Defining the problem: While shooting a portrait outdoors, I usually add a fill flash to eliminate any “racoon eyes” and dark shadows on the face. The fill flash is set set at 1.7 stops under exposed for a light touch. My setup is a Nikon D600 with Nikon SB700 flash (mounted on the camera’s hotshoe) using TTL metering at -1.7 EV. In the example the lighting on the face is good (soft & directional) but you can see a hard shadow on the right side of the subject.

We have options…

There are a few options available, and in this test case I wanted to compare them

Option 1

On-camera flash with modifier (its DIY, got to try one!)

 

Option 2/3

Use a bracket and flash cord to keep the flash directly over the lens or (3.) Shoot with the flash on a light stand (keep the flash directly over the lens)

and the setup for that

Options 4

Shoot with the flash on a light stand using a modifier – in this example a shoot-through umbrella (32”)

Options 5

Use a reflector

and tested again at 5 feet

Options 6

Keep the camera in landscape position

Everyone will have different priorities. This test preceded a event in which I’m shooting most of the day at a family event so simplicity and time while maintaining quality are my key criteria. Different situations may well shift your priorities. as the saying goes, horses for courses…

For reference, these two images show how the mask appears without flash (first) and with the on-camera flash in portrait orientation (second).

My evaluation:

A quick rundown on my selection in the context of this event (your priorities may differ so rank as you see fit)

1. On-camera flash with DIY Diffuser (similar to the one in this article but even simpler – 11 inch diameter)

• (+) simple to setup, works for either portrait and landscape
• (-) tested at short distance (30 inches) and 5 feet [20150110-DSC_7551], may become less effective if you’re more than 5 feet back from your subject
• Thumbs-up! 2nd choice – good results and simple to use – may become less effective at distances > 5 feet

2. Bracket and flash cord

• (+) solves the problem by keeping the flash directly over the lens
• (-) adds complexity, switching between portrait and landscape becomes cumbersome and slow
• Thumbs down – complexity and lack of flexibility between portrait and landscape

3. Bare flash on a light stand

• (+) solves the problem by keeping the flash directly over the lens if you keep in the right position, works for either portrait and landscape (assuming your flash bracket allows you to mount at 90 degrees)
• (-) need to be in the right position under flash, adds setup time / complexity
• Thumbs down – once the light stand and flash are set-up, adding umbrella is not much more effort for softer lighting

4. Flash on a light stand with an umbrella

• (+) solves the problem, works for either portrait and landscape
• (-) adds setup time / complexity
• Thumbs-up! 3rd choice – it can be very useful to have a flash / umbrella setup ready to go during the session – works at longer shooting distance

5. Reflector

• (+) similar to the flash / umbrella – solves the problem, works for either portrait and landscape
• (-) needs an assistant to hold it or setup time / complexity to set up a stand
• Thumbs-up! 1st choice – simple and quick (I’ll have an assistant to hold it in this case) – works at any shooting distance

6. Camera in landscape position

• (+) solves the problem by keeping the flash directly over the lens
• (-) lose ½ of your resolution
• Thumbs down – this is likely one of the money shot of the day, I don’t want to lose resolution

Just so the impact of adding a reflector is more obvious here is an on-camera flash compared with the reflector shot:

Additional notes on my setup:

• Nikon D600 on tripod
• Key light – natural indirect lighting
• Nikon SB700 flash (CLS), -1EV setting
• Model: Anakin Skywalker mask (never complains!)

About The Author

Paul Streit is a passionate Portrait / Family Events Photographer based on the Silicon Valley Peninsula. You can follow him on the web at paulstreit and and on Facebook here.