Hey guys, does anyone here use direct, non-diffused flash into an assistant-held reflector? For instance, my assistant would be behind me holding a reflector. I would aim my flash head backwards to bounce it off the reflector which is in turn aimed at the couple. How well would this work, and does anyone do this when shooting in dark areas with high or no ceilings?

It might work. What I mean by might is that a hotshoe flash is a small light source. Granted bouncing it into a reflector could make it a larger light source but I think your body would be blocking too much of the flash to make the quality of light very flattering. Also the light would be very flat without any real ratio or direction on your subject.

I think a better option would be to get the flash off the camera. You can then bounce it into a reflector or use an umbrella. This would also allow you better control over the direction the light is coming from.

I know a guy who says he gets great results pointing the flash up and behind him. the assitant then just holds the reflector above his head.

This is exactly what I meant, sorry if my original post was confusing. I have been playing around with off camera lighting and it seems to work great, but I was thinking about this more as a way to soften the light source rather then change the direction of the light.

Check out this 'on camera' bounce card

Cory Parris brought that to share at last nights OSP Seattle get together. Erwin took the pic... Might be just what your looking for.

The problem with the assistant holding the reflector behind you is one of consistency, if they move, or you move then the distance to the reflector from the flash head will change and the size and relative intensity of the light source hitting the subject will change dramatically.

I also remember hearing about a guy with a special made hat with 1 or 2 umbrellas and strobes attached... effective and a great conversation piece... ;-)

Edit: it was this dude. I saw him speak in Seattle and he had a picture of himself with the 'flash hat' on in the late 70s, said he invented it.... ;-)

it works very well with a gold reflector... I do it all the time outside on a cloudy day.

Found it!

Haha thats hilarious! Thanks for the replies

I know that last year at WPPI, Kevin Kubota mentioned that he would often get his assistant to hold an opaque reflector and he would fire his off camera flash through the reflector for a diffused light. I went out and bought an opaque reflector but have forgotten about it until now (plus I don't usually have an assistant that is so "hands-on" so to speak..)...

It needs a beer holder with a long, curly straw.....

You all just know that Gary Fong is going to come out with some hat just like that one day and we're all going to be the first to buy it. LOL

What do you think Fongster would call it? Fongcap? Hmm...

Have you thought of a diffusion flat instead? They're extremely versatile, they can be used to shade the couple, or to use as you suggested. They come in all different sizes, mine is probably 3x8, from Calumet.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/vip...ks/IG3Q5671.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/vip...ks/IG3Q3204.jpg


Folds up in a small bag
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/vip...OT/IMG_3529.jpg

I have a feeling that Roger Ressmeyer would take issue with anyone marketing that, even Gary... he did invent it after all and the talk he gave when I saw him was on how to protect your intellectual rights... ;-)

I GOTTA GET ME ONE OF THOSE HELMETS!!! LOL

I have done it because the car with my umbrella was too far away. It is better than nothing but you loose a lot of light.