Recommend books / linke / advice for ON-cam flash?

Davince · 5 Apr 2013

No matter what I do, I'm still not happy with my on-cam speedlight images, and lets face it there are times when you seriously can't go running around off-cam!

Looking at others work that is noted as a single on cam speedlight, I want to know what I'm missing lol.

landerson07 · 5 Apr 2013

You can always hand hold a flash with something like the lumiquest softbox iii

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LumiQuest-LQ-119-Softbox-lll/dp/B001HAER88

Davince · 5 Apr 2013

I do have something similar, I'm thinking more for the hectic times when you're zipping and zooming and really need both hands for the camera and even hand held flash is a pain.

Phil V · 5 Apr 2013

Davince said:
I do have something similar, I'm thinking more for the hectic times when you're zipping and zooming and really need both hands for the camera and even hand held flash is a pain.

When you're stuck with on camera flash, your only real variables are the bounce surface and distance and the balance against the ambient.

What is it exactly you're not happy about?

HoppyUK · 5 Apr 2013

Sounds like you want one of these - Lumiquest QuikBounce http://store.lumiquest.com/lumiquest-quik-bounce/ I often mention it - search against my user name for more info as to why

For a book, Speedliter's Handbook by Syl Arena is the standard answer, and it's very good. Canon-centric on the equipment front, but that's very similar to Nikon and all the other stuff (ie most of it) still applies.

Davince · 5 Apr 2013

Phil V said:
What is it exactly you're not happy about?

I seem to be incapable of balancing harshness with the desire for some catchlights - as soon as I use a bounce card to give a bit of catchlight, it's full on glare, remove that and it's a bit dead looking... I guess 'balance' would be the answer.

Davince · 5 Apr 2013

HoppyUK said:
For a book, Speedliter's Handbook by Syl Arena is the standard answer, and it's very good. Canon-centric on the equipment front, but that's very similar to Nikon and all the other stuff (ie most of it) still applies.

Cheers Hoppy, will dig that out

deputy dawg · 5 Apr 2013

Niel vn-tangents web site is excellent he also has a book about on camera flash

dave_bass5 · 11 Apr 2013

deputy dawg said:
Niel vn-tangents web site is excellent he also has a book about on camera flash

His On camera flash book is the best ive read for on camera lighting.
Having tired to read the Speedliter's Handbook a few times i felt it had a lot of info, that while accurate and informative, was a bit heavy going.
Niel's book is straight to the point, doesn't deal with other types of flash use, just on camera, and has lots of example and good ideas.

It all seemed to click in to place after i started reading this book.