Doug Kerr
Well-known member
Much of our work is impromptu portraits in interior situations where any off-camera lighting equipment (even passive reflectors) is not practical. We have looked into various ways to exploit a single, on-camera flash source.
Of course, the presence of a ceiling amenable to use for bounce lighting is a good situation. But directing the flash head straight up usually leaves us with inadequate "fill" illumination on the face. (I have a particular problem in that in many cases most of the subjects are wearing hats, often with serious brims!)
If the flash unit head is canted forward, we get some fill, but generally the rapid drop-off toward the bottom of the frame is problematical, and as well typically the bulk of the "ceiling source' is moved so far forward that it is not really good for general illumination.
Our Speedlite 580EX II has a nice pull-out "card" that spills a little light forward, but it is usually just enough to do catchlights - not to create serious fill illumination.
Our current thought is that at sundown tomorrow (end of Sukkot) we will order an ExpoImaging Rogue FlashBender Bendable Bounce Card/ Flag:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...UEFLAG_Rogue_FlashBender_Bendable_Bounce.html
We are hopeful that this may allow us to provide a substantial in-the-face component of illumination in a basic bounce flash situation.
Does anyone here have any experience with that general approach? Are other rigs (for example, Gary Fong's cole slaw tubs) worth considering in this regard?
Thanks.
Best regards,
Doug
Of course, the presence of a ceiling amenable to use for bounce lighting is a good situation. But directing the flash head straight up usually leaves us with inadequate "fill" illumination on the face. (I have a particular problem in that in many cases most of the subjects are wearing hats, often with serious brims!)
If the flash unit head is canted forward, we get some fill, but generally the rapid drop-off toward the bottom of the frame is problematical, and as well typically the bulk of the "ceiling source' is moved so far forward that it is not really good for general illumination.
Our Speedlite 580EX II has a nice pull-out "card" that spills a little light forward, but it is usually just enough to do catchlights - not to create serious fill illumination.
Our current thought is that at sundown tomorrow (end of Sukkot) we will order an ExpoImaging Rogue FlashBender Bendable Bounce Card/ Flag:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...UEFLAG_Rogue_FlashBender_Bendable_Bounce.html
We are hopeful that this may allow us to provide a substantial in-the-face component of illumination in a basic bounce flash situation.
Does anyone here have any experience with that general approach? Are other rigs (for example, Gary Fong's cole slaw tubs) worth considering in this regard?
Thanks.
Best regards,
Doug