 Chris Gentile |
External Flash Bounce/Diffusion I use a Nikon SB800 flash unit for weddings. When I have something to bounce the flash off of (ceiling, wall, etc.), I've had very nice results with soft lighting. However, I've had a hard time preventing harsh shadows when I use direct flash. I've been using a Stofen Omni bounce to diffuse the light, but that doesn't seem to do the trick. Everyone seems to use Gary Fong's Light Sphere, but I"ve even heard that doesn't work very well when there's no ceiling to bounce. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.
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Jon Close |
The OmniBounce and Lightsphere both depend on having ceilings/walls to bounce light. Without that, both will give softer light on your subject, but the light will still be direct from a relatively small source and so will cause shadows. Same for Lumiquest's diffuser/bouncers. Short of setting up multiple lights, or an assistant holding a large reflector to bounce your flash, I think the most you can do is: (a) mount the flash on a bracket so that shadows are below your subject rather than outlining them, and (b) keep your subjects away from any wall/backdrop where the shadow would fall.
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Ronald Ponkey |
I had the same problem and went to my Vivitar 283 set on Yellow with a white diffuser which fits over the flash head. The shadows disappered! The pictures look great...at other times I use a Quantum - bulb flash. By the way I shoot Medium Format and some digital for Photojournalism. I will always shoot film until film is not made any more...I REFUSE TO BE A JC PENNEY KIDDIE KANDID PHOTOGRAPHER! My clients want film, film is superior to digital and the labs tell me most digital jobs require extensive work since the Photographers shoot the wedding wrong. Gary Fong is a joke, he has clients who pay close to a $100,000 for a wedding so he can boast about his techniques to other Photographers who do not have those clients. Since the digital era has started there are good points and horrible points....we use digital mainly for Post Production...I LOVE FILM...IT IS THE BEST!!!!!
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Pamela Hodgdon |
I now use Gary Fong spheres for weddings and events with my Nikons SB800 and SB600, I've been so pleased with them that I haven't had to use my bracket. For weddings, I shoot on aperature priority and haven't had to worry about bouncing my flash off walls or ceiling with the spheres. Granted, I've only been shooting weddings for two years now and they are low key affairs for now - but, the spheres free me to concentrate on other things going on. I don't have a problems with flash face and my photoshop editing has been extremely minimal.
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- Craig Flamme Contact Craig Flamme Craig Flamme's Gallery |
Just used Gary Fong's Photojournalist (PJ) attachment on a wedding I shot with my business partner last month. Even with high ceilings in the room the PJ attachment worked just wonderfully. It looked like we lit up the whole room with strobes. The client was very happy and said our images were better than any other photographer they interviewed for their wedding. The PJ was also awesome for the ceremony as it was held outside. I highly recommend the PJ!!
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LightAnon.com - Steve Parrott Contact Steve Parrott Steve Parrott's Gallery |
Good grief Ronald P. .... fine, you love film. The fact that I use a very high end 1Ds digital does not make me a JC PENNEY KIDDIE KANDID PHOTOGRAPHER. I do feel there are way too many people out there with digital point and shoots, or even SLRs that "think" they are photographers, and the results show it. The capture medium is not really the issue. A good photo is the result of the photographer's skill and vision. Digital or film is just mainly a matter of preference. There is a place for film and a place for digital. There is no ONE best for all situations. Ok.. to answer the original question. I do not care for Gary Fong as a person. He is way too absorbed in all his money and I think is just simply not a very nice person. I have met with him in person briefly, and been to his seminar, and it all just reinforced my opinion. That being said, he has to be doing SOMETHING right... he is a multi millionaire.... and I'm sure NOT. I DO use his Lightsphere and I think it is GREAT. Just be sure to use the newest sphere with the inverted dome that fits on the top. Just shoot with the lid always in place, and you ALWAYS have something to bounce from. Inside or out, the sphere with the lid in place is a self contained "room" to bounce light from. Also be sure and use the "cloud" sphere. The lighting is softer. In vertical photos, rotate the flash head to keep the sphere pointed up. There will still be some shadow, but very, very slight, and very soft. I much prefer it to using a heavy, bulky flash bracket. Even with a bracket you will still have harsh light without some type of diffuser over the flash. Just use the Fong sphere correctly and results are great. Steve
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Scott |
My daughter was recently married and the photographer used a diffuser called "The Shell." He told me it could be had at B&H Photo. It has been a while, but I remember it being reasonably priced. I'm still a learner, but the picts he took looked great. Anyone ever use The Shell, and what do you think? Scott
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Roy A. Meeks |
I use a Nikon D70 and D70s for weddings but I use a JoeDemb diffuser on my SB800 and do not have to be concerned about the ceilings because of the configuration of the reflecter and diffuser. In fact I use it on a bright sunny day as a flash fill. I do not like the shell because it tends to give a harsh shadow to the opposite side and the Gary Fong throws so much light out the back that is wasted unless you have a wall close behind you
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Scott |
Thanks for the response Roy. As I said, I'm a newbie and would like to buy a diffuser. I have read so many articles that I'm totally confused! For instance you mentioned Joe Demb. I looked at his product and also Lumiquest. Essentially, aren't they the same? Other than simple design differences, I can't see the difference. Am I over-simplyfing it? Did I "miss the boat" on the whole thing? Anybody, help!
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Larry |
Jon, I tried all kinds of things so that my pics showed a soft light. I also had trouble with red-eye. One day a photographer friend of mine showed me a neat little trick that I've used ever since. I rubber- band a 3x5 white card to the flash head, point the flash head straight up and VOILA. Problem solved. Minor adjustments such as bending the 3x5 card down a little or clicking the flash head lower (for distance) does the trick. You just learn as you go along. I get many compliments on my pics from any type of function.
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W. |
Chris, you may want to use a bounce card. Here's a D-I-Y how-to for an SB 600, but you can probably apply it to the SB 800 too: http://swannman.wordpress.com/2006/05/29/howto-diy-flash-diffuser/ And here's a video laying it out for you: Have fun.
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Chris Gentile |
This has turned into a nice thread, thanks to everyone for their input. I think I"ll have to look more into Joe Demb's and Gary Fong's equipment and choose betweent the two. -Chris
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Andrea Hillis |
Why chooose, lol, I have both. I have to say for indoors, I absolutely love Gary Fong's LSII Cloud, and use it more than the flip-it, but I do use it as well...depending on conditions. A.
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Ronald Ponkey |
I started in with some digital last November although Medium Format Film with my studio until film is no longer made anymore. But I did purchase an Olympus 20e digital camera for a starter. I have at times not had a lot of luck using the P, A or S modes but then I have always been a Manual Photographer. I tried this week shooting an Engagement on Manual and wow the images looked great...now I think I am starting to go in the right direction for learning Digital. I cannot wait to learn more...and be a better professional Photographer!
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