Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding photographers often use a bounce flash to capture flattering shots in low-light conditions. This technique involves pointing the flash away from the subject so that the light bounces back gently, creating a soft and natural-looking light. When using a bounce flash, photographers must consider their environment, subjects, flash settings, and ambient lighting. This technique can be used in combination with additional off-camera flashes to add dimension to photos and capture instant reactions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flash angle | 45 degrees, 90 degrees, upwards, sideways, angled forwards |
| Flash power | Start with the lowest flash power in manual mode (1/128th) |
| Shutter speed | Fairly low, 1/200 or 1/250 |
| Aperture | F2-F2.8 |
| ISO | High |
| Lighting | Natural light, up-lighting, candlelight, hanging lights, fairy lights |
| Flashgun | Nikon SB-900, Nikon SB-910 |
| Flash technique | On-camera bounce flash, off-camera bounce flash, direct flash |
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What You'll Learn
Using on-camera flash to bounce light off walls or the ceiling
Bouncing flash is a technique where you fire your flashgun up or at an angle to bounce the light off a wall or ceiling. This is in contrast to standard flash, where you point the flashgun (or strobe) toward your subject. Bounce flash allows you to create soft, flattering light and an angled lighting effect while using a single flash mounted to your camera.
When using an on-camera flash, you can bounce the light off a wall or the ceiling to soften the light and create a more flattering look. This technique is often used in wedding photography to capture stunning photos without the harsh shadows and unpleasant lighting of direct flash.
To use on-camera flash effectively, consider the direction and quality of light. You want to bounce the light off a surface that is nearby, preferably white to avoid any colour cast on your subject. If you're in a large room with high ceilings, you might need to crank up the ISO and open up your aperture to get enough light.
You can also bounce the flash off a wall to the side or behind you, which creates a larger light source relative to your subject and gives you more control over the direction of the light. This can help you avoid unattractive shadows under the eyes and flat lighting.
One tip is to crop out the wall or ceiling you're using as a bounce surface so that you don't end up with a bright wall in your photo. Also, remember to take a test shot and adjust your flash power, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed until you get the exposure you want.
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How to bounce flash in large rooms
Bouncing flash in large rooms can be challenging, but with the right techniques and equipment, you can achieve great results. Here are some tips to help you bounce flash effectively in large rooms:
When shooting in large rooms, it's important to consider the height of the ceiling and the distance between your flash and the subject. As a general rule, the closer you are to a wall or ceiling, the smaller your light source will be. In large rooms with high ceilings, firing your flash towards the ceiling can give you an extra step of light, allowing you to reduce your ISO settings or shutter speed. This technique can help you avoid underexposed photos while also reducing the impact of eye shadows, which can be a problem when most of the light comes from above.
In large rooms, you may also need to increase your flash's power to ensure sufficient light coverage. This can be done by cranking up the ISO and opening up your aperture. While increasing the FEC (flash exposure compensation) may also be necessary, it's recommended to adjust this setting to taste. Additionally, using a bounce card or reflector can help you direct and concentrate the light more effectively, creating a tighter, more confined bounce light.
When bouncing flash in large rooms, it's essential to consider the colour and reflectiveness of the walls and ceiling. Dark-coloured or non-reflective surfaces may absorb too much light, making it challenging to bounce your flash effectively. In such cases, you may need to use additional lighting equipment, such as off-camera flashes or light stands, to illuminate the scene adequately.
In some cases, you may find that the back wall reflects too much light, resulting in flat-looking photos with no separation between the subject and the wall. To address this issue, try to use the walls as your primary bounce source, and ensure you shoot in RAW format to capture as much detail as possible. Additionally, a black foamie thing can help you direct the light more precisely, preventing excessive light reflection from the back wall.
Finally, when bouncing flash in large rooms, be mindful of the ambient light available. If there is not enough ambient light, you may need to request additional lighting from the room technician. By balancing the ambient light with your flash settings, you can create more flattering photographs, even with a bare flash.
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Using off-camera flash for creative shots
Using off-camera flash can be a great way to get creative and produce unique shots at a wedding. One way to do this is by using a two-light backlit setup with blue gel on the background. First, find an interesting background with some kind of lighting, such as the front of the venue or a place with an interesting structure. Next, position the couple so that they are part of the environment, allowing for a full-length shot that still captures the background.
Another creative way to use off-camera flash is to create dramatic portraits of the groom. Start by adjusting the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture until the photo is dark, then bring in the flash. Position the flash at a 45-degree angle, relatively close to the subject, to keep the light from spreading too far. Focus mostly on the subject's face to create a dramatic, spotlight effect.
For creative shots of the couple, take them away from the action once it gets dark. Find an interesting background and position the couple so they are part of the environment. Use a two-light setup, with one light aimed at the couple to make them stand out and the other aimed at the background to showcase its structure. To get artsy, use a coloured gel on the backlight and remove the front light to create a silhouette.
When shooting details such as rings, dresses, flowers, or shoes, a simple setup with one flash at a 45-degree angle to the subject can create dramatic photos. Using a MagGrid can help to control the light and create more dramatic images. It is also recommended to take some shots with natural light or a bounce flash in case the couple prefers a more subtle effect.
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Combining bounce flash with off-camera flash
When it comes to wedding receptions and events, there are a few things to consider when combining bounce flash with off-camera flash. Firstly, the environment plays a crucial role. If you're in a large room with high ceilings or walls far behind you, you might need to crank up the ISO and increase the flash exposure compensation (FEC) to ensure enough light reaches your subject. This can be the case when using bounce flash in wedding receptions, where the photographer might be standing some distance away from the couple and guests.
In such situations, using off-camera flash can be beneficial as it provides more control over the lighting setup. You can place the off-camera flash closer to the subject, reducing the need to crank up the ISO and FEC as mentioned earlier. This also allows for more precise lighting, ensuring that the light falls evenly on the subjects without having to rely on bouncing the flash off distant walls or ceilings.
Another advantage of combining bounce flash with off-camera flash is the ability to create a softer and more flattering light. By bouncing the flash off a wall or ceiling, you can achieve a similar effect to using a softbox in a studio setting. This indirect lighting results in softer shadows and a more three-dimensional look, especially when combined with off-camera flash to fill in any potential shadows.
Additionally, combining bounce flash with off-camera flash allows for more creative lighting options. For example, you can use the off-camera flash to create a rim light or backlight, adding depth and dimension to your images. This can be particularly effective for wedding receptions, where you can use the off-camera flash to highlight the couple while using bounce flash to illuminate the surrounding area.
However, there are also challenges to consider when combining these techniques. One issue is the potential for red-eye in your photos, which can occur when the flash bounces off a surface and back into the camera lens. To avoid this, make sure the flash is angled appropriately and use a flash diffuser if needed. Additionally, be mindful of the colour of the walls or ceiling you're bouncing the flash off, as this can affect the colour temperature of your lighting.
In conclusion, combining bounce flash with off-camera flash in wedding receptions and events can provide more control over lighting, create softer and more flattering light, and enable creative lighting options. However, photographers should also be aware of potential challenges such as red-eye and colour temperature issues, ensuring that they adjust their flash settings accordingly.
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How to balance flash power with ambient light
Wedding receptions are often lit to be dark and moody, so photographers need to use flash to add light to their scenes. The ideal camera settings for wedding receptions depend on the available ambient light and the power of your camera.
To balance flash power with ambient light, you can adjust your shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. In low-light situations, a shutter speed of 1/125th to 1/200th of a second is recommended. For the ISO, use a setting between 800 and 6400, depending on the amount of available light and your camera's low-light performance. For the aperture, opt for the widest aperture your lens allows, ideally f/2.8 or lower.
If you're using on-camera flash, you can bounce the flash off the ceiling to light the room. This works well in venues with low white ceilings but may not be effective with dark or painted ceilings. In such cases, you can bounce your flash off walls or other objects.
To balance the colour temperature of your flash with the ambient light, use a CTO gel with your on-camera and off-camera flashes to match the tungsten lighting commonly used in wedding reception ballrooms. Alternatively, dial in a Custom Colour Temperature setting in-camera to balance the light in your scene.
When using flash, it's important to consider the mood of the event and avoid destroying the atmosphere with additional lighting. Assess the room and place your lights accordingly. For example, you can use off-camera flashes as pinned spotlights for your subjects during toasts or grand entrances.
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Frequently asked questions
The main challenge is getting consistent good pictures under low light conditions. Wedding photographers either switch to high ISO settings or use flash to bounce off the roof to light the room.
Start with the flash sync speed of the camera, which is generally 1/200 or 1/250. The aperture can be anywhere between F2-F2.8. Keep a fast shutter speed and low ISO while getting the settings for ambient light. Use the lowest flash power in manual mode and don't change the shutter speed or ISO settings.
A flashgun, such as a speedlight, is required to bounce flash. Nikon's SB-900/SB-910 speedlights can swivel at all angles, allowing for more flexibility. A diffuser can also be used, such as the Sto-Fen Omni Bounce or Vello Bounce Dome Diffusers.
Be mindful of the colour of the surface you're bouncing the flash off, as it can cast a colour on the subject. If there is a window in the room, use a slower shutter speed to capture the view outside. When shooting the first dance, use two lights: a kicker light (bare bulb at a 90-degree angle) and a side light for directional fill.
