Discreet on camera flash modifier

EspressoJunkie

EspressoJunkie

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Greg
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When theres nothing to bounce off I currently use a Demb Flip It as my on camera flash modifier and it works pretty well.

However I am planning on moving into weddings and I'd like to get a useful modifier thats a little more discreet.

I have used the Demb at a wedding and was very aware that there was a big white square above my flash. I doubt anyone noticed or cared but I'd like to blend in as much as possible (I know using flash at all sort of defeats this purpose though).

Is there anything that anyone would recommend for this type of situation?
 
No

For all the reasons you already know.

The good news:

The no1 'modifier' is a wall or ceiling or both. I only use a modifier where bounce isn't an option.
 
The more discreet (i.e. small) a flash modifier is, the less useful it is for softening light. But I figure you probably know this.

Also, if nobody noticed or cared when you were using the Demb, my guess is that you were blending in just fine.
If you're going to shoot weddings for money you need to get used to people noticing that you and your gear are there. After all, what do you want - decent photos or to be invisible? Weddings are a situation where the two are, generally, mutually exclusive.
 
Nionyn said:
The more discreet (i.e. small) a flash modifier is, the less useful it is for softening light. But I figure you probably know this.

Also, if nobody noticed or cared when you were using the Demb, my guess is that you were blending in just fine.
If you're going to shoot weddings for money you need to get used to people noticing that you and your gear are there. After all, what do you want - decent photos or to be invisible? Weddings are a situation where the two are, generally, mutually exclusive.
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Yeah I figured that. I guess I'm just trying to find the perfect balance!
 
Does nobody use the Black Floppy Thing as used and suggested by neil van niekerk in his books and lectures? This is just a piece of black foam that attaches to a flash gun and keeps direct light off the subject whilst bouncing off a wall or ceiling or whatever
 
How about the Rogue flashbender?
 
Steve-T said:
Does nobody use the Black Floppy Thing as used and suggested by neil van niekerk in his books and lectures? This is just a piece of black foam that attaches to a flash gun and keeps direct light off the subject whilst bouncing off a wall or ceiling or whatever
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Black Foamie Thing http://neilvn.com/tangents/the-black-foamie-thing/ Works fantastically well once you get to know it, but requires the right bounce surface nearby, eg neutral wall. Great for set-ups, much more difficult on the hoof.

My personal favourite is the Lumiquest QuikBounce, works in almost the opposite way to the BFT but produces good, predictable and consistent results in almost any situation, indoors or out. Also the Rogue Flashbender is very versatile though you have to keep checking it's set optimally. Neither is discreet. If you want that, probably the standard pull-out highlight panel is the only thing that fits the bill and that actually works very well if there's a normal white ceiling to hand. Or a Stofen, ditto.
 
Well for the next wedding (this Saturday) I'm just going to use the Demb as I don't want to be buying something and then not knowing how to use it! I like the look of the Lumiquest QuikBounce though and think I might invest in one of those in the near future.
 
EspressoJunkie said:
Well for the next wedding (this Saturday) I'm just going to use the Demb as I don't want to be buying something and then not knowing how to use it! I like the look of the Lumiquest QuikBounce though and think I might invest in one of those in the near future.
Click to expand...

It's my go-to accessory for on-camera flash as it's so easy, almost always works well, landscape or portrait format, versatile and predictable, works outside with flaps closed, folds away flat. Tip: you can vary the direct:bounce ratio usefully by zooming the flash head - handy for higher ceilings zoomed out to max, or for a stronger flash look I flip the wide-panel down.

Also try the Black Foamie Thing. It's a technique more than anything, but in the right situations there's nothing to touch it for natural-looking window light. See Neil V's examples.
 
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