Indoor Flash....Need Help.....So much help: Still working and learning. I have a Canon T3i and am getting better. I still have so much trouble with indoor flash shots in general indoor...

deg122 Loc: Buffalo, NY

Still working and learning. I have a Canon T3i and am getting better. I still have so much trouble with indoor flash shots in general indoor shots in my living room with mostly artificial light. Looking for Speedlight suggestions. i understand if I bounce the light off the white ceiling it might provide softer lighting. But i really don't understand much about the features on a Speedlight attachment or what to look for. I want to purchase something, maybe around $100-$150. What should I look for, if not a Canon brand, then what? I'm attaching a few of my granddaughter. Lighting can be fixed a bit in Lightroom ( attaching the originals before any post processing ), but want a better pic to start with.....Thanks for any and all advice.

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anotherview Loc: California

Go here: http://neilvn.com/tangents/high-iso-bounce-flash-photography

This Web-site offers a boatload of technique for doing flash lighting photography.

Look for the "black foamie thing" for directing flash light to surfaces off which to bounce.

Good luck.

deg122 wrote:

Still working and learning. I have a Canon T3i and... (show quote)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The link to Neil's site in anotherview's post above is a must read. :thumbup:

In the text Neil says:"While were here, can we just dispel entirely with the idea that high ISO settings and fast glass can get you usable results every time."

I have read a lot of posts here about using only fast glass and high ISO because the photographer wanted the "natural" look. (more likely he/she is uncomfortable using flash) If the light quality sucks, no amount of post-processing is going to fix it better or faster than if you lit it better in the first place.

I have not used one personally but the Yongnou 565 EX II gets a lot of good reviews.
I think it's right at $100.

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto: "If the light quality sucks, no amount of post-processing is going to fix it better or faster than if you lit it right in the first place."

Flash lighting opens more photo opportunities. Neil van Niekerk shows us how to do it.

GoofyNewfie wrote:

The link to Neil's site in anotherview's post abov... (show quote)

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

If you just want to soften snapshots around the house on not of big groups you may want to try a hot shoe mounted diffuser for you camera's flash. Her is one on Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Color-Pop-Up-Flash-Diffuser-For-Canon-650D-600D-550D-7D-Nikon-D7000-D5100-D90-/251188702894?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7c036eae For $4 you can't go too wrong. I like them. - Dave

alissaspieces Loc: New York

I was just going to tell you the same thing! I actually met Neil at the photo expo last month and he is a very nice guy. I truly learned almost all of my off camera and on camera flash from his site and also from rpavich her on uhh. He is very kind and quite helpful and knowledgeable.

anotherview wrote:

Go here: http://neilvn.com/tangents/high-iso-bounce-flash-photography

This Web-site offers a boatload of technique for doing flash lighting photography.

Look for the "black foamie thing" for directing flash light to surfaces off which to bounce.

Good luck.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

I have the Yongnou flash and it is excellent but the one I have is only manual and for the purposes of using it on top of your camera it would become quite tedious. However, for my off camera speedflash work it is an excellent flash for sure. I would suggest getting a flash that has ttl (automatic settings) too because once you move your distance to the subject the flash settings may have to change and for casual photographs it would be a lot of work to keep changing your manual flash.

GoofyNewfie wrote:

The link to Neil's site in anotherview's post abov... (show quote)

anotherview Loc: California

NVN gave me the flash lighting technique that made the breakthrough for me in understanding and using flash lighting. His book "On-Camera Flash" I treated like a flash lighting bible.

alissaspieces wrote:

I was just going to tell you the same thing! I actually met Neil at the photo expo last month and he is a very nice guy. I truly learned almost all of my off camera and on camera flash from his site and also from rpavich her on uhh. He is very kind and quite helpful and knowledgeable.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

One thing that Neil said at the expo during his presentation was to remember to "bounce light in the direction that you want it to come from". And he uses that "black foamie thing " all of the time and it makes sense because it is really just flagging the light so that all you are getting on your subject is the bounced light from the wall or ceiling and not any smidge coming off of the front of your flash. I wish I could suggest which canon flash to get but I am a nikon user. I did buy the Yungono first but once I realized that I needed some ttl for certain situations I bought a nikon flash. However, I did buy my nikon off of EBAY used and it has been great.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

Yes..me too! So when I turned the corner and saw that he was a speaker at one of the booths I was so excited! He is really excellent at what he does.

anotherview wrote:

NVN gave me the flash lighting technique that made the breakthrough for me in understanding and using flash lighting. His book "On-Camera Flash" I treated like a flash lighting bible.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

And that black foamie thing is kinda genius! For a dollar and a rubber band I have a great flag that really works. Question though..I do have trouble when I turn my camera to the vertical position for portrait shaped photos getting the flash position correct. Do you have any suggestions?

anotherview wrote:

NVN gave me the flash lighting technique that made the breakthrough for me in understanding and using flash lighting. His book "On-Camera Flash" I treated like a flash lighting bible.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

The advice about checking out Neil's site is very good, I've heard him speak, and used his techniques, but sometimes you don't have enough power or a good bounce surface, so check out the Lumiquest products, you can get enough of an idea from their website to make your own , piece of white cardboard and a rubber band, if you find that kind of item useful then you can get a better looking and longer lasting one.

Jcmarino

It looks like you are using the flash in the camera on these photos. A speed light would help tremendously and getting it off camera will improve the light further more. But until you decide what you want to do and invest in, try taking a piece of white paper and place it in front of the camera flash, angled toward the ceiling to bounce the light. Also google other ways to soften in camera flash. There are several homemade remedies out there that will help in the mean time.

WereWolf1967 Loc: Knoxville, TN

alissaspieces wrote:

And that black foamie thing is kinda genius! For a dollar and a rubber band I have a great flag that really works. Question though..I do have trouble when I turn my camera to the vertical position for portrait shaped photos getting the flash position correct. Do you have any suggestions?

For that scenario, a flip flash camera bracket works well. Beside my Nikon SB 600 & 800 units, I also use my Metz 54MZ4i with the Nikon module it works with all my Nikon bodies, even my newest one the DF. I just rotate the main head to bounce off either the ceiling or else a neutral colored wall. I then use the smaller secondary fill flash head to illuminate the face but not over power it.

deg122 Loc: Buffalo, NY

Saw this on Amazon, used at $80. I would like to invest in something and budget dictates say around $125 tops. Is used too risky. Other purchase ideas are appreciated.......as are the comments above. I love this site and your help.

Metz MZ 44311C 44 AF-1 E-TTL / E-TTL II Flash Mode for Digital Canon Cameras