Don't Use Your Flash This Way. Learn how to bounce flash instead.

Do you know how to use a flash for your camera indoors? Many people use their flash incorrectly, or at least not ideally. I walk you though a great option for how to use your flash for your camera indoors.
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[@devindearden2545]

Honestly this video and the wedding video are the two most informational things I’ve seen about using a flash. I shoot film, and I love using flash after watching these videos. I even thought of you as I whipped out my flash to use as a filler when shooting “rollerz” of drift cars drifting at a track. But seriously, these videos made me feel so confident walking in to the weddings that I’ve shot shooting film with a flash. 💜

[@punknugget561]

Amazing that you don't use a flash meter instead, so you don't use the flash as much. But rather the other way around. The way I would do it. For some reason I feel that it's best to do it the way you're teaching because every place that you shoot your pics, are going to be in different places that need to do it that way, through a touch-n-go process. Adding, or taking away only what's needed. Again, good video.

[@punknugget561]

I just got the Neewer Z2 and when I saw you Turing the apex of the flash I was very impressed that you could do that, as I thought (you too), had the Neewer Z1 model. Not realizing that it was the Godox V1. Then I was able to turn my Neewer Z2 as well. Glad. was able to make that purchase for this new flash that only cost $150 (with a "flash" sale of $40.00 off), Brand New from Amazon. Thanks for doing that, because I would have never known that I could've done that.

[@henryhofmann8597]

I was looking at your subscriptions and couldn’t believe there weren’t over a 100k, more people should see your videos! Thank you very much!

[@lindadyke2336]

I have watched three of your other videos. They are probably the best videos I have watched on photography! I am mostly a family/portrait photographer, however, I do an occassional small wedding. I wish I had come across your wedding and flash video before. Not that the shoots were bad, but I think I could have used a few of your "tips" to have a better experience. The weddings were simple, however, there was no organization on the bride's part. They were trying to do everthing!! So needless to say, I was working with a stressed, overheated, (I live in Florida) and hicups along the way. I certainly notice the difference in the outcome of my shoots. Anyway, I am so glad I discovered your videos. I have another small wedding (75 guests) coming up in October, however, this time, there is a wedding planner, so I hope this will lighten the stress on the bride and myself! Thank you again for sharing these!

[@valtebrunorcoelho]

I think there is a correction to be made. The bounce flash nightmare is not a Black ceilling or wall, it is (almost) any kind of wood. Black does not color cast, therefore you only loose power output. The real problem is the horrible color cast that bouncing out of wood projects. That is, indeed, the true nightmare of bounce flash.

[@Garbid]

I had sealing wich is dirty blue colour with very small (1 inch) led lights pointed directly down in restaurant with very could temperature and big bra in the middle with very warm temperature)))) no way to bounce, no way to shoot with natural light. Ended up using shoot through umbrella and black and white. Only stage didn't had that sealing and lights)

[@lukewtcleland]

haha that is true. wood is the WORST.

[@lukewtcleland]

ouch. ROUGH.

[@Timelapse-so3hc]

What are some suggestions to correct for color cast?

[@MarcoLoforte]

I agree. good video.

[@marcschillinger3717]

Fantastic video Luke. I think my personal work is so much better since i use flash when needed. I would love to see a more in depth video where you show your technique in detail.

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! Totally! I may be working on it! :)

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

Second!

[@SevenSpringsStudios]

Brilliant video thank you :)) love the technique of getting the ambient exposure right first and using manual on the flash . I always have a nightmare with TTL ! Also the fact you can use a lot higher iso now is a massive game changer :))

[@jean2083]

"Oh my God! I love your video! It's so easy to understand the way you explained it, especially when you showed a sample of how it works. Thank you so much, and I can't wait to see you show what happens behind the scenes on the wedding day."

[@vishweshwarkandalgaonkar4620]

You are a great person. You solved all my flash photography queries. I will definitely try. Nice presentation. You like to teach people. Thanks for sharing valuable knowledge. Good luck for future.

[@TiffanyRingwood]

Excellent video. Any opinion on the Gary Fong light sphere? I rely on that so much because I’ve been nervous to bounce on wall. I’m an idiot I know 😂

[@ninalaflamme278]

Just stumbled across your channel and I love the way you teach! I've been using bounce flash for a long time now and appreciate your methods. One thing that I'm hung up on with flash is the mixing of colour temperatures (ambient vs flash) and I'd love to know how you manage that in your edits.

[@lukewtcleland]

Thanks so much! Glad the videos helped! Coming in a later video!

[@ShadesofBren]

Really loving your vidoes!

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! Glad you like them!

[@stephenkent9287]

Love your informative videos. Thanks

[@lukewtcleland]

Glad you like them!

[@dingleberry4896]

Shooting my first wedding this Saturday and I’m so glad I found this video 😅

[@MrJohnHimself]

How did it go?

[@LouisLuzuka]

I’m definitely going to try this 😮

[@matrixate]

Video starts at 3:30

[@ljubagrishkina7846]

My goodness, I learned so much from this video.....

[@Liubov90]

Great video, thank you very much!

[@caleidoo]

Bounce is the way to go - if you need to flash. Unless you're in venue with black matt ceiling and black curtains all round. That hurts. But even then, I take my flash in my hand and change the direction of the flash, with a wireless trigger. After years of experience with bouncing, you get to the point where you can light someone up seemingly in a studio setting, but you balanced available light with directional bounce light. It's also the main reason why I don't get the hype about the V1. If you bounce most of the time, you have no benefit whatsoever with the "nice fall off" of the round head flash - which you'll only notice if you shoot someone against a wall that is close - straigh out in front, no bounce. You're better of with the normal version, the Godox V860III if you bounce. It's slightly more powerfull, mostly because unlike the V1, the flashhead can be zoomed in all the way to 200mm. It's a normal flash head and everything else is identical to the V1. This way you can really direct your bounce flash more instead of lighting up the whole room.

[@lukewtcleland]

Totally! Great thoughts! 👍🏻

[@marcschillinger3717]

I personally have choosen the V1 because of the easy handling with the magnetic modifiers.

[@caleidoo]

@@marcschillinger3717 I can understand that. But to me and for my use, that magnet is too weak. I would drop or loose the modifiers all the time. I want my modifiers or filters screwed in or clipped on. I always put my flashes into the Godox S type bracket and use bowens mount accessories. Sturdy. And to fair, I use two AD200 pros in the S bracket for any work with modifiers. I only use V860III and Nikon SB-910 for bounce work. The AD200 is Godox' most versatile flash. It also has a round head option, the H200R, with magnetic ring.

[@davidtucker2447]

@@caleidooexcellent comments. Thanks! Just a heads up, “loose” is when something is not tight it’s too “loose”. The word you’re looking for is “lose”. Hope that’s helpful.

[@rainerwunderlich8023]

This ist quite common - then you can't avoid using a bouncer attached to the flash, for example like a Rogue Flashbender, or a Lastolite Eazy-Box , or a diffusor dome, or an umbrella...this story too seldom told.Greets

[@ftinungki]

I wish I found your videos sooner!! This was SO helpful!!

[@naturalphotographynepal]

Machikney thank you

[@tiarnilynette]

amazing! thank you so much!

[@importjs11]

That's helpful! thank you

[@sandyb-6595]

This was very helpful to me. Thank you.

[@lukewtcleland]

Glad to hear!

[@DebbieWatkins133]

Good tip to use window light thank you

[@julianstelzl]

Very helpful video! Can you recommend what to do when you are in the middle of a large room? Then it only makes sense to bounce from the ceiling right?

[@AShehaj]

Maybe off flash . Using the flash on a tripod with a trigger on camera

[@Someone38482]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@spsphotography]

Very good video! This is what I am looking to achieve for my work. I was wondering if you are using multiple flash during a wedding? If yes I'll be very interesting to know how you make it work!

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! That’s great! No I stick to just 1 flash.

[@scrptwic]

That why I got away from Pentax flash units and went to Godex flash units because they have a swivel head versus a a fixed forward head on my Pentax flash units. Somebody gave me a set of cheap Chinese flash triggers so I experimented with them and could only use the flash wide open as it would not work on TTL . I am now looking into getting a second Godex flash unit and Godex flash trigger

[@lacywood3956]

Great video and I love your photographs! Just curious, how would you go about shooting in an outdoor setting at nighttime? How do I get the same soft look?

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you!! Oooo. Yes. Outdoor and nighttime - the true nightmare. So to make this short enough to reply in a comment, you just need a large surface. You can't make soft light without a large surface, it's not possible. But if you have an outdoor wall or something to bounce the light it would give that soft look!

[@OneElevenMediaCo]

This was definitely helpful! So what would you do if you are at a venue with dark wood and black ceilings 😅 unfortunately I’ve encountered this a lot and would like your perspective on how to use flash in those scenarios

[@rainerwunderlich8023]

@OneElevenMediaCo This ist quite common - then you can't avoid using a bouncer attached to the flash, for example like a Rogue Flashbender, or a Lastolite Eazy-Box , or a diffusor dome, this story too seldom told.Greets

[@JB12132]

Awesome videos - always thought about buying one but not found one video that makes it clear and simple. I followed the link to Amazon for your flash but it lands on a page of many versions with considerable price differences. Which one is yours? Many thanks 🙏🏻

[@sanjaythanki1732]

Very good video useful information thank you 🙏😊

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@jesuscarrillo5129]

Im already following you I have a question what would’ve the settings for white balance whit Flash

[@viciwo3396]

Another winner here!!!

[@nickcarneyphotography]

Have you tried MagMod products? I really like the MagSphere honestly. Light is so much less harsh.

[@lukewtcleland]

I used gary fong stuff back in the day, and I'm not a big fan of small modifiers. Actually, I'll be making a video about them.

[@rajeshshaw8745]

verry helpful sir thanks

[@patrikvargovcak8788]

Hi Luke, and what about group photos?

[@krisperry72]

I’ve been shooting this way for years. Never point my flash at the subject unless I’m using strobes and soft boxes.

[@photoxouqphotography7976]

Wood will bounce real bad light so keep a reflector handy or go prime been there done that, some venues have white ceilings and walls what a dream 😅

[@laurendelosreyes9615]

Do you just have on camera flash or do you use off camera flashes?

[@Aperazzo_Salsa_Pics]

I am quite shocked you’d advise people starting to use flash at weddings to learn through trial and error. Using manual settings when you are a seasoned pro: sure. But a beginner? How many ruined crucial shots during a wedding do you estimate the Bride will joyfully accept cause the photog was in the process of learning? Full manual is for studiowork where is light conditions are stable. During a wedding things change from minute to minute and a starter van never keep up with setting up the flash or camera.

[@deanoplym]

Yep. TTL all the way, especially at wedding receptions in low light and varying situations.

[@rainerwunderlich8023]

Sorry, cou can't go to wedding photography wether as a beginner nor a pro without trying out the light settings at the location, where you'll find a environment, that can end badly.Greets

[@AKSKMY]

Actually if you use the magmod then you can point directly isn't it?

[@HamdaniOvais]

Good video 👍 can you share you editing workflow. Low contrast, hazy, and natural... Nit my type but looks great 👍

[@valtebrunorcoelho]

+1

[@lukewtcleland]

thanks!

[@NomadsHeartBlog]

What if you use the magmod, can you point directly at the subject?

[@antonio090688]

With a magmod, it’s a lot better! I still wouldn’t point it directly to the subject.

[@milannech]

Hi Luke, I have a question. I get that the look with bouncing might be nicer, softer but the biggest issue I always deal with at weddings and events is the need to switch between portrait and landscape while constantly moving around, capturing everything. There isn’t time to adjust the flash for bouncing between portrait and landscape (as the direction of flash would differ) or to change the power for each shot because the subject’s distance or wall proximity changes. That's why I never use bounce flash since half of the images would be ruined. When using direct flash with a diffuser and TTL, the power adjusts automatically and most of the pictures turn out great. So my question is how do you go about switching so fast all of the settings so you don't miss any of the action and keep all the pics exposed correctly? Thanks M.

[@lukewtcleland]

Hey! So this is pretty hard to answer quickly, and actually I've been trying to put together a course that will go deeper into how to do all of this with flash. But simple, it takes some planning ahead of time. First, yes it is hard to constantly be switching between portrait and landscape. But I've learned to plan in a way to minimize the amount I need to switch. In terms of the power of the flash, I make the balance lighter on the flash, and heavier on the ambient light, so the flash is not a major aspect of exposing it correctly. You can actually use TTL to bounce, and bump up the exposure compensation. Hope that helps!!

[@lindenwatson846]

Great advice!

[@oluobasanu4299]

What do I do when the walls are far away?

[@lukewtcleland]

Zoom your flash to like 105mm, power it up, maybe to full power and aim it at the wall!

[@harshadmokashi9944]

Great video.... 🤗

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@linusfotograf]

I feel like I can’t trust my flash. It’s the second flash I own and sometimes it doesn’t fire even though it has new batteries in it. What could be the reason?

[@lukewtcleland]

Weird! What kind of flash is it? Maybe there's something wrong with the hot shoe on top of your camera? Have you tried the flash on different cameras? I know mine had some issues firing, but the flash was pretty old.

[@jillschindel2832]

Possibly has to do with the refresh rate of your flash. With my speedlight I would occasionally run into this issue. With my Godox AD200 pro strobe I never do.

[@linusfotograf]

@@lukewtcleland I haven’t tried it on any other camera. It’s a Canon 600EX-RT. I use it with my Canon 1DX Mark II

[@linusfotograf]

@@jillschindel2832 It’s a Canon 600EX-RT. It’s a mid range flash I believe. It’s not like I shoot burst with it. I’ve been at events and felt totally embarrased when it won’t go off and I have to ask people for more shots for them to not work either. I stopped bringing it with me

[@jillschindel2832]

@@linusfotograf yikes, yeah I definitely wouldn't expect that behavior from the 600.

[@superemesean5907]

This guy is crapping on people not using their flash correctly, while literally blending in with his white background because he can’t properly light his videos 😂 🤦🏾‍♂️