Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: Flash angle

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

Giving Thanks to All.
A little thanksgiving humor.

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Flash angle

garycox
User

Jul 5, 2005, 9:13 AM

Post #1 of 16 (1522 views)
Shortcut

Flash angle	Can't Post

I have a Canon 20D with the Canon Speedlite 550ex. I'm finding shots I take with the flash which are horizontal (flash on top) I do not get many shadows. However, shots that I take which are verticle where I rotate the camera vertical which also moves the flash to the side I'll get some shadows in the background opposite of the flash. So if I can keep the flash on the top of the lens no matter the lens position it appears I minimize the shadows.

It looks like what I need is a "flash rotator" where I can move the camera to various posisitions and keep the flash in a separate posisition. I've seen several but I can't make heads or tails on what is best. It looks like I need the bracket and a hotshoe extender cable.

Anyone have any suggestions?

One place I found was:
http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com

kcpopps
User

Jul 6, 2005, 12:19 AM

Post #2 of 16 (1490 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just bought a flash bracket on ebay for a good price - got it last week. It looks like it will be just fine... although I haven't had the chance to use it on a job yet. I feel like it was a bargain. There's a bunch more available. Click here
If that link doesn't work, and you want to look, just search this phrase on ebay - Pivot Flash Bracket for 35mm Camera - New

WLR
User

Jul 6, 2005, 12:34 AM

Post #3 of 16 (1486 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, I kinda noticed that too. And for some reason it looks worse in digital. ( ? ) Soooo what I've been doing is just shoot it horizontal and crop it vertical with APS. The image quality with the 20D is so good you won't notice any loss. If you have the flash on a separate bracket with no direct data connection to the camera I would think you loose some of the capabilities of the flash.

WLR

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

garycox
User

Jul 6, 2005, 8:44 AM

Post #4 of 16 (1470 views)
Shortcut

Re: [WLR] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

Definately a data connection to the camera to flash would have to be maintained and I've seen with the brackets an extender for the hotshoe to do that. My wife has been taking out the shadows in software after the fact. My belief is why fix it after the fact when you can take it right to begin with?

... Gary

kcpopps
User

Jul 6, 2005, 3:43 PM

Post #5 of 16 (1452 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did buy the Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 to go with that bracket. Gotta have that. Both items together cost me roughly $100 with shipping. I got the flash cord from Newegg for $46 but they don't have it now. B&H does though.

Jeko
Enthusiast

Jul 6, 2005, 6:34 PM

Post #6 of 16 (1443 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are you reflecting the flash off the ceiling, or pointing it directly at subject??

You may want to test the ceiling reflection for better diffusion (and hot spot elimination). Also, check into a Gary Fong Lightsphere attachement for improved diffusion. It is well worth the cost.

Lastly, pick up a speedlite 420 to remotely light the background (works of the 550 or 580).

Good luck!

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

garycox
User

Jul 7, 2005, 9:51 AM

Post #7 of 16 (1403 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jeko] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm pointing directly at the subject. I could try a ceiling bounce shot but with the ceiling being very high and the light low I'm thinking the subjects would turn out too dark? As for the speedlite 420, I actually have two of them that sync off of the 550ex and I've used for shots that I setup in a controled situation. However, in a wedding shoot I'm not sure I have the time to posisition them and of course, the ceremony itself would be a problem. They are infared controlled and even if I set them up in posisitions they could often be blocked in the line of site for control... However, some interesting ideas though for me to try!

Thanks... Gary

garycox
User

Jul 7, 2005, 10:11 AM

Post #8 of 16 (1402 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jeko] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

So where do you get a Gary Fong Lightsphere? B&H doesn't have it and I find lots of sites which have articles on it but I haven't found it anywhere yet... Gary

adtr
Veteran

Jul 7, 2005, 11:18 AM

Post #9 of 16 (1397 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=3354218&showprevnext=1

Colvin Eccleston
manchesterweddingstudio.co.uk

garycox
User

Jul 7, 2005, 11:37 AM

Post #10 of 16 (1393 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jeko] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've not used defusers before. I know it has to cut down on the light so do I have to comphensate for that by either increasing the shutter speed or the apature by 1 fstop? Also I know the 550ex speedlite on the Canon 20d is a pretty smart flash, does it automatically comphensate for me or can it?

Thanks... Gary

adtr
Veteran

Jul 7, 2005, 12:05 PM

Post #11 of 16 (1389 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

Check here-
http://digitalphotographers.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/28010732521/m/40210732521

Colvin Eccleston
manchesterweddingstudio.co.uk

garycox
User

Jul 7, 2005, 12:23 PM

Post #12 of 16 (1382 views)
Shortcut

Re: [adtr] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, I had seen that but it doesn't say exactly what I need to do, it had some information on "I obtained some good results by..." but not a "you will need to" sort of thing. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if I will need to be doing a lot of manual settings? I'm not sure I'm that I'm good enough for manual settings to do it fast enough and risk messing it up opposed to automatic settings or just one manual setting and stick with it. Often there isn't enough time for me to fool with getting manual settings...

What do you usually do?

... Gary

adtr
Veteran

Jul 7, 2005, 12:32 PM

Post #13 of 16 (1381 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

To be honest, I am not a flash shooter, if I can avoid it because I learned my lighting from video. Best to either post a message there for Gary, who does answer sometimes or try it and see what works for you. One thing I have to say is that I have never seen any bad reports on the ls2 so you won't be wasting money on it.

Colvin Eccleston
manchesterweddingstudio.co.uk

adtr
Veteran

Jul 7, 2005, 1:56 PM

Post #14 of 16 (1376 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

Check the tutorial pages on that link. It sounds like your camera should compensate by itself.

Colvin Eccleston
manchesterweddingstudio.co.uk

garycox
User

Jul 7, 2005, 3:27 PM

Post #15 of 16 (1371 views)
Shortcut

Re: [adtr] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also found this article about Canon flash units. It will certainly fill up your brain but it tells you all kinds of things including as you mentioned, the flash should automatically adjust for the defuser...

http://photonotes.org/...les/eos-flash/#aandb

... Gary

Vidiot Tech
Enthusiast

Jul 11, 2005, 1:13 PM

Post #16 of 16 (1323 views)
Shortcut

Re: [garycox] Flash angle [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've got an older version of the Pro-RL from Stroboframe:

http://www.tiffen.com/Stroboframe_ProRL_page.htm

that I used back in my still photo days. Mine has a pistol grip on the left with a cable release- I could focus with my right hand, trigger the cam with my left, then advance the film with my right again.

See http://www.tiffen.com/Stroboframe%20web%20catalog.htm

for an example of properly centered flash vs. off-center. Makes a BIG difference.

Steve

(This post was edited by Vidiot Tech on Jul 18, 2005, 12:30 PM)