How to Use Bounce Flash to Improve Your Photography
Make sure your camera has either a hot-shoe for an external flash, or a socket for plugging one in., Invest in an external flash unit with a 90 degree swivel (bounce) head., When taking a flash picture indoors, turn off the camera's built-in flash...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make sure your camera has either a hot-shoe for an external flash
Most cameras have at least one of the two. -
Step 2: or a socket for plugging one in.
All major camera makers sell reasonably-priced units with this feature.
Some models also rotate, adding even more functionality. , Point the bounce flash head at the ceiling (rather than at the subject) and take the picture.
This will provide a soft, diffused light and it will cut down on red-eye. , You can then remove the flash from the camera and bounce the light off walls, a reflector, or whatever you want. , To bounce the built-in flash with the Lightscoop (no external flash necessary):
Slide the Lightscoop onto the camera's hot shoe.
Set the camera to work in Manual mode.
Set the camera's exposure mode to Spot meter.
Set the ISO to
800.
Set the shutter speed to 1/200.
Set the aperture to the lens's maximum. , It will NOT work in rooms with cathedral ceilings, paneled wood ceilings, in gymnasiums or churches, or in places like nightclubs with dark ceilings.
When ceilings are too high or too dark, not enough light can bounce back to reach the scene below. , A budget alternative is creating one yourself. -
Step 3: Invest in an external flash unit with a 90 degree swivel (bounce) head.
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Step 4: When taking a flash picture indoors
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Step 5: turn off the camera's built-in flash.
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Step 6: For even better results
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Step 7: buy a cable which connects your camera to the flash unit.
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Step 8: While Professor Kobre's Lightscoop is not advertised to replace external flash units
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Step 9: some photographers may be interested in its low-tech but effective approach to bouncing the built-in flash itself.
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Step 10: As is the case when bouncing an external flash (see "Warnings")
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Step 11: the Lightscoop works best with light-colored ceilings approximately 8–10 feet (2.4–3.0 m) tall or walls (when camera is in vertical orientation).
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Step 12: If you do own a hotshoe flash with a head that can tilt upwards consider getting a diffuser such as a Sto-fen Omnibounce or a Lightsphere these allow for a bounce-like effect when there is no handy surface to bounce flash from.
Detailed Guide
Most cameras have at least one of the two.
All major camera makers sell reasonably-priced units with this feature.
Some models also rotate, adding even more functionality. , Point the bounce flash head at the ceiling (rather than at the subject) and take the picture.
This will provide a soft, diffused light and it will cut down on red-eye. , You can then remove the flash from the camera and bounce the light off walls, a reflector, or whatever you want. , To bounce the built-in flash with the Lightscoop (no external flash necessary):
Slide the Lightscoop onto the camera's hot shoe.
Set the camera to work in Manual mode.
Set the camera's exposure mode to Spot meter.
Set the ISO to
800.
Set the shutter speed to 1/200.
Set the aperture to the lens's maximum. , It will NOT work in rooms with cathedral ceilings, paneled wood ceilings, in gymnasiums or churches, or in places like nightclubs with dark ceilings.
When ceilings are too high or too dark, not enough light can bounce back to reach the scene below. , A budget alternative is creating one yourself.
About the Author
Jose Campbell
A passionate writer with expertise in practical skills topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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