photography in the house

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pjd88

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Just a quick question. Is it possible to get well lit images in the house with just one flashlight when there is no natural light available?

Any examples would be appreciated as I'm finding a one light bounced setup to challenging to produce well lit images :)
 
bounce off the ceiling for a more even light?
 
pjd88 said:
A really useful link - thanks!

Has anyone else got some good advice for indoor shots with a single flash. I am finding shadows are the main problem when indoors.
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Gary fong light sphere works a treat for exactly this. It really softens the reflective light.
 
Bounce your flash off a medium sized white or gold umbrela. I servived for years with this set up for baby photos. Especialy in small rooms with no space for a bigger set up.
 
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You need a real flash you can aim, the inbuilt flash isn't good enough.

Get a new flash and aim it up.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
You need a real flash you can aim, the inbuilt flash isn't good enough.

Get a new flash and aim it up.
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I am using a sb-800 so it may be me that's the problem and not the flash! :)

The umbrella idea is a good one - thanks for that.

I have been using bounce flash off the ceiling, but am still struggling with shadows in various places so have been wondering if I need a second flash, but my wallet is telling me to check if there's another alternative to the problem before I go buying things I don't actually need!
 
Have you seen the ken Rockwell site with a good example of direct flash compared to bounced flash?
 
Dale_d3100 said:
Have you seen the ken Rockwell site with a good example of direct flash compared to bounced flash?
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Yes I have thank you. I am using a bounce flash but am still getting shadows. Could this be caused from being to close to the subject?
 
What lens are you using?

I use my SB400 with either my 18-55mm or my 35mm prime and I don't get any shadows.

Where are the shadows, do you have any example pics?
 
I'm using 35 and 50mm primes. I've taken some images but can't upload right now. I tend to bounce the flash off the ceiling or the wall. Happens more in portrait orientation. for example if take one a picture of the GF I tend to use portrait orientation and end up with a shadow on the opposite back side from the side of the flashgun. If that makes any sense?! Also getting shadows from other objects with I can't seem to remove with flash bounced.

:)
 
How about a reflector on the side where the shadow is to put some light in behind the subject?

Another alternative, if you have the space, is to get the subject to stand away from the wall. The shadow will still be there but not as pronounced.

Hope that helps :)
 
Inside a house is the ideal place for bouncing flash, since you have low ceilings and close walls. Just make sure you get your white balance correct, as the light emitted from the flash will take the colour of the last surface it bounces off, and most houses don't all have white interior walls!
 
If you look at the link given in post #3, you will find details of how he bounces his flash. I have tried this and it is very effective.

Basically, you need a piece of black art-foam, cut to about 8"x6" and attached to your flash with elastic (as Neil does) or a velcro cable-tie (which I use). You can get this from art or craft shops such as Hobbycraft - comes in A4 size and is very cheap. Place this on the side of your flash that faces your subject to flag light from hitting them directly. The flash will then bounce off the wall, which is, in effect, your softbox.

Regarding shadows on the wall, perhaps the subject is too close to the wall.
 
probably not the best examples ever since these were taken with a stupidly powerful flash
PUNKuate_94009134.jpg


PUNKuate_82655834.jpg
 
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djinn said:
is the flash your using on the camera or off ?
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Flash is in camera but bounced in various positions. I guess the point of things being too close to the wall is a good one, but hard to avoid in the house :(
 
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