Franklin Dean
Wedding photographers use flash to illuminate their photographs, especially in low-light conditions. One technique is the bounce flash, where the flash is bounced off a wall, ceiling, or bounce card to create softer lighting than direct flash. Bounce flash is useful in dark rooms with low ceilings, and when the photographer is moving around. It can be used with on-camera or off-camera flash setups, and photographers may use black foam to direct the flash and prevent stray light from spilling on the subject.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flash type | On-camera flash, Off-camera flash, Bounce flash |
| Flash direction | Not pointed directly at the subject, bounced off a wall, ceiling, or bounce card |
| Flash settings | ISO 1600, F 2.8, 1/200; ISO 1000, F 3.2, 1/125; ISO 2500, f 2.8, 1/50; 1/80 @ f4 @ 1600 ISO |
| Flash gear | Godox AD200 x4, Godox V860II, Godox X-Pro-S trigger, MagMods with grids, Lume Cube, MagGrid from MagMod |
| Lighting conditions | Dark rooms, low-ceiling rooms, rooms with natural light |
| Photography style | Moving subjects, shutter speed, ambient light, dramatic lighting |
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What You'll Learn
Bouncing flash off walls and ceilings
This technique is particularly useful in dark rooms with low ceilings, where natural light may be limited or unavailable. By bouncing the flash off a reflective surface, photographers can create softer and more appealing lighting effects, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the photographs. Additionally, this technique allows photographers to control the lighting conditions, ensuring well-lit and clear images.
When bouncing flash off walls, it is important to consider the distance of the wall from the camera. In situations where the walls are far behind the photographer, adjustments to camera settings may be necessary. Increasing the ISO and aperture can help compensate for the distance and ensure sufficient light reaches the subject.
Additionally, photographers can use black foam as a gobo (go-between) to direct the flash onto the desired surface and prevent stray light from spilling onto the subject. This technique ensures that the light is controlled and directed only where it is needed, creating a more focused and flattering effect.
Bouncing flash off walls or ceilings is a versatile technique that can be adapted to various wedding photography scenarios. It allows photographers to capture clear and aesthetically pleasing images, even in challenging lighting conditions, ensuring memorable photographs that the couple and their loved ones can cherish for years to come.
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Using black foam to direct flash
Black foam, also known as the "black foamie thing" (BFT), is used as a flash modifier to direct the flash onto the surface used to bounce and prevent stray direct light from spilling onto the subject. It is attached to the underside of the flash head with gaffer tape, hair bands, or plastic wrist bracelets, allowing the photographer to rotate it to the desired angle.
The black foamie thing is especially useful when photographing in environments with high ceilings or when there are no nearby bounce-able surfaces. By using black foam, photographers can avoid the need for direct flash, which can be harsh and unflattering. Instead, the black foam absorbs the light from the flash, preventing it from hitting people in the eyes or face, and creating softer, more directional light.
Additionally, the black foamie thing is a simple, inexpensive, and adaptable tool. Photographers can easily shape and fold it to control the amount of light being bounced, creating the desired lighting effect. This flexibility allows for more creative and unique images, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the wedding photographs.
When using black foam to direct flash, it is important to consider the distance between the flash and the bounce surface. The closer the bounce surface is, the more the black foamie thing reduces the light reaching the subject. Therefore, photographers need to adjust their flash settings accordingly to ensure optimal lighting conditions for their shots.
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Camera settings for bounce flash
Bounce flash photography is a great way to illuminate your wedding photos, especially in dark venues with low ceilings. While some photographers prefer off-camera flash, there are times when you'll need to rely on bounce flash, such as when you're moving around a lot or the ceiling is too low.
When using bounce flash, you can bounce the light off a wall, ceiling, or a bounce card to create softer lighting than direct flash. While some photographers recommend bouncing light off a white wall or ceiling, others suggest that you can be adventurous and bounce light off various surfaces to see what results you get.
To set up your camera for bounce flash, there are a few settings to consider. First, if you're using gels, set your white balance as you normally would, such as using Kelvin for wedding days. Second, remember that your camera meter only accounts for ambient light, so you may need to meter for -1 stop to avoid overexposing your image when you add flash.
For camera settings, there are a few combinations to try. One photographer suggests ISO 1000, F 3.2, and 1/125. Another suggests experimenting with various settings, recommending a faster shutter speed (1/125 or higher) and a smaller aperture (f/2.8 to f/9) to balance the flash with ambient light, while keeping the ISO low (100-400) to minimize noise. For direct flash, they suggest 1/200, f/2.8, and ISO 320.
It's also important to consider your flash power settings. When using flash in ETTL mode, the flash will meter the light and output what it thinks is needed. In manual mode, start at 1/4 power and adjust as needed, ensuring you use the high sync function to achieve a faster shutter speed.
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Using bounce flash with natural light
Bounce flash is a versatile lighting technique that can be used in various settings, including wedding photography, to enhance your images and create soft, flattering, and natural-looking light. It involves redirecting light from your flash to a surface, such as a wall or ceiling, instead of pointing the flash directly at your subject. This technique allows you to control the lighting and reduce the appearance of harsh shadows, especially in low-light conditions or when shooting in venues with high ceilings and limited natural light.
To use bounce flash effectively with natural light, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, understand the ambient light in the room by evaluating the available natural light sources and their intensity. This awareness will help you determine the necessary flash power and shutter speed settings. A slower shutter speed allows more ambient light into your image, while a faster shutter speed reduces motion blur when your subjects are moving.
When using bounce flash, the distance to the surface you're bouncing the light off of is crucial. If you're bouncing off a nearby wall or ceiling, ensure you're using the appropriate flash zoom settings to concentrate the light effectively. Shooting in raw mode can also help, as it allows you to tweak the white balance easily during post-processing, especially if the light is bouncing off coloured surfaces. Additionally, consider using a neutral-coloured surface, such as white or grey, to bounce your flash. This helps create a more natural-looking light and avoid unwanted colour casts on your subjects.
Another factor to consider is the direction of the bounced light. By bouncing the light up and to the side, you can avoid excessive light falling on closer subjects, ensuring that the lighting is more evenly distributed across the scene. This technique is particularly useful when capturing group photos or candid moments, such as a bouquet or garter toss, ensuring that all participants are adequately lit. Additionally, black foam can be used as a gobo (go-between) to direct the flash onto the desired surface and prevent stray direct light from spilling onto your subjects.
Finally, when using bounce flash, it's essential to have a powerful flash, especially in venues with high ceilings. This ensures that your flash has enough power to reach the ceiling or wall and provide sufficient illumination for your subjects. Experiment with different flash settings, such as increasing the ISO and aperture, to achieve the desired lighting effect while maintaining a fast shutter speed to capture well-lit, natural-looking images.
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Off-camera flash vs. on-camera bounce flash
Wedding photography is a dynamic and challenging endeavour that often requires the use of flash to capture well-lit and captivating images. Two popular techniques for flash photography are off-camera flash (OCF) and on-camera bounce flash, each offering distinct advantages and considerations.
Off-camera flash provides greater control over the lighting conditions, allowing photographers to create more interesting and flattering lighting angles, such as positioning the flash at a 45-degree angle to the subject. This technique is particularly useful for portraits, creative shots, and capturing details such as rings, dresses, and flowers. OCF enables photographers to move the flash off-camera, providing more flexibility in composing shots and working distances. Additionally, OCF setups can include multiple flashes, ensuring even lighting in both the foreground and background. However, one of the drawbacks of OCF is the increased gear requirements, which can reduce mobility and require additional setup time.
On-camera bounce flash, on the other hand, is a more straightforward technique where the flash is mounted on the camera and bounced off walls, ceilings, or bounce cards to create softer lighting. This method is excellent for events, receptions, and situations where the photographer needs to be quick and mobile. Bounce flash is less gear-intensive, making it a good option for photographers who want to keep their setup simple and lightweight. However, one limitation of bounce flash is that any slight movement of the camera or reflector can result in different lighting on the subject, reducing consistency.
Both techniques have their merits, and many photographers use a combination of the two throughout a wedding day. Off-camera flash allows for more creative lighting setups and control, while on-camera bounce flash provides simplicity, mobility, and softer lighting compared to direct flash. Ultimately, the choice between off-camera flash and on-camera bounce flash depends on the specific needs and style of the photographer, as well as the lighting conditions of the venue.
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Frequently asked questions
Bounce flash is a technique where you mount a flash to your camera and bounce the light off a wall, ceiling, or bounce card instead of pointing it directly at your subject. This creates softer light and reduces harshness.
Bounce flash is useful in low-light conditions or when moving around a lot, which is common at weddings. It gives you more control over lighting and can be used in venues with natural light as well.
You'll need a camera with a hot shoe to connect a speedlight (external flash). Consider a powerful flash for high-ceiling venues. Other gear includes triggers, bounce cards, and modifiers like diffusers or grids for light control.
Adjust your ISO and aperture settings to control the amount of light. For example, higher ISOs and wider apertures increase light output. Also, consider using a flash metering mode and adjusting shutter speed to manage ambient light.
Ensure your flash doesn't point directly at your subjects to avoid harsh lighting. Use black foam to direct the flash and prevent stray light. Practice with different setups and angles to find your preference. Keep your gear simple and mobile, especially for receptions.
