Shooting without extra flashes

[HUNTD]

Hiya

Just wondering because I cant see myself being able to purchase lots of flashes etc in the near future, if there is any tips or hints people are willing to share about taking photos with just the cameras' flash.

[David]

the problem with using the camera standard flash is that it will give you ugly shadows on walls and remove the depth from your subjects face. So i would say you should definitely use it at night for portrait photography but try and avoid other close by objects.

I also need to look into finding good ways to do this, I think i read once somewhere firing the flash just before the shutter closes can be good to capture your subject in dark conditions...

[duncan]

best tip I can give: leave it switched off.

[EGD]

the problem with on camera flash is the harsh direct light, you can avoid this by bounce the flash off. get a piece of white paper, and bounce the flash to ceiling, wall or whatever.

[David]

the problem with on camera flash is the harsh direct light, you can avoid this by bounce the flash off. get a piece of white paper, and bounce the flash to ceiling, wall or whatever.

Exactely, bounce to the side to create the effect of light coming in a window.

Try experimenting with this, you might even be able to do things like, cut out part of a milk bottle and use this as a diffuser over your flash, for softer light.

I found this article on using on-camera flash at weddings (http://www.wedpix.com/articles/002/working-with-on-camera-flash/) which might be useful to you... sorry I just skimed through it but it looks like there are some good tips there, check it out.

[talan]

There are a few cheapish products you can try...

http://store.johnthomson.co.nz/image.php?type=P&id=16163
$18 from http://store.johnthomson.co.nz/product.php?productid=16163&cat=256&page=1 This is similar to the Gary Fong Puffer http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html (go watch the vid)

Or even try this... FREE :)

http://www.diyphotography.net/files/images/party_bouncer_setup.jpg
http://www.diyphotography.net/the-party-bouncer-is-back-in-business

HTH with you photography. Make sure to show us some of your results!

[HUNTD]

Cheers for all the tips and info, its all a learning curve for me and any little bit of help is greatly appreciated.

Had a tricky one the other day, horrible light at a first birthday (not much time to position babies etc without them running away lol)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3712649650_34731edc72.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/3712651922_d2a42b9eb7.jpg?v=0

[thirdkid]

your photos turned out pretty nice..what setup did you go with?

[HUNTD]

Just my 350D and au natural sunlight

[Rick0r]

My favourite and easily the most portable.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9269/10362363381be2cd20.jpg

[Dot]

Top tips in this thread. Thanks guys, I'll be using some of these.(Y)

[smurff]

http://www.diyphotography.net/files/images/party_bouncer_setup.jpg

results!

i was boed today, so have made a verient on this with the flat part of a milk bottle container, made an nice improvement and steadyd out the light from the flash alot nicer than without :D

will play some more

-smurff

[scottyn]

try using a pocket mirror up to your lens to redirect it off of a wall. However you may have to boost the flash power a bit

[Spacemunkie]

My favourite and easily the most portable.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9269/10362363381be2cd20.jpg

Great idea!

Not on-camera, but here's something I constructed out of a flyer, tracing paper and some tape:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ScottSymonds/IMG_1613.jpg?t=1249090113

Creating DIY widgets for flash setups is half the fun of using the things! :D