[reivax]

Hello everyone,

Lately, I've been trying to get better shots when using an off camera flash (manual mode. wireless triggers, no diffusers), but I just really don't like the results I get. All of the images look way too harsh and too "contrasty". I've seen shots where people are able to get some pretty nice stuff before and I just can't seem to achieve that. I guess I'm looking to get the most natural looking results I can get, with bare flash. (I know the best way to do this would be with bounce or umbrellas, but if shooting in a place where I'm moving around and the ceiling is too high and walls are too far away, I'm assuming straight ahead might be my best choice?) I know that ideally you set up with diffusers, etc, but I don't always have that option available.

Does anyone have any helpful tips? Should I be considering certain apertures or shutter speeds? Both indoor/outdoor advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks again, in advance.

Ask Google to find Joe Brady videos about using balancing flash and ambient light.

[mikeSF]

reduce flash output vs ambient. shoot subject in shade, shoot at twilight.

can you carry a small popup white reflector (foldup type)? if so, you can shoot thru it or bounce. I once had two friends (both wearing white T shirts) stand together while i bounced my flash off them and it created a great soft throw for my candid portrait.

[sterretje]

Lately, I've been trying to get better shots when using an off camera flash (manual mode. wireless triggers, no diffusers)

I guess your issue is the lack of diffusers resulting in harsh direct light. I'm not a flash specialist and only shoot with on-camera flash. Most of the time, the sky is my ceiling and I either use a simple diffuser or a Rogue Flashbender.

[redcat]

I once had two friends (both wearing white T shirts) stand together while i bounced my flash off them and it created a great soft throw for my candid portrait.

this is genius !!! if you don't mind I'll add your idea to the thread :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/296355-what-c...speedlite.html

reivax: if you use pop-up flash, try this
I just found this, it's fun and useful : http://www.instructables.com/id/Cigarette-Packet-Flash-Diffuser/

[MPrince]

A small light source (relative to the subject) is going to produce hard light. There's no way around that. To soften the light you have to increase the apparent size of the light source. There are lots of ways to do that, including adding a bounce card (white fun foam works well, or the "black foamie thing"), placing subject in shade and using flash for fill, bouncing off a white foamcore board, etc.

[wstruth]

You may want to try a Rogue Flashbender like sterrtje suggested. I have the large one and the soft box attachment for it that works quite well for what it is. I also have a cheap small soft box that velcros onto the head of the flash. I usually try to bounce my flash. The two units noted above work, but not as well as a larger umbrella or stand mounted soft box. You can also use as low an ISO setting as possible, dial down the flash ev setting/or power if shooting manual, and use as small an aperture as possible and you will effectively reduce the amount of light coming from the flash but not really soften it. Your best bet is still to create as large a light source as possible.

[Class A]

As others have said, you need to create a big light source in order to avoid the harsh look.

A bounce card or a standard flash accessory like a flashbender, however, are way too small to create quality light.

Check out Neil Van Niekerk's "Black Foamie Thingy" which is meant to be used in combination with a big nearby surface, such as a wall or ceiling. It can produce great results (jump down to the passage that starts with "For comparison, ..." and check out the third photo).

Neil also wrote a book on lighting which you will probably find useful.

P.S.: A bounce card is meant to be used in combination with bouncing the flash off a big surface. Its purpose is to throw a small amount of the light towards the subject directly in order to produce catchlights in the eyes and provide some fill light for areas that would otherwise become pretty dark (-> "racoon eyes").

[BrianR]

Any examples of the look you're trying to achieve and what you've been able to do so far?

[bmw]

There are no magic solutions to this: light hitting your subject from a small light source will always be hard light.

Since the softness of the light depends on the size of the light source relative to your subject, you have two choices:

A - make your small source into a bigger source;
B - get a smaller subject. Shoot insects.

One of the many solutions involving bouncing light off a larger surface will work. Get a portable surface, like a folding reflector, and bring an assistant if there no nearby walls or ceiling.

Physics is determining this one. No way around it.

---------- Post added 06-08-15 at 02:56 PM ----------

By the way, my favourite solution is a softbox attached to a monopod carried by a young assistant. Use wireless flash.