flash brackets?

[saroy]

Here's a question for the more experienced photographers out there, I've been wondering for a long time!

Obviously an external flash unit performs leaps and bounds above any on-camera flash, but what's the advantage to putting it on a flash bracket, instead of on the camera hot-shoe? (Or, maybe just *why* do many use a flash bracket?)

Is it the additional freedom of movement? Does mounting the flash farther from the lens help diffuse the light?

[MyKey]

I use a Custom Bracket for weddings and other events for two main reasons.

1. Cuts out the red-eye completely
2. Drops all the shadows down behind the subjects so I do not have to worry about them in post-op PS work and/or I think it looks much nicer!

It does soften the edges some also but the main two reasons I use them are listed above. However, I know MANY photographers who hate them and never use them and take amazing pictures, but they usually have an assistance to help them out and hold a wireless flash system to the side.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by MyKey

I use a Custom Bracket for weddings and other events for two main reasons.

1. Cuts out the red-eye completely
2. Drops all the shadows down behind the subjects so I do not have to worry about them in post-op PS work and/or I think it looks much nicer!

It does soften the edges some also but the main two reasons I use them are listed above. However, I know MANY photographers who hate them and never use them and take amazing pictures, but they usually have an assistance to help them out and hold a wireless flash system to the side.

ditto
I used to have AWFUL shadows on my vertical shots until I got a bracket and haven't seen a shadow or red eye since.

[Noe]

Originally Posted by MyKey

I use a Custom Bracket for weddings and other events for two main reasons.

1. Cuts out the red-eye completely
2. Drops all the shadows down behind the subjects so I do not have to worry about them in post-op PS work and/or I think it looks much nicer!

It does soften the edges some also but the main two reasons I use them are listed above. However, I know MANY photographers who hate them and never use them and take amazing pictures, but they usually have an assistance to help them out and hold a wireless flash system to the side.

Can you show us a picture of your bracket and the positions you use it in? I use a Metz 45 and the 580 ex, its more like experimenting. The 580 is set direct and ttl and the metz is bounced. Getting very decent results.

Noe

[MyKey]

I don't have any pictures, I can talk some later tonight or this weekend and get one posted if you like. Basicly I have my 550 or 580 mounted directly above the lens so when I turn the camera to either horz or vert the flash is still directly above the lens. I bounce a lot of light or if I shoot striaght forward I decrease the amount of flash I use by a stop or two and shoot at f/2.8 which gives me a softer flash look yet allows alot of light to come into the lens. It opens up the background, makes the image look almost non-flash or even non-dark with this tech. Really helps in the reception shots!

[jheiliger]

What Mike said about shadows and red eye is the answer.

The important thing when buying a bracket is to buy one that allows you to flip your camera vertical and still maintains the flash above the lens.

Joe

[saroy]

Hmm. Ok. I guess I'm just not mentally picturing how it cuts down on shadows... ??

Does it reduce red-eye because while the subject might be looking directly at the lens, the light is not going directly into their eye (thus reflecting into the photo)? And I assume that the bracket rotates, such that the flash is above the lens whether shooting landscape or portrait...that makes complete sense.

I haven't done any research on brackets because I don't even have an external flash yet, but was curious as to why they are used. I just haven't had to take pictures in the dark or in very dim light except when they're just snapshots and I resign myself to the harshness of the on-camera flash.

Thanks for the info, guys! :)

[saroy]

Oh wait, I just reread Mike's initial post and finally "got it" about how the flash being higher above the lens "drops" the shadows. :) Cool!

[Jim Victory]

Another advantage is to get the flash up out over a long telephoto lens to help fill shadow area at a distance.

On long lenses with a shoe mounted flash you may find the lens hood creating a shadow itself. Here is pic of the Wimberley Flash bracket with a 500EX and Better Beamer.

[AustinModelsAndTalent]

As MyKey said. Definitely HATE to use flash on the camera hotshoe. As for a picture of such a rig, here is mine set up high and in Cara's glasses.

[soundbelly]

I have been looking for a flash bracket this past week. The problem with mounting an external flash, which you guys have covered, was the vertical shots. Do you guys have names of brackets that will 'flip' to allow the flash to ride over the camera in a vertical position?

[AustinModelsAndTalent]

Stratos. I ordered mine from B&H for around $45. They also have it on the shelf at Precision Camera (at the usual overpriced Precision markup and attitude, of course - LOL)

[soundbelly]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[Bill]

Go to http://tiffen.com/Header_page_Stroboframe.htm. They explain the whole story behind brackets and Stroboframe has been around a while. I got mine in the early 80's, I think.

Bill