Does anyone have any tips for taking flash lit photos in the dark? Is there any way to get good diffuse light in such a harsh situation with only a single flash?
To create softer shadows, you must make the light source much larger than the tiny flash head. Some methods of doing this:
- Bounce the light off the walls or ceiling.
- Shoot through an umbrella (creating a larger light source)
- Use something like a LightSphere (smaller, easier to carry, creates a larger light source)
I also suggest that you move the flash off camera so that you get nice side lighting instead of direct on flash (which produces flat images).
Edit: accidentally wrote "software shadows" when I meant "softer shadows". (perhaps this gives a clue as to what my daytime profession is!)
Thanks. I should have been more specific. I'll be outdoors with nothing to bounce off of, and I'll be moving around frequently. Its an outdoor winter festival.
Thanks. I should have been more specific. I'll be outdoors with nothing to bounce off of, and I'll be moving around frequently. Its an outdoor winter festival.
Of the 3 ideas I mentioned, only the first one requires that you be indoors. Here's where you can get the Lightsphere. That's probably your best choice for portability and being on the move.
I bounce off a 48 inch collapsible reflector, if I find myself in a situation where setting up an umbrellas is impractical, such as this shot outside an upscale restaurant.
[thumb]618727[/thumb]
I'm holding the flash via wireless trigger in my left hand and having an assistant hold the reflector.
Just want to add that outdoors, the Lightsphere is going to be very inefficient and really not increase the size of lightsource very much at all. A Lumiquest softbox or Lumiquest Pro Max System is a much better alternative for on-camera flash.
Just want to add that outdoors, the Lightsphere is going to be very inefficient and really not increase the size of lightsource very much at all. A Lumiquest softbox or Lumiquest Pro Max System is a much better alternative for on-camera flash.
Yeah, you're probably right. I was rather hesitant recommending the LS for outdoor use as it really works best with walls and ceilings to help bounce the light around. Thanks for pointing that out.
I made myself a bouncer which works great for a fraction of the price you'll pay for other products mentioned here. I made mine for under $3 if I remember right. I can't find the link to the exact method I used but this one is close. I used the design lower on the page with foam sheets and velcro. Easy and works nicely.
//super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/
