Now there is one feature I would consider strongly and a must if you are using it for 35mm or a digital slr. Some brackets have the ability to have the camera turn to the vertical position so you can take a portrait , without the flash changing position. Now if you are using say a 6x6 medium format camera, this won't matter.
If there is any where near you that you can try a few different models, that's best. What person thinks is the perfect fit and balance for them is just awful for the next person. Stroboframe is one that seems to be popular and common. I have even made a couple myself from copper plumbing pipe and pipe insulation to a better choice was a hardwood that was stained like a piece of furniture. That is the tinkerer in me though and if it were just money Id have been better off with a stroboframe.
Perhaps others can share what particular frames they like that might help.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Flash Photography
From: Galen A Grimes <gag5@xxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, June 19, 2009 7:49 pm
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
I have been reading this thread with a lot of interest. I have a job in
October shooting a Jazz benefit. The photography part doesn't bother me,
but I was intrigued by the comment in this message advising for the use
of a flash bracket. Can anyone recommend a flash bracket that works with
Nikon equipment? I have a Nikon D300 and a Nikon SB-900 flash.
Thanks in advance,
Galen
mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Ok if you have decided to do it, a couple of other pieces of advise.
> Go ahead of time, and since its in their backyard, go test and test
> often. You have been given an opportunity to learn. You have till
> the fall to learn what works for you. Yet on that day, unless you can
> afford the time for a throw away photo, don't guess what a photo will
> look like. Use only procedures where you have tested it an KNOW what
> is going to happen.
>
> Don't count on much from disposables. Even if they do get the lucky
> photo, I read somewhere a while back when they broke down the cost to
> make those things they figured out the lens was worth about 27 cents.
> They shouldn't get anything close to what you do which is why most
> pros don't mind it. Think of it this way. It doesn't matter if you
> have one bag of garbage or ten bags of garbage, all you have is a pile
> of garbage. Only the size is different. You may be able to improve
> it, just as you can sometimes help the stink with a pile of garbage,
> but it will still be what it is.
>
> On the equipment front, the one investment I would suggest that you
> make either through purchase or rental is to get the flash off
> camera. You can do this with a minimal expense usually. The cords
> are not that expensive. This will also require a bracket for the
> flash and camera. The low end probably runs about $40 to $50 US and
> once you have it, you will wonder how you did without it. Getting the
> flash off camera is the single one thing I believe one can do to
> improve the results.
>
> Now the testing and learning you do in the mean time should help you
> with the one thing you need the most and that is confidence. Now you
> will learn when to let the event take place, and then to stand up and
> lead with a smile. A confident photographer with a smile on their
> face can get people to help them get the photos you need and the bride
> wants. That you will figure out. I wish you luck
>
> Mark
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: RE: Flash Photography
> From: Gregory Fraser <Gregory.Fraser@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Fri, June 19, 2009 8:56 am
> To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
> <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
> > Ask yourself, IF I need to ask these types of questions of flash, am
> I really ready to accept a wedding in the first place?
>
> Yes Mark, an excellent question. Before I agreed to shoot this
> wedding I
> made it perfectly clear to the bride that, unlike a pro, I have no
> backup equipment and the equipment I do have is not professional
> grade.
> If I have a failure with either the camera, media cards or
> possibly even
> my PC, everything could be lost. I also have precious little
> experience.
> What I can do, when everything works out, is sometimes take a better
> photo than her mother can with a p&s.
>
> For this wedding the bride and groom are on their second shot at
> marriage, the event will be in their back yard, dress code is
> shorts and
> t-shirts and they are going to buy a pile of disposable cameras to
> give
> to the guests to use during the ceremony so if I fail, they should
> still
> have plenty of shots.
>
> Greg
>
