On-camera bounce flash tutorial

[@neilvn]

Let me know if there are any topics you'd like me to delve into.

[@thomascotney375]

I’ve wasted hundreds even thousands of dollars, read books, watched u-tube, etc., Don’t make my mistake! Stop buying gimmicks and pay attention to Neil. He’s the real deal.

[@bobbullethalf]

I am starting the wonderful journey into photography and I thought I would have to spend thousands also but I am glad that I don’t have to go down that road with the right advice and guidance.

[@nicolecole2310]

I count myself blessed to have found tutorials he had posted online years ago when I was learning on camera flash. He is a master of this subject and able to articulate it to others.

[@pianoman6639]

Couldn’t agree more . My eyes are open after a very long time

[@williamshakespeare9815]

Agree. He explains everything then shows how they work. And his explinations make it easy to understand.

[@MinoltaCamera]

It's simple: Neil is a pro photographer with decades of experience. Others are just influencers that starts a year ago and takes photos for free once a month. I know who to believe

[@thegirlwholeftthefridgeopen]

This was like a years worth of photography class in one video!! So good

[@eoslove2022]

I have NEVER, NEVER received this level of training from ANY KZbin video on this subject in the last ten years. My hat is off to you sir! This instruction is of the highest pedantic level I've EVER experienced from a KZbin video. Watching this presentation was as if I were attending a formal lecture, especially considering the professorial manner of your delivery,,,so grateful to have stumbled across your channel! Subscribed.

[@neilvn]

Thank you! This might be the very best compliment I have ever received.

[@blindsouris]

Agree with you but careful the double meaning of Pedantic : Pedantic is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their ...

[@Emerald_City_]

@@neilvn except for "pedantic" I stand behind his/her every word too

[@si4621]

One of the worst things KZbin has done is this push to make videos so long which has lead to people waffling on and not actually telling you anything they claim in the title. Not this video though. This is one is of the few videos that delivers 100% as promised. It's an hour of actual usefulness. The detail and teaching in here is awesome. Thank you.

[@MattInWA]

At a couple of weeks before my 43rd birthday, I'm studying photography. I've always been interested in photography, but I've never really studied it. I picked up a 15 year old DSLR and some used speedlights, and am having so much fun. The top comment on this video remarks on the unmatched quality of instruction and explanation given here, and I can't say it better. Fantastic work Neil, thank you for this! KZbin University for yhe win!

[@samuelsmith6804]

This is such a good tutorial. Not only the best flash photography class, but the best photography tutorial on KZbin of any kind.

[@bobvh3505]

I purchased his book many years ago and am still grateful for the info.

[@neilvn]

Thank you for the support.

[@DamianBrown]

The man who made it all make sense to me, properly, many years ago. The only reference for on camera flash needed.

[@gordon1201]

Incredible video! The examples with the comparison of flash and no flash and the different orientations of flash are just perfect to illustrate exactly how it works!

[@dearrratboy]

I majored in photography and didn’t learn as much practical photography technique than I have in this one hour video. 🤯 Amazing. Thank you so much!

[@neilvn]

This a lovely compliment! Thank you.

[@dearrratboy]

@@neilvn Neil, I gotta say, I just shot an awards event and used your techniques, and they were amazing! My shoot partner and I have been cheering your name all night 🙌🏻😂 Neil!!!🙏🏻🥳

[@neilvn]

@@dearrratboy - and the crazy thing is that the technique is that simple!

[@ActuallySettle]

I'm definitely an amateur, but learning to control light was a revelation to me. It's interesting to me how a cheap flash head and a piece of felt are more consequential to making arresting or professional looking photographs than any lens or camera. It's almost liberating how little gear makes a difference; a single speedlight can do so much. A little while ago I needed to take some headshots of myself and I had this whole setup with light modifiers and softboxes and when it occured to me that I could make a huge softbox simply by aiming the flash at a wall, and one at a ceiling, it was really empowering. I was always afraid of the bare flash but it's incredible how empowering it is to use it to illuminate your environment. You start to see opportunities to use indirect flash in almost all circumstances, especially since they almost always result in incredibly sharp images with accurate color, compared to mixed interior lighting anyway,

[@neilvn]

Yup, one level it really is that simple AND dramatic a difference.

[@borkborkbork]

Easily the best speedlight tutorial I've seen. Thank you so much for making it!

[@caltari]

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Excellent teacher, now time to play.

[@Mariosyjp]

It is unbelievable that this tutorial is offered for free! I only wish it covered blending ambient and flash light.

[@neilvn]

There will be more tutorials which will cover that topic. :)

[@Dan-uy2ld]

Putting this out for free is amazing. Thank you so much. I'm sure the couples who's weddings I shoot will be very thankful I've watched this!

[@michaelspahn3675]

I'm a hobby photografer since 2008, but never saw a so simple bounce and TTL lesson before. thx so much.

[@SathielShoots]

This is, by far, the best flash photography tutorial I have ever seen. Huge thank you Neil, I really appreciate your work!

[@joerichard171]

I couldn’t’ agree more on the positive reviews of this and your other videos Neil. I’ve been an enthusiastic photo hobbyist since the mid 80’s, but flash photography was never my thing. Never dedicated enough time to learn it properly, then came your videos and the Black Foamy Thing… this changed everything. Bought some black foam, grabbed my Godox flash and first time out… TaDa, wonderful illuminated images. Can’t thank you enough.

[@neilvn]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad things are coming together for you.

[@Ch0razin]

I saved this ages ago, and recently got my first real big boy on body flash. I was playing around with it and a bounce card and wasn't happy with the look. Remembered this video, watched it with camera in hand, and 10 minutes in I was already taking better shots by pointing it behind me to bounce. Incredible video, so glad I remembered this.

[@Maz3-1]

Brilliant explanation, especially the bounced light v fall-off and why group of people will be lit fairly similarly. That was definitely a nugget of information which you only gleam through experimentation, trial and error, luck and experience; or skip the queue and listen to your explanation and then remember it!! 😂 Thank you!

[@hepcat4202]

For years I've been seeing videos using flash socks/soft boxes, diffusers, bounce cards... they talk about getting the flash off of the camera, triggers, etc, etc. All of it seemed daunting for someone whose flash skills are pretty much non-existent. The thought of more gear and choosing what gear has always been freezing me up and pushng me away from portraiture. Your use and explanation of using TTL, bounce and a piece of black foam is bringing me back to learning how to better utilize the minimal kit I have. Thanks so much. Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more of your channel. Great video.

[@neilvn]

I'm glad I could make flash photography accessible.

[@ericlarson6180]

Best tutorial on bounce flash I’ve seen! Connects all the dots. Thank you!

[@USAphotoguy51]

I have been retired from sports and wedding photography for about 7 years. I can no longer stand it, and am planning on getting back in the game bigger than every before. I considered myself a very successful photographer, but listening to Neil steps up the process so much. Thank you Neil I will be purchasing all of your books ASAP…

[@kifley19]

I would always shoot straight up to the ceiling with a dome on my flash. This video just showed me that I was doing it wrong this whole time. Thanks for the great tips Neil. This will definitely make my pictures look better.

[@jkennan]

Tremendous advice. So many flash tutorials concentrate on off-camera flash but that’s often impractical at crowded events.

[@Brinkand]

Thank you for a great guide to bounce flash. I tried this out recently at a Christmas charity event, and I never got better pictures in this kind of setting. I used aperture priority on my Olympus OM1 mark ii, ISO 800 to fit the ambient light and gelled with 1/4 CTO which worked across the different ambient lighting situations. The foamy thing did the difference, and I was free to interact.

[@DerickS-b7t]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This tutorial is superb! I have watched the shorter video on the same subject and now this one. I bought my speedlight flash in 2020, but until now it was nothing but a scary tool -- it ruined many photos. Now that I have learned about on-camera bounce flash I am finally becoming near what I think is pro-level flash photography. Thank you! I wish you all the best!

[@joachimmathijs1608]

One of the best tutorials I've seen in the 3 yrs that I'm studying photography! You've got a new and excited subscriber. Learned more in an hour here than in half a year...

[@neilvn]

Thank you for the k ind words.

[@kevinarmstrong3415]

This has been a very helpful start to my use of speed lights. Thank you!

[@JaapKroon]

This is the best lesson I had about on flash photography. Many thanks.

[@david_uk]

This is a brilliant lesson. Thank you so much for sharing your experience in such a simple, logical way. I went straight to the store to buy some black foam!

[@mauricezammit2744]

Neil,great presentation, many thanks for the great tutorial.

[@FilleYT]

Nice explaned, very clear thanks!

[@scottnorland4214]

Really excellent explanation and demonstration. I setup a test with my son's stuffed animals in a small room to test. Was able to follow and see the differences. Thank you!

[@kiisaki]

Thanks Neil. Very informative. I got answers for details i was looking for in other videos but could never find. Please keep doing it. These are really educational videos, not just time wasters, repeating the very basics.

[@victoriajeanlua7845]

GAME CHANGING for weddings. Thank you so much for such a great tutorial

[@wolfgangklebel9676]

The BEST video about using on camera flash I have EVER seen! Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

[@lutzoberlander7785]

You don't imagine how thankful I am, Neil, for this video. I finally get some good indoor shots with bounce flash, and you don't imagine for how long I've tried. That trick with the black foam is stupid, simple and best of all incredibly efficient and it costs close to nothing. I also ordered CTS gels instead of the CTO that is on my Nikon flash, and I confirm that people are less red.

[@j4n0sp]

Thank you Neil, very clearly explained and well demonstrated!

[@mstrathmore]

Thank you, this was a brilliant video! As much as I respect (and envy, to be honest) folks who are principally in the business of KZbin, this video shows the clear difference when someone is principally a working photographer.

[@neilvn]

Thank you for the kind words. And yes, I would like to think the material has practical use for everyone.

[@rickevertsz]

This is superb. I've watched SO many tutorials and read so many books, but nothing comes close to this. The advice presented here is a perfect fit for what I have been trying to achieve, and it's so easy to apply. In essence, how to achieve great lighting with the simplest of setups. Grids, domes, all that stuff... tried them all. I just tried the foam/bounce/occlusion idea shown here, and muttered "FINALLY". I can't believe such a simple technique can produce such lovely results. Oh well, at least this video has only been up for a year. I don't feel so bad for having missed out on this approach for so long :)

[@neilvn]

I am glad the tutorial has such impact. Please put the word out there to others.

[@viciwo3396]

Not sure how many times I've watched this tutorial over the last few months while practicing mastering on-camera flash. Very practical tutorial!

[@GlorydaysHigh]

I've watched many videos on how to use my on camera flash and this is the BEST EVER! Kudos! Very useful.

[@oje101]

Wow. Thank you sir.. I always thought I had to but expensive large lights, I know they're great to have in a studio but when on location I dread the idea of having to carry all of that gear. And how cumbersome set up would be. You've really inspired me to be bold and just learn to use my speedlite.. thank you

[@souljah9e]

Thank you so very much for this. You made everything so simple and easy to understand am truly grateful.

[@jimmyderaime2784]

I've just watched the 2 bouncing flash tutorial late this evening and I can't wait for tomorrow to test this. Thanks a lot for this simple and clearest demo. Bravo !

[@vladimir.mandic]

wow this is the best flash tutorial I ever seen on youtube , thank you Neil 🙂🙂📸📸

[@JetsetJive7]

This is by far the best Bounce flash video I've seen !! thanks Neil

[@pianoman6639]

Absolutely amazing this video has opened my eyes to many things from technique etc to stop spending thousands on equipment which is not needed . Can’t thank you enough and will be watching this many times . Sincere thanks Neil

[@igg5589]

Thanks for sharing! I just thought that maybe if that peace of black foam had reflective side inside (i.e. paper/foil) maybe it would help even more, as significant part of light would be bounced of it not absorbed. Theoretically this could help use less power and prolong battery life

[@neilvn]

Adding a reflective part to the black foam would definitely make it more efficient ... HOWEVER, the idea behind the black foam is that it acts as a flag. Not a flash modifier per se. With the black foamie thing / flag, I want to control the DIRECTION of the light that I am bouncing. If I use a white card or some metallic reflector inside the flag, it would throw light up towards the ceiling again ... which is light from the lens axis again, somewhat defeating the idea behind using the black foam as a flag.

[@ModelRectifierCorpNJ]

Since I have a TT600 I would love to see a tutorial for a non-TTL flash

[@neilvn]

There should be enough in this tutorial to help you already, but I'll add this to the list to make one specific for manual flash.

[@ronclarke8546]

Excellent tutorial! Substance over flashy influencers!

[@shawnhinton68]

Absolute best tutorial on KZbin on flash photography!! Thanks Neil!!

[@dance2jam]

Thanks for the video, Neil. I really do not have a vantage point yet from which to speak as I've just recently purchased my first strobe and modifier. I normally shoot wildlife, but have started venturing into portrait type work. That said, based on my wildlife work, someone asked me to photograph their Mother's 90th birthday party (over my objections). The reason I'm leaving this comment is because I used a plastic diffusion dome (ceilings were 16-20 feet high, location was dark, walls were dark and far from the subjects). So I pointed the speedlite directly at folks, shot at the sync speed (for the most part), and used several lenses - but primarily the 200mm f2 for isolated shots at the venue. It was the diffusion dome that came with the Nikon SB-700 flash, so it didn't cost anything extra. The point of this comment was that at the distance I was shooting, the strobe on top of camera - pointed right at the subject - with plastic diffusion dome provided very soft light and wonderful illumination (i.e. the flash shots did not look like flash shots). I bring this up because I'm sure you are aware that the minute you mention using "on camera flash" - you get dirty looks. Now, with you comments at about 10 minutes into this video, using a plastic diffusion dome will get even more. I do understand your point. Just saying that the "clients" were exceedingly happy with the images - and they surprised me - because I never saw myself using OCF with a diffusion dome. Sometimes, it can work. Again, thank you very much for the video.

[@dance2jam]

Thanks for coming back one year later (after I left that comment). I'm still shooting predominately wildlife, however, I'm picking up more portraits and practicing lighting on my mannequin. Also starting to get a bit more comfortable with directing (i.e. posing) my subject and experimenting. STill appreciate your video for providing some early direction. Stay well.

[@adambomb8841]

This teaching worth hundreds and one of the most hands on tutorials i have come across that goes over flash and how to bounce your flash. I'm super excited to get to use these lessons. Thank you!

[@amitgiri3869]

I have been through hundreds and hundreds of KZbin videos, but none of have described such a way that you have done thankyou sir this was really worth watching and gaining some knowledge about external flash light hats off to you sir all the way from Nepal.

[@neilvn]

Thank you for the kind words. I am glad this tutorial was of such help.

[@rahimresad7045]

Thank you for this insightful and educational video! I watched hundreds, if not thousands, of videos, and this is the one I loved the most!

[@JeremieTisseau]

Great video. Just bought my first flash online and waiting to try all these tips.

[@frankfavale3872]

This video was amazing, I’ve learned a lot. Thanks

[@MelbourneOldFashioned]

Thanks so very much Neil for this wonderful video tutorial. I have the sphere and bounce from MagMod but I shall also invest in the BFT and leave the diffusers for dark situations like you do.

[@markieoliver]

My photography heroes are Bryan Peterson, David Hobby, and Neil Van Neirkerk. I have been using this black foamy thing for a decade now and it’s probably one of the best lighting techniques I’ve ever learned. It’s so good that I watched the whole 56:34 even though I knew this technique by heart. A lot of other photographers thought I was weird mediocre though especially when they see the rubber band and the black foam but become surprised when they see the back of my LCD😊

[@neilvn]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@jjjjmusic]

Can you explain exactly how it was made? Did you glue the rubber bands on the foam?

[@neilvn]

@@jjjjmusic --- the black foam needs to be able to be shifted up and down. So it is just the pressure from the hairbands that holds it in place. Check here for mode details and more examples: neilvn.com/tangents/about/black-foamie-thing/

[@jjjjmusic]

@@neilvnthank you sir. When I found your video, it made such sense to me and it clicked. I need more of your videos, please. Lol

[@ElectricBrainMedia]

Thank You!!!

[@hendrinavos9456]

Really found this very interesting and helpful. Much better than trying to faff around with lots of bits and pieces when you usually do not have the time to do so for those special unposed candid moments. Thanks

[@GoodyMorillas]

What an incredible tutorial. These type of long tutorials are worth it, no time wasting. Q: the foamy thing, can we use a black cardboard?

[@neilvn]

Hi there -- thank you for the kind words. You could use anything to flag your flash, and control the direction of how the light spills.

[@JohnBrown-hc7ue]

Fantastic tutorial, explained clearly especially about the inverse square law indoors, well done Neil and thank you! John

[@TigerMou]

I really love all of the examples with comparisons! Great video!

[@MrBritishGent]

The only tutorial on on-camera flash you need!

[@Muzeishen]

This is so thorough! Thank you thank You thank you!!

[@sunnbike1629]

Gold standard lesson. Congratulations!

[@andydavis8846]

Thanks so much for the new tutorial. It's reminded me to rewatch all your earlier videos.

[@mikebennett4922]

A superb tutorial and fabulous teacher thank you ive learnt so much..

[@chrysteyan]

Thank you Neil, that was the most well explained flash tutorial I ever watched...and I watched a lot, thank you sir 🙏, great video!

[@dentReviews]

how is this technique not more widely taught? the results are superb and it's so simple...

[@neilvn]

That’s the beauty of all this - the technique is easily accessible to everyone.

[@prashantpawar8969]

Fantastic presentation.

[@kmulhall8233]

This is one of the best tutorials I've ever seen when it comes to this subject. Straightforward, streamlined. It looks like a very effective workflow. I'm definitely going to put the information here, to use and practice these techniques. Thank you.

[@tmewborn1]

Thank You Sir, Excellent!!! Best Video I have ever viewed on using a Speedlight Flash, I really appreciate your imoarting knowledge to us.

[@stephenwilsonbarker5236]

Neil van Niekerk is the GOAT

[@neilvn]

Aah, thank you! :)

[@normameyers4904]

I would love to see a lengthy presentation for using on camera and off camera flash for outdoor portraits.

[@eekamoose]

14:23 That photo of the trumpet player is exceptional. A stunningly good image. Wow.

[@neilvn]

Thank you! And the technique is so easy once you get how to control your on-camera flash. Anyone can do it.

[@eekamoose]

@@neilvn For years I’ve used a home-made diffuser using Ikea drawer liner (a trick that you probably know about, let me know if you don’t) and I’ve been happy with the results, but using the technique that you demonstrate adds depth and contours to the image of a face that the diffuser can’t. Your photos are awesome, I hope your clients appreciate just how good those images are!

[@DazLane123]

Fantastic Video Neil

[@stephencifka4629]

This such a fantastic video and resource. Simple, practical, well-explained. Absolutely the best bounce flash info I've come across, ever. Question: do you leave the flash zoom at standard setting and just use the black foam to control the spread of the light beam?

[@neilvn]

I usually zoom as tight as I can, for two reasons: 1. The bounce flash will already be a soft light source, even with a tight zoom. 2. When I use the black foamy thing as my flash modifier, a wide zoom setting would mean too much of the light gets eaten up by the black foam.

[@azonphoto4197]

Just brilliant!!!

[@bassamtarabay9723]

Thank you Neil. Excellent video, extremely well explained.

[@bogieman8]

Neil, if shooting outdoor, how can we make the bounce work better, especially if there aren't many surfaces to bounce off. Excellent sharing and thanks for making shooting with a flash less intimidating.

[@neilvn]

If you are outdoors, your best option by far is to use off-camera lighting. Finding places outside that you can feasibly bounce flash off when the light levels are low, would limit your position and your background and the subject's posing / positioning.

[@LarryFasnacht]

I wish you'd go more into how you decide which S/A/I you use. Are you using manual for that? How do you keep up with that when the situation is dynamic?

[@neilvn]

I always shoot in Manual Exposure mode on my camera. The specific balance between the choices of shutter speed and aperture and ISO, depends on this loose algorithm (that works for much of photography) .... you want enough depth-of-field, at a shutter speed where you freeze your subject to the extent you want (and avoid camera shake), at an ISO that you are comfortable with. For the most part when not photographing action, the choice of aperture is the dominant decision.

[@jhenry248]

From a fellow New Jersey citizen, excellent tutorial I have learned a lot. Thank you.

[@ungavaproductions]

Very interesting presentation with a lot of details. Thanks for sharing

[@jm3231]

Such a pleasant surprise to learn how you use bounce flash. Wow. Really great tutorial. Can't wait to try it out. I always thought you had to bounce from a white wall that was close to you and the subject.

[@karenluttrell2532]

Super resource! Very practical information that is useful for the real-world situations you'll encounter when not shooting in a full studio set up. It is also well-paced and well-taught. There is not a minute wasted on filler, but the information is shared through multiple examples and demonstrations at a pace that allows you to understand and absorb it.

[@duke4902]

Really enjoyed watching your Master Class, thank you very much !!! Surely, the multi million industry will not be quite happy now when you showed how to substitute expensive equipment with ....piece of black foam 😄. I just subscribed and thumbed up.

[@EAurora4]

You have been my “go to” for anything flash for years. This was a great tutorial. Really put it all together for me. Thank you.

[@unloadedone]

Thank you so much for this amazing video. I learned quite a bit as I usually use on camera flash a lot when shooting models in the studio as the places I rent space from have the big off camera strobes but they have been used and abused quite a bit and have stopped working mid shoot at times. I was getting better with bounce flash but this takes things to another level! It's also nice to see you using TTL and showing us how to get the most out of it. I have seen so many videos telling me to disable TTL because somehow it's bad or you're not being serious about flash photography if you use it. This has been nonsense from my experience but it's very hard to find videos on how to get the best performance from it. Thank you for putting this together. It will help me immensely.

[@1960ceramic]

A fantastic video, Neil! I can't say how much I appreciated everything you covered. I need to get that black foamy thing and hairbands now! Cheers from Canada!

[@ioannisandriotis7813]

Great info, and well explained. Many thanks!

[@jpalczewski]

really great stuff Neil ... such a beautiful way of showing a better and more natural image using on camera flash.... thank you

[@ScottThePisces]

Fantastic explainations!

[@edinburghaction5515]

watched the video, got inspired and bought a flash.

[@pierpaolocavalieri5650]

i got hypnotized......finally something interesting. Thank you

[@LuciaHewitt]

Thank you for such a wonderfully in-depth yet easy to understand tutorial! You have given great examples which I'm definitely going to try. My struggles with decent flash photography are real 😁