 Shelley Toler |
Vertical Shots Using Flash When shooting events indoors, I tilt the head of my SB-800 and use the built-in bounce card to achieve very effective lighting. But when I move to a vertical shot, horrible shadows are created. How should the flash head be positioned for verticals? Thanks!
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Kerry L. Walker |
There are a couple of ways to eliminate these shadows. First, you need to understand that when you shoot in the horizontal position, the flash is above the axis of the lens and the shadows fall behind the subject where you can't see them. When you go vertical, the flash rotates to the left (or right, depending on which way you turn the camera) of the axis of the lens so the shadows will fall to the opposite side of the flash. You can either rotate the flash head up and bounce it off the ceiling (if it is white and low enough) or get a rotating bracket which will allow you to rotate the flash (or camera, depending on which bracket you shoose) so the flash stays above the camera.
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William Schuette |
Hi Shelly, Another very effective way to correct this is the Gary Fong lightsphere, a round diffuser that will fit on your SB-800 and allow you to use it in either a landscape or vertical orientation. Bill
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W. |
The Lightsphere's trade-off is that it cuts your flash's effective range and your DoF dramatically. Kelly, another way to handle this is to use your SB800 off-camera, in your left hand, with which you hold it over your head, pointing at the subject while you press the exposure button. And you will retain the SB800's full range and DoF capability...! Have fun!
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- Greg McCroskery Contact Greg McCroskery Greg McCroskery's Gallery |
Shelley, Try doing a web search for a site called "Better Bounce Card". It will show a short video by a fellow who shows how to make an inexpensive reflector out of materials you can get at a craft store (e.g. Hobby Lobby). They are easy to make and you will see in the video how they minimize shadows -- much more effectively than Gary Fong's 'Lightsphere'. I use them all the time for weddings and events, and every pro friend I've shown this to has started using one. Give it a try! God Bless,
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- Greg McCroskery Contact Greg McCroskery Greg McCroskery's Gallery |
Try doing a web search for a site called "Better Bounce Card". It will show a short video by a fellow who shows how to make an inexpensive reflector out of materials you can get at a craft store (e.g. Hobby Lobby). They are easy to make and you will see in the video how they minimize shadows -- much more effectively than Gary Fong's 'Lightsphere'. I use them all the time for weddings and events, and every pro friend I've shown this to has started using one. Give it a try! God Bless,
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