Advise pls on bounce flash and reflector

[Paladin]

Posted b4 with no advise..so please advise leh.....

Used the 420ex with my DIY reflector....

and the result at 60 degree bounce with reflector

and without the reflector at 60 degree bounce...

to me the 2nd pic looks warmer, right?? I just got the feeling that with the reflector card, it still creates quite a harsh pic. Maybe it is becos my seling was lower and if in a ballroom setting, will it be different??

Another example...the pic on top is bounce falsh with the reflector while the below pic is without reflector...looks better without right??


Another thing..this was taken from G2, so if from SLR film, effect should be the same?

Please advise

 

[YSLee]

The 2nd pic still looks better than the first pic.

 

[Paladin]

Originally posted by YSLee
The 2nd pic still looks better than the first pic.

That's my confusion, pic taken with 60 degree bounce flash without reflector seems to turn out better..why?

 

[George]

Paladin:
There are too many variable that might cause the difference. Using bounce flash with reflector should be something like these:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=268

Distance, celling....etc might be the problem. And the reflector is suppose to give catch light to the subject.

Cheers!

 

[ckiang]

Hi,

My personal tip for indoor flash.

1. Use 75° bounce, or even 90° if you are using a bounce card. Also, larger bounce card = softer lighting.

2. Meter the ambient lighting. Set the camera to manual mode, then set shutter speed to 1-2 stop underexposure. E.g. if ambient exposure is 1/15s at f/4, set your camera to 1/60s at f/4.

3. Shoot.

Using bounced flash without bounce card usually gives shadows under the chin, etc, which can look not-so-nice.

With the above technique, you will get something like this:

http://ckng.clubsnap.org/portfolio/wedding/melvin_and_judith/f1010034_std.jpg

http://ckng.clubsnap.org/portfolio/wedding/melvin_and_judith/f1020005_std.jpg

Regards
CK

 

[Paladin]

Originally posted by George
Paladin:
There are too many variable that might cause the difference. Using bounce flash with reflector should be something like these:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=268

Distance, celling....etc might be the problem. And the reflector is suppose to give catch light to the subject.

Cheers!

the pics are good and warm...Mind to show me your reflector and at what degree bounce

 

[Paladin]

Originally posted by ckiang
Hi,

My personal tip for indoor flash.

1. Use 75?bounce, or even 90?if you are using a bounce card. Also, larger bounce card = softer lighting.

2. Meter the ambient lighting. Set the camera to manual mode, then set shutter speed to 1-2 stop underexposure. E.g. if ambient exposure is 1/15s at f/4, set your camera to 1/60s at f/4.

3. Shoot.

Using bounced flash without bounce card usually gives shadows under the chin, etc, which can look not-so-nice.

With the above technique, you will get something like this:

http://ckng.clubsnap.org/portfolio/wedding/melvin_and_judith/f1010034_std.jpg

http://ckng.clubsnap.org/portfolio/wedding/melvin_and_judith/f1020005_std.jpg

Regards
CK

From all the examples given...my bounce flash with reflector is wrong liao issit??

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by Paladin


From all the examples given...my bounce flash with reflector is wrong liao issit??

Not wrong, just need to experiment a bit more. Just remember 3 basic rules:

1. Combination of shutter + aperture affects ambient light exposure.
2. Shutter speed does not control flash exposure, only ambient light.
3. Aperture affects flash exposure (and ambient light exposure)

Once you have a good balance between flash exposure and ambient exposure, your pictures will come out very nicely. In some cases, it can even appear not to have any hint of flash in it.

Regards
CK