 BetterPhoto Member |
Best Flash for Wedding Photography What flash do you recommend for a Digital Rebel when shooting weddings? Also, what kind of filters do you use to create a soft light effect?
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Doug Elliott |
Julie, If you truly want professional results, I would like to suggest the Canon 550EX. In addition, I would like to suggest a frame to mount your flash above your camera, and a connecting cord {Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2, 60cm (2ft.), TTL Off-Camera Flash Cable for All EOS Cameras}, and a rechargeable battery pack for the flash. The battery pack will allow more flashes than AA batteries, and it will re-cycle the flash quicker. The reason for the bracket is to get your flash up off the camera. This will eliminate most of the red eye that occurs when using the built-in flash. The bracket also helps when carrying your camera. I've used a Stroboframe for over twenty years. Another idea you might want to try is using a light stand next to your camera. You can set your flash upon the stand and use it to get a higher angle for the flash; this will allow you to place the shadow down and behind the people. I use a small ball (I use a Bogan Mini 482) to be able to tilt the flash where I need its light. I hope these ideas are helpful. Good shooting and Happy New Year. Doug
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Steve A. Solomon |
Hi Julie. If you cannot place your flash off-camera, for very good results, I would suggest a "LightSphere II" from Gary Fong's website. (A Google search on either "Gary Fong photographer" or "LightSphere II" should point you to it.) This is a simple small plastic dome diffuser that snaps onto certain electronic flashes, that effectively softens the flash exposure. It makes for a more pleasing and professional "look" to the photograph when you don't have harsh shadows and high contrast in the image. Good luck! ~Steve www.totalqualityphoto.com
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Maria Melnyk |
Good answer by Doug, but it is important to state that the other and perhaps more important reason for using a flash bracket is to eliminate those ugly side shadows that scream "Amateur!" Not to mention that the camera itself looks amateurish without a bracket, unless you're shooting with available light only. And you'll need that Off-Camera shoe cord to connect the flash to the camera. Both together will cost you about $120, but they're an absolute necessity when shooting weddings. The cords do break every now and then at the base when supporting a heavy flash unit, so you'll need a spare. (And that goes for every piece of equipment you have when shooting weddings; don't do them unless you have backups of all your equipment, including that flash.) To soften the light use either a dome diffuser as mentioned above or a rectangular one, or else use a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer with your flash pointed strait up into it. But don't use it for large group photos. Any flash diffuser will cut down on the range (reach) of the flash. With auto or TTL flash you'll still get correct exposure, except you won't be able to stand very far away.
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C. Patrick Douglas |
The 550EX is great but the newer version the 580EX is what I would recommend! Happy shooting and good luck! Patrick Douglas
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Aravinda Subasinghe |
you can use all that if you really want!!! but I have used a simple 420ex flash for all my weddings with out a problem. if you can control your light and make quick decision on the bouncing and diffusing on the flash you will be fine with a 420ex. shadows need to be thought carefully but becasue yours is digital most things can be fixed on PS. Dont stress to much stay on the ball and focused. and keep it simple
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