 Barbara Helgason |
Can a flash bracket move my flash from above to Can a flash bracket move my speedlite flash (attached to a sync cord) of to the side of my camera? From what I've read is that flash brackets are mainly for the purpose of reducing red eye by moving the flash higher up above the camera in both landscape and portrait orientation. Is it possible to use the bracket to move the flash up and off to the side? Thanks.
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BetterPhoto Member |
Some flash brackets come with adjustable arms so that you can move the flash from above on a landscape oriented photograph to beside. I have a cheapy metal bracket that can do that. Look around and you will find something that suits your needs. Ask your local photo supply store for advice. Not the Walmart type one hour finish retailer. A camera-dedicated shop.
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Barbara Helgason |
Thanks Christopher, I am definitely going to look into that.
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Kerry L. Walker |
Stroboframe makes a nice bracket that allows you to keep the flash above the lens or to the side, whichever you choose. I would think you would want to keep it above the lens to eliminate side shadows, which is what the flip bracket allows you to do. Check at B&H or Adorama. The price is about the same at either but B&H is a little cheaper on shipping.
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Barbara Helgason |
Thanks Kerry, but for candid portraits isn't it nicer to have the flash a little off to the side of the camera. I've been reading that straight on flash creates flat portrait without any depth.
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Kerry L. Walker |
Yes, but if you use only one light, you are going to have some ugly shadows. If you have the flash on a bracket off to the side, it need to be the fill light, at about half the power of your main light, which would be, preferably, on a light stand off to the other side (at about a 45 degree angle and pointing down toward the subject). The main light will thus create one set of shadows which will be offset a little by the fill light. If you are going to use only one light, tkae the flat lighting over the shadows any day.
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Barbara Helgason |
What if I were to use the flash on a bracket off to the side of the camera as the main light, and a reflector on the other side as the fill? And if the subject is far enough away from the background wouldn't that eliminate shadows? I don't know, just trying to get a little more creative with what I've got and trying to figure out the cheapest way for portrait lighting using the speedlite I already have in some way. Another option would be to invest in one strobe and like you said use the flash on a bracket off to the side as a fill. I hadn't considered that option before. Thanks for your help with this Kerry.
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Kerry L. Walker |
Bringing the subject away from the wall will help on the shadows behind the subject and the reflector will help on the side shadows but, if you use a reflector, I would recommend using a longer sync cord and setting the light up on a light stand (or have someone hold it up) so it will be a little further off to the side enabling the reflector to do its job.
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Barbara Helgason |
Thanks Kerry, I called the local camera store and I can get a 1 metre sync cord for my speedlite. I am going to take a look.
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