Understanding Bounce Flash
Dec 1, 2015 20:12:56 #
I am often confused when watching other photographers use bounce flash. My understanding of bounce flash is when you point the flash head away from the main subject, with the idea that the light from the flash will bounce off something and be a softer, larger light source.
So here is when I get confused. I have noticed some photographers will point the flash up, or up and to the side when they are outside. What is the light bouncing off of, the stars, the sky?
Can someone explain (or provide a good link) to explain how this pointing the flash toward the sky, or a 50+ foot ceiling works.
And just to be clear, these are people being paid for event photography. So they must know something I do not know or understand.
So here is when I get confused. I have noticed some photographers will point the flash up, or up and to the side when they are outside. What is the light bouncing off of, the stars, the sky?
Can someone explain (or provide a good link) to explain how this pointing the flash toward the sky, or a 50+ foot ceiling works.
And just to be clear, these are people being paid for event photography. So they must know something I do not know or understand.
Dec 1, 2015 20:16:06 #
Dec 1, 2015 20:21:58 #
Angle of incidence equals angle of reflectance. Google YouTube. Bouncing the flash avoids the dreaded on-camera flash look( harsh, no contrast lighting). I turn the head to place the light from the direction I want it to come from. At events, wedding receptions,etc., I usually want the light to be soft and even; ceilings usually provide this. If outdoors, I am looking for the barest of fill and turning the flash head up with a bounce card will provide this.
Try Kelby One or Linda.com for some tutorials.
Try Kelby One or Linda.com for some tutorials.
Dec 1, 2015 20:25:33 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
photostephen wrote:
I am often confused when watching other photograph... (show quote)
Rather than trying to explain it in a few sentences, I suggest you Google "bounce flash." Here's one example:
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/20/bounce-flash-photography-techniques-in-4-simple-steps/
Good luck, you'll find it's pretty easy to do.
Dec 1, 2015 20:28:48 #
photostephen wrote:
I am often confused when watching other photograph... (show quote)
Unfortunately, just being paid doesn't make you a good photographer. Pointing the flash at something that is 50 feet away, or at nothing, or at a "reflective surface that isn't light in color," just illustrates that the photographer has no idea what they are doing. Outdoors, if you want to use a "fill flash" use a diffuser on your flash or, even better, use a reflector on your flash, but use something to deflect and reflect the light so the source is not a point source.
Dec 1, 2015 20:30:38 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
LarryFB wrote:
Unfortunately, just being paid doesn't make you a good photographer. Point the flash at something that is 50 feet away, or at nothing, or at a "reflective surface that isn't light in color," just illustrates that the photographer has no idea what they are doing. Outdoors, if you want to use a "fill flash" use a diffuser on your flash or, even better, use a reflector on your flash, but use something to deflect and reflect the light so the source is not a point source.
I don't think the OP saw the reflector. :)
Dec 1, 2015 20:36:29 #
photostephen wrote:
I am often confused when watching other photograph... (show quote)
Stephen, there is probably a bit more going on then you described. Perhaps a diffuser was placed over the flash, which would not constitute bounce flash, but diffused flash, which softens the harsh capabilities of a stobe.
There are quite a lot of very good tutorials presented by the strobist. Just google strobist and you'll be able to find that site.
--Bob
Dec 1, 2015 20:38:05 #
I assure you that if the people I saw using bounce flash had a reflector (even the tiny one built into the flash), a defuser or similar I would have noticed. I have seen and used bounce cards and Gary Fong (or similar) defusers.
I am referring to photographers who point their flash toward a void. The closest surface that could bounce the light back was at least 30+ feet away.
I am referring to photographers who point their flash toward a void. The closest surface that could bounce the light back was at least 30+ feet away.
Dec 1, 2015 20:39:59 #
photostephen wrote:
... I have noticed some photographers will point the flash up, or up and to the side when they are outside. What is the light bouncing off of, the stars, the sky?
Can someone explain (or provide a good link) to explain how this pointing the flash toward the sky, or a 50+ foot ceiling works...
Can someone explain (or provide a good link) to explain how this pointing the flash toward the sky, or a 50+ foot ceiling works...
Bounce is fairly commonly used. However it is true that you have to have something to bounce against. Otherwise you're just sending signals to outer space.
The only explanation I can come up with is that some people just set their camera up for a bounce flash shot, then forget it when they go outside. Or maybe they're counting on tree branches to reflect some light, or passing birds, or butterflies (or moths attracted to the light).
I have used bounce flash in large rooms with 30 foot high ceilings. If you raise the ISO enough it does work, but you're generally maxing out the flash.
Dec 1, 2015 20:49:45 #
Haha! They have their ISO set so high that the ambient light is sufficient for the exposure. The flash is pointing up because it looks cool that way.
Dec 1, 2015 21:24:19 #
I use it all the time.
To get a softer light, you need a larger source.
Bouncing the light off ceilings and/or walls can easily do that.
A good source for bounce flash tutorials is Neil vs Niekirk
HERE is his site.
You can defuse a bomb but it has nothing to do with photography.
Flash diffusers work well only at close range in small areas where there are walls and ceiling for the light to bounce off. Saw a guy using a Gary Fong dome at graduation held in a sports arena. He was easily 100' away from the stage.
...My wife told me not to say anything to him.
To get a softer light, you need a larger source.
Bouncing the light off ceilings and/or walls can easily do that.
A good source for bounce flash tutorials is Neil vs Niekirk
HERE is his site.
You can defuse a bomb but it has nothing to do with photography.
Flash diffusers work well only at close range in small areas where there are walls and ceiling for the light to bounce off. Saw a guy using a Gary Fong dome at graduation held in a sports arena. He was easily 100' away from the stage.
...My wife told me not to say anything to him.
Dec 1, 2015 22:12:03 #
I had the privilege of spending a day with Jim Richardson, a National Geographic photographer, in his studio in Lindsborg KS. He took us to eat at a bar & grill in town. He gave us a lesson on using flash the way he documented bars in Ireland and England.
We were sitting at a table, and he said to aim the flash where you wish there was a window. He aimed it at kind of a void space. the light could not have bounced back at us in any way you would think it might. But when he took the picture and showed it to me it looked like we sitting in faint window light, it looked great.
I have also seen those guys in large church sanctuaries with the light aimed at the ceiling, even saw a sports photographer bouncing his light off the gym ceiling for shooting a long jumper. that was just plain stupid.
You can aim the light straight up, or almost straight up, and tape an index card or a sheet of copy paper to the back of the flash and get some bounce to lighten the eyes. First you need the proper exposure from your ambient light.
We were sitting at a table, and he said to aim the flash where you wish there was a window. He aimed it at kind of a void space. the light could not have bounced back at us in any way you would think it might. But when he took the picture and showed it to me it looked like we sitting in faint window light, it looked great.
I have also seen those guys in large church sanctuaries with the light aimed at the ceiling, even saw a sports photographer bouncing his light off the gym ceiling for shooting a long jumper. that was just plain stupid.
You can aim the light straight up, or almost straight up, and tape an index card or a sheet of copy paper to the back of the flash and get some bounce to lighten the eyes. First you need the proper exposure from your ambient light.
Dec 1, 2015 22:17:11 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
I use it all the time. br To get a softer light, y... (show quote)
Was it hard to just sit there and keep quiet?
Dec 1, 2015 22:23:46 #
photostephen wrote:
I am often confused when watching other photograph... (show quote)
Yes, it will definately bounce off the stars!! Problem is, the light won't likely return in either the subject's or the photographer's, lifetimes!!!! :lol: :lol:
SS
Dec 2, 2015 00:10:38 #
photostephen wrote:
I am often confused when watching other photograph... (show quote)
Here's what I think you are seeing.
They point the flash away because they don't want to turn the flash off and loose the settings they have dialed in.
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