Effectiveness of bounce cards and types of bounce cards... (long post)

[erictan8888]

hi,

just experimented with the effects of bounce cards and different types of bounce cards on shooting....

the bounce cards are homemade, so dun appear too professional....

like to share and hear comments regarding this and how to improve....
(should have a bounce card with same shape and no lamination to compare, but did not have one and too xian to do it la... hee hee )

thanks in advance....

external flash with bounce card wrapped with aluminium foil

external flash with name card

external flash with laminated bounce card

please continue below .............

 

[erictan8888]

shot taken with no bounce card with flash directed at ceiling.

shot taken with bounce card wrapped with aluminium foil and with flash directed at ceiling.

shot taken with a namecard as a bounce card and with flash directed at ceiling.

shot taken with laminated bounce card and with flash directed at ceiling.

this is the conclusion i drew from the experiment:
1. bounce cards does make a difference to your final pic.
2. bounce cards wrapped with aluminium foil does not appear to be useful.
3. white bounce cards appears to be better.
4. the size of the bounce cards does matter.
5. lamination appears to affect the bouncing effect.

any comments on how to better utilise bounce cards is appreciated... thanks.

 

[icarus]

Alfred!

What is the angle u set ur flash head?

 

[poohbear]

Alfred!

What is the angle u set ur flash head?

i hope it's not 90 :sweat:

 

[yanyewkay]

i think it's 90. He said directly at ceiling. Nice and comprehensive stuff here. I always tot that aluminium foil will be better and have thought of adding it to my homemade laminated bounce card. Now I know better.

THANKS erictan888.

OT: your avatar.. a bit.. 'flashy'.. hahahah

 

[yanyewkay]

i hope it's not 90 :sweat:

oh yah.. why not 90? I tot it's pretty normal to use 90 to bounce off the ceiling and use the bounce card to fill in and shadows (like under the eyes)?

 

[poohbear]

i think it's 90. He said directly at ceiling. Nice and comprehensive stuff here. I always tot that aluminium foil will be better and have thought of adding it to my homemade laminated bounce card. Now I know better.

THANKS erictan888.

OT: your avatar.. a bit.. 'flashy'.. hahahah

directly at ceiling could mean 90 , 89 , 88 , 87 , 86 .....
if i point a flash at 45 degree directly to ceiling , am i not pointing directly to the ceiling ?

 

[ckiang]

90° is fine, esp. if you have a bounce card. Have been using 90° for years.

Regards
CK

 

[erictan8888]

use 90 degree for the above....

 

[jsbn]

Hmm... I usually tilt abit.... Like 80, 85 or so. Dun like straight 90, dunno why.

 

[Evilmerlin]

Will be getting an external flash unit soon. Which is the most cost effective bounce card?

 

[jsbn]

DIY.

Or buy frm skyestang at consumer corner. $18 nia.

 

[yanyewkay]

mine is just a piece or laminated A4 paper.. then cut down to size. 1 piece of A4 can make about 2 but won't be as stiff as those that skyestang is selling.

 

[feryl]

Laminate a 200GSM artcard instead then. It will be quite stiff. Or better yet, buy a glossy A4/A3 artcard. There are also a great deal of bounce-card worthy material easily and cheaply (definitely less than $15) available from Art-Friends at Bras Basah or Selegie Shopping Complex (or centre?).

Try to bring a La Salle or NAFA friend along, they will usually have a discount card and are friendlier with the staff, who may even offer to cut the paper to your preferred size.