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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
recommendations for flash bracket?

Jenn M
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Jul 11, 2006, 11:47 PM

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recommendations for flash bracket?	Can't Post

Shooting w/ the Canon 30D and 580EX. Any recommendations for flash bracket would be appreciated.

RustyB
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Jul 12, 2006, 12:38 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Does it really need one? I see many photogs using them, but I'm trying to think of situations at a wedding where they're actually effective. It seems like most wedding shots would be bounced or diffused enough to not be a problem? For occasions where a bounced-camera-mounted flash is insufficient, I'm thinking I'll carry a flash pole for more light.

We'll see I guess. I'm getting as much practice as I can without one, and so far, it's not been a problem. I've got 4 flashes, and the only one that looks terrible is the cheapo non-bounce one that came free with a POS camera I bought off eBay. Laugh

I simply came to hate bracketry, and am trying not to get caught up in buying stuff just because I think everyone else is using something, like so many seem to do with video. (Me included.) They're clunky, awkward, and silly looking. I was going to start a webpage of goofy flash brackets, and was collecting frame grabs of brackets in action, from my wedding videos. I figured it might get me in trouble, so I never did it. Sly

Anyways, I'm going to go without a bracket, until I'm convinced by my own experience, that I absolutely need one.

Good luck!

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Scott Brooks
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Jul 12, 2006, 3:09 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

joedembphotography.com/flipit/

No flash bracket for me. I love this thing.

Jenn M
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Jul 12, 2006, 12:09 PM

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Re: [Sparky] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I checked that out when you posted it before. Looks interesting. I also like the OmniBounce, but it looks kind of obtrusive... or at least, not very inconspicuous.

But what about the shadow when you shoot vertical?

Postal Boy
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Jul 12, 2006, 12:32 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

With the resolution of the 30d, do you really need to shoot vertical ever? I mean, at 8.2 megapixels you can just crop it in post Cool

(This post was edited by Postal Boy on Jul 12, 2006, 12:33 PM)

Toogy
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Jul 12, 2006, 2:20 PM

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Re: [Postal Boy] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I used a Custom Brackets Flash bracket last year and earlier this year. But I haven't used it for my last 5 or 6 weddings and LOVE not using it. Sure I might get the odd shot with some side flash, but I just try and bounce the flash differently or shoot it horizontally. I just carry two cameras, one with a standard zoom, the other with a tele zoom, both with flashes on their hotshoes and that is all. Everything else stays in the car.
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Scott Brooks
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Jul 13, 2006, 1:55 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Jenn ... when you talk about the Omnibounce ... that's the Stofen. Are you sure that's what you're referencing? It's very inconspicuous. It's only about two by three inches and fits over the flash. I have one as well and actually cut a hole in the top to let more light out.

When you're speaking of vertical shots and shawdow ... I wasn't sure if you were talking about the Stofen or the Flip-It.

Scott Brooks
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Jul 13, 2006, 2:32 AM

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Re: [Postal Boy] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

With the resolution of the 30d, do you really need to shoot vertical ever? I mean, at 8.2 megapixels you can just crop it in post Cool

There are a great number of photographers who live to shoot verticals. But I was also surprised in one discussion how many of them just said they almost never shot vertical ... about 90% horizontal. And many of them gave the same reason as yourself ... it gave them the opportunity to use the photo as a horizontal image OR crop it to a vertical.

I've been trying to do this more. My last wedding I was probably only able to do it successfuly during the processional ... and it worked.

This weekend is an outdoor wedding (30% chance of rain). I'm going to try and do even more.

Postal Boy
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Jul 13, 2006, 8:56 AM

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Re: [Sparky] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sparky,

You are trying to do which more? Shoot vertical, or frame it so it can be cropped vertical?

-Postal

Scott Brooks
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Jul 13, 2006, 12:05 PM

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Re: [Postal Boy] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Sparky,

You are trying to do which more? Shoot vertical, or frame it so it can be cropped vertical?

-Postal

I'm trying to shoot more in horizontal.

For things that I know for sure that I'll crop, like the processional, it worked out fine for me. Actually, I thought it gave me a bit more lattitude than had I shot it vertical.

This weekend the b&g are seeing each other prior to the ceremony and we're doing a lot of shots around the U of I campus ... then the ceremony is outside. I'm sure I'll still shoot a fair amount of verticals for the pre-ceremony stuff, but the ceremony and reception I'll probably go with at least 90% horizontal.

Jenn M
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Jul 13, 2006, 12:20 PM

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Re: [Sparky] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

No, I'm a big dummy. I meant the Lumiquest. Sorry. I'm acutally getting an Omnibouce, so I had Omnibounce on the brain. Interesting idea - cutting the hole in it - I think I've read that before when you posted it.

Do you use that simultaneously with the Flip-It?

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Jul 13, 2006, 12:21 PM)

Jenn M
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Jul 13, 2006, 12:24 PM

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But considering I'm looking to do as little in post (at least to start), I would rather have the proofs be as presentable out of the box as possible. Does this make sense?

Scott Brooks
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Jul 13, 2006, 12:38 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] recommendations for flash bracket? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Two things ... first of all I use the flip-it and I have the stofen on my daughter's camera. They cannot be used at the same time.

As for verticals ... I would say if you know you want it vertical then shoot it that way to begin with. I don't crop ANY image unless it's been ordered by a client or I'm putting it in an album.

Right now I don't offer proofs ... just a proof magazine. When a customer orders a photo they'll specify what size and that's when I do my cropping.