Using a flash for vertical pics - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/04/2004 12:15:46 PM · #1

I have a Sony 717 and an HVL F-1000 flash. Any suggestions (other than removing and hand holding the flash) for using that flash for vertical shots? The room I will be shooting in is quite large (like a gymnasium almost...multi-purpose room at church).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

09/04/2004 12:26:47 PM · #2

do you have a flash that rotates? if so, point it towards the ceiling at and angle if the subject is pretty far away, set your iso pretty high (800 maybe) and set your camera on manual mode (like 1/60 f4 or 5.6) this is pretty vague, but it should get you started.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/04/2004 12:46:27 PM · #3

Get a flash bracket like the Stroboframe flip.

overclover

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

09/04/2004 12:49:00 PM · #4

oh so very tempted

09/04/2004 12:49:28 PM · #5

Originally posted by ericlimon:

The head of the flash will move so that I can bounce directly off the ceiling or degrees in-between. The trouble is that when I turn the camera sideways for vertical shots, any bounce is totally out of the question because the flash simply points away (to the right) of the subject. If I had the flash set for full bounce when it's sitting on top of the camera (the flash would be straight up), then when I rotate the camera, the flash is pointing directly to my right.

I can leave in on the camera and not have it bounce at all, but turning it sideways still gives a bad angle for shadows - especially since I can't bounce it at all.

My solution so far has been to remove the flash from the shoe (it "talks" to the camera through a cord attachment...the shoe is just to hold it - at least I think so!), and hold the flash in my left hand and the camera in my right hand. It's very awkward, and it also makes it about impossible to use the zoom at all.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/04/2004 12:51:14 PM · #6

Originally posted by doctornick:

Get a flash bracket like the Stroboframe flip.

I figured something like that would be available, but probably not before tonight. :( It's something to save towards for future use, however, as this is not the first time I've encountered this issue.

SamT

Canon EOS-20D

09/04/2004 01:00:55 PM · #7

You would be able to do better if you used a tripod with a rotating head, then your hands would be free.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

09/04/2004 01:12:15 PM · #8

Bounce flash in a large room like this will not work. If you are not going to be photographing people who are particularly close to a wall or something, it won't matter. Turning the camera vertical will work fine. The problem comes in when there is a background where a shadow may be cast to the left or right by turning the camera vertical.

09/04/2004 01:15:13 PM · #9

Originally posted by SamT:

You would be able to do better if you used a tripod with a rotating head, then your hands would be free.

That still wouldn't solve the flash problem, and the rotation would still be the same whether I was holding it or the tripod was holding it. Well...I guess it would allow me to hand hold the flash and let the tripod hold the camera. So that's a possibility for a quick fix.

My trouble with that for tonight is that my husband has the tripod for the video camera (which is already set up) because I told him I'd be okay without it.

However...I did discover that the "shoe" on my flash bracket will turn, so that opens up some possibilities. I will have to test the lighting at the location tonight and see if it will work okay, because the flash would still be pointing up for a bounce (which is what I want), but the sensor would then be also facing the ceiling instead of the subject. Hand holding them both was okay as far as picture quality, but was awkward and if I can avoid it, it would be better.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

09/04/2004 01:19:19 PM · #10

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I tested it last night, and the bounce did work much nicer than the straight-on flash. It's a large room, but perhaps not so large that this does not work. The problem you describe regarding the shadows is exactly the problem I experiences when simply turning the unit.

The people will be about 12 - 15 feet away from a background wall, which is mostly white. There are things in from of it (an altar, plants, etc.), but the shadows are too harsh for my liking.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

09/04/2004 01:20:44 PM · #11

Judy,

You can get flash brackets that allow you to rotate the camera without rotating the flash. I didn't have much of a look, because they're quite expensive for a piece of metal ($50 and well above), but it may be what you want.

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/04/2004 01:45:40 PM · #12

What's up with these comments? I seen another one of your comments like this in "Masters' Challenge - Explanations and Answers" thread.

Originally posted by overclover:

oh so very tempted

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/04/2004 01:50:30 PM · #13

This is also good to help keep the flash from being so bright on the subjects

I have one and really like it for taking shots in a gyn or dance studio.

Message edited by author 2004-09-04 13:51:03.