Flash is a great tool as it allows photography to occur in situations where it otherwise couldn’t. In poor light, flash can be used to improve it. Direct flash in low light will allow you to capture an image on film, but it doesn’t produce flattering light. But by bouncing that light source off a ceiling or a wall, the light is softened netting a wrap around effect producing a much more flattering look.
Straight Flash
Most accessory flash units tilt or swivel so their heads can be positioned upward or sideways. In the upward configuration, the flash can be bounced off the ceiling. In the sideways configuration, the flash can be bounced off a nearby wall to create a sidelit effect. The purpose of bouncing the light is to create a broader light source. The broader the source relative to the size of the subject, the softer the light. As the flash is bounced off the ceiling or wall, the light is dispersed at a much wider angle than if its aimed directly at the subject. The result is a wrap around effect that is dramatically softened.
Bounce flash can be modified by adding a small card to the head of the flash. It acts as a fill source. Some of the bounce light is reflected off the surface of the card illuminating the subject. This light is a bit more direct than the light reflected off the ceiling yet it’s still very soft.
Primary considerations that need to be addressed before using the above techniques are how high are the ceilings and are they white. If the ceiling is very tall, chances are the flash won’t have enough power as the light has to travel from the camera to the ceiling and back down to the subject. Opening up the aperture may help, but not if the distance of the ceiling exceeds the power of the flash. Secondly, if the ceilings are not white, whatever color they are, those hues will be imparted to the subject and create an odd color cast. White ceilings are the way to go as the reflected color will be neutral. One final thought - bounce flash not only creates a nice soft light source, it also prevents red eye.
To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.
The article was very helpful. I was hoping to see a diagram or photo of the flash unit in use, particularley to see if you displayed a cup looking cover that surrounds the flash unit to soften the light even more. I saw such an apparatus at a wedding, but Iv'e heard of people making thier own make shift covers of their own.
