Bounce + Accessory Comparisons

I've been reading photographers' discussions on various external flash accessories. These are updated comparisons for 6th edition of my textbook, "Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach."

 

For these tests, the subject remained at the same distance from the background, and the flash was located nine feet from the subject. Pictures in the left column were taken inside. Those in the right column were taken outside.

 

From top to bottom, the Indoor/Outdoor comparisons are for:

Direct Flash

Bouncing the flash off a ceiling

Fong diffuser

Lumiquest

Omnidome

Through a softbox

Off an umbrella

Through an umbrella

 

Outdoors or in a large ballroom or gymnasium, all the accessories work less well at softening shadows. Inside, light scatters off many surfaces. Outside, the scattered light rays coming from the accessories have few surfaces to bounce off.

 

Notice, in the outdoor series, that the shadow behind the model is darker in almost each situation.

 

All accessories are subject to the same laws of physics.

 

Ken Kobre - www.lightscoop.com

Lightscoop® is a device that bounces the pop-up flash in most dSLR cameras.

Done