For those of us who shoot with off-camera flash while using a light modifier such as an umbrella or softbox, we're bound to encounter the issue of having the flash not on axis with the modifier. Oftentimes, the bracket that holds the flash and modifier together are separated by at least 4-6" of vertical space with the flash firing downwards at an angle towards the umbrella.

If we're using a large modifier, such as a 60" umbrella, the problem is less pronounced, or if the flash is far enough from the area where the light will be reflecting on. However, with smaller (<40") umbrellas, the discrepancy of light hitting the top and the bottom of the umbrella will be quite visible. Continue Reading

Technorati Tags: off-camera flash, umbrella

By David L. Tong

In our last article, we touched on the subject of how to control the direction of light for beautiful portraits that won't appear like an unplanned, direct-flash photograph. We know that we can swivel and tilt most flash guns to alter their firing direction, but unfortunately, even if you point the flash head to a certain direction, there will always be some light spilling from the edge of the light beam as the fresnel lens in front of your strobe scatters light in a pre-determined pattern. You can have greater control with where the light is travelling using basic physics and common sense. The easiest, cheapest, and most portable way to achieve that would be through do-it-yourself bounce and flag sheets.

Before I go further, the use of bounce and flag cards aren't new ideas as they have been around since portable, swivel heads were invented. Their applications are nothing new, but with today's access to faddish accessories, many people don't bother with traditional techniques and fall for modern marketing flash gadget attachments instead, even if the former is more effective.

The size you want/need will depend on your shooting style and flash gun size. The examples I'm providing fit most modern flash heads. Continue Reading

by David L. Tong

If you're new to flash, please read my previous flash-related articles here, here, and here, before proceeding to simplify your learning process.

Image Courtesy of Amazon.com

Before we begin, this article will only benefit users of external flash guns that will allow you to tilt, swivel, and rotate your flash head such as a Canon 580EX II (illustrated), or practitioners of off-cam flash triggers.

A dedicated flash unit emits more light than a standard built-in flash, enabling you to light up wider and farther distances as well. In addition, most higher-end models allow you to change the angle of the flash head, allowing you to control where the light will travel and reflect from.

This, I believe, is one of the most important selling points of an external flash gun.

While the ability to throw more light to a subject is great, using a dedicated flash for direct lighting only is, in my opinion, under-utilizing an advance piece of equipment.

An external flash will have some disadvantages such as size, the need to carry another piece of equipment, the need to carry more batteries, etc. The advantages, however, outweigh the negatives, especially if you shoot indoors. The ability of external flash to provide more light, directional light, faster auto-focus assistance, strobe effects, and saving your camera's battery consumption are much more important features you gain than the mere size/weight issue, if you're always concerned about creating your own light.

As I've mentioned in my previous article, Get A Flash First, a lot of ideas and opportunity open up if there's enough light for your photographs. I strongly suggest you obtain one and see what you can do with a dedicated flash.

Continue Reading