. Nice if I put a scoop on that combined ceiling bounce with direct (from scoop) light.

It was particularly nice with my Sony a300 and a midsize Metz flash. I could hold the camera almost normally with left hand on the lens to zoom and my wrist supporting the bracket. With my a77, the balance isn't quite the same, might be the heavier lens.

For the off camera cable, I am really impressed with the Vello brand from B&H. Good quality for minimal $.