Flash bracket vs. no flash bracket
Kevin CTMP
Registered Users Posts: 81 Big grins
Does anyone here know any alternatives to using a flash bracket?
I know how important it is to have the flash be on top, but I absolutely hate using a bracket. they're bulky, annoying, and take up lots of space in my bag. plus, I use a camera-flip style model and it never seems to work quite right, It always ends up wanting to flip on me when I don't want it too...I've also tried using the flash-flip style, but it just feels much to awkward for me and I end up missing shots while fumbling with it.
I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck at weddings NOT using a bracket. I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere which some say can be used in lieu of a bracket, but I've never tried it. I also usually try to bounce of of somthing other than the ceiling, which helps with my shadows. I went to a David Ziser seminar and he talked briefly about how he doesn't use one. But he also has and assistant who holds a reflector whereas I fly solo. someone also told me one time that if your not shooting with a bracket it could cause you to look un-professional to some.
any info would be much appreciated
I know how important it is to have the flash be on top, but I absolutely hate using a bracket. they're bulky, annoying, and take up lots of space in my bag. plus, I use a camera-flip style model and it never seems to work quite right, It always ends up wanting to flip on me when I don't want it too...I've also tried using the flash-flip style, but it just feels much to awkward for me and I end up missing shots while fumbling with it.
I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck at weddings NOT using a bracket. I have a Gary Fong Lightsphere which some say can be used in lieu of a bracket, but I've never tried it. I also usually try to bounce of of somthing other than the ceiling, which helps with my shadows. I went to a David Ziser seminar and he talked briefly about how he doesn't use one. But he also has and assistant who holds a reflector whereas I fly solo. someone also told me one time that if your not shooting with a bracket it could cause you to look un-professional to some.
any info would be much appreciated
0
Comments
I don't use one though I have considered one. You seem to be under the impression that you "need" one but the only compelling reason imo to get one is to avoid side shadows. I have shot plenty of parties and such with out one using a fong sphere or straight bounce. I have also looked through a few thousand of my own shots to specifically look for objectionable side shadows when I was considering a bracket. I found a couple of dozen. Of those, 1/3 of them were so slight that they didn't bother me. The rest were bothersome..some very bothersome. Some were bothersome but were tossers for other reasons. So in the end there were maybe 10 shots out of say 3k that were good or great otherwise but were ruined by side shadows.
In my calculus this was an acceptable ratio not to use one.
Your shooting style or risk assessment maybe different but that is how I made my decision.
I don't think that shooitng with out a bracket will make you look "unprofessional" though.
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
You strap the flipit to the flash sideways like in the picture here.
http://www.biggstudios.com/Other/Equipment/8204173_SYFed#807370852_MVKMd-A-LB
Then when you turn your camera to the side, you bend the flash 90 degrees.
The new joe demb will work the same, but adds a little more bulk. This old style lets me pack my flash into my domke bag without removing the reflector.
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
I have looked into the flip-its before....i ended up settling on a lightsphere though...I'll also sometime use the lightsphere along with the small catchlight thats on the 580ex. do you think I could get the same results with the lighsphere? or would a flip-it have a better result in lieu of the bracket
Ditto! and you can vary the amount of flash bounce and flash forward as desired, quickly changing to more or less of one or the other as needed~
Yes, the flippit has that fastest method possible to adjust the amount of flash hitting the subject. Just fold forward or back some. You would be suprised how little of a bend can adjust a full stop.
The light sphere is also a great tool from what I read however I didn't get it for 2 reasons. 1. I like to pack lots in as little of a space as possible. 2. Another pro told be the weight from the sphere eventually broke the foot off his flash. I've not heard anyone else with that problem but I have also heard that it will wear out the joint lock on the flash head.
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
note the flippit will still have the same issues with side shadows in portrait mode. Only way to truly get rid of side shadows is a bracket, pure bounce with no light going forward, shoot in landcape mode, or always shoot subject far away from walls.
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
This link specifically will help you achieve what you are after. I attended one of Neil's workshops, and can attest that you can successfully achieve great results with your flash on-camera.
Here are some of my shots from said workshop.
Hope that helps...