Event shooting with flash?

[aloyteo]

hi guys,

for events like chingay where there is no ceiling to bounce from do u just aim the flash head straight ahead and shoot? must use diffuser? but range of flash will be reduced drastically right? i tried using bounce card with the flash head at 45 degrees angle but the range is too short.

for other events like those on stage ones in shopping centres where the ceiling is 4 storeys high then how to shoot?

thanks.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by aloyteo hi guys, for events like chingay where there is no ceiling to bounce from do u just aim the flash head straight ahead and shoot? must use diffuser? but range of flash will be reduced drastically right? i tried using bounce card with the flash head at 45 degrees angle but the range is too short. for other events like those on stage ones in shopping centres where the ceiling is 4 storeys high then how to shoot? thanks.

Shoot with a higher ISO without flash.

[aloyteo]

higher ISO for indoor events still can. but for outdoor night events plus need to freeze fast motion i think bit hard...

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by aloyteo for other events like those on stage ones in shopping centres where the ceiling is 4 storeys high then how to shoot? thanks.

shoot direct without use of diffuser. some samples from my gallery shot this way:
http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/dxo2005

[vince123123]

I concur with mpenza - direct is the way to go...UNLESS you're one heck of a near to the subject matter, in which case you can also decide whether to put diffusers or just shoot direct.

Originally Posted by mpenza shoot direct without use of diffuser. some samples from my gallery shot this way: http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/dxo2005

[aloyteo]

so just use direct flash... will try that during the chingay celebrations in jurong on saturday. dunno why people seem to hate direct flash so much... insist that only bounce flash is good...or is it for weddings only?

[solarii]

Originally Posted by aloyteo so just use direct flash... will try that during the chingay celebrations in jurong on saturday. dunno why people seem to hate direct flash so much... insist that only bounce flash is good...or is it for weddings only?

People prefer bounced flash cos the light spreads over a larger area after being bounced, so the shadows are less harsh and lighting is more 3D.

However outdoors when bounce is next to impossible, you'll have to make-do with direct. You'll still get good results. Also, harsh shadows behind yr subject are usually gone outdoors since there are very few walls or backdrops to cast shadows on. Only issue is that lighting's a little flat. If you're particular you can use a flash bracket to position the flash off-shoe for more flattering results.

[tzesian]

Just to clarify my viewpoint....

From the perspective of being natural, the sun is always ontop of the subject, a flash is as good as a sun in short duration, have you ever work in the situation a sun is pointing to you right infront ? hehe not me...

I can understand, the situation, when you don't have a big flash gun, firing straight is the only choice, and you probably have to wide open the apeature of yours' lens to 2.8 or 4, if the situation permits, shooting with ceiling bounce + fill (either a reflector, or a secondary fill flash on the camera, or maybe a second unit of flash, would provide the lighting quality impossible by a single flash gun pointing straight, that's why people forking out hard saved cash for higher power flash unit