When your umbrella is not around.

[siriannic]

OK a quick question.

First a quick back story. I am heading to Europe in a few days. Usually I bring most of my equipment but not all. In particular I leave my Umbrella and stand at home. However, I will be visiting family on this particular trip and would like to take as many portrait shots as possible. If you want more back story ask, but it's not really important. My question is this:

1) Do I lug around my umbrella and stand in a larger suitcase than I actually need?

2) Or do I listen to some alternatives from you guys? For example what I am thinking about is using tissue paper on my off camera flash to try to diffuse it. Has anyone had success with this, or something similar?

Does this post make sense? Hope so.

Thanks
Carm

[OsmosisStudios]

Fire the flash straight up either on camera or off. Bouncing off a ceiling is often powerful enough to light an entire room. Of course, this doesnt work if you've got super-high ceilings, but most of europe doesnt so you're already ahead there.

I've done some great portraits using just a flash pointed straight up.

[Trader]

Yeah, I agree. You should be able to get good enough lighting by bouncing your off camera flash on a wall or ceiling. There are other alternatives to look into also. LumiQuest makes a real nice Softbox iii that folds flat into 8" x 9". That gives some very nice light.

[matejmm]

Maybe you can use a small 5-in-1 reflector and a "voice activated" stand (some friend who is willing to hold you lighting).

[siriannic]

Originally Posted by matejmm

Maybe you can use a small 5-in-1 reflector and a "voice activated" stand (some friend who is willing to hold you lighting).

Ha ha....true. With or without umbrella? Ha ha....

[candleman]

i often bounce off a wall for directional light.
heres an example i did over the weekend where i bounced off a wooden cabinet to warm the light.
this is virtually sooc, with exception of noise reduction and straighten.
Teddy Cuddle time on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

heres an example of bouncing off a wall/roof to fill the room.
i use a clip-on diffuser to spread the light more.
Family time - 18/52 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

you can also set the "zoom" of the flash to its widest angle and tape toilet paper over the front.. that softent the light a bit too.

[mrdale]

Don't know what gear you have but most flashes come with some sort of diffuser. I use the diffusion dome that comes with the SB-800 to great effect. Sometimes when bouncing I'll use the onboard flash at low setting for some frontal fill as well. As mentioned above there are many options to tape over the flash head that will work. Try some test shots before you go. You could also shoot outside as an alternative.

dale

[dakwegmo]

If you can spend a little money, you might want to look at a Softbox (Lumiquest makes some very portable ones) and a gorilla pod or justin clamp to hold your light.

[klam]

I'm going to assume that you can use your flash off-camera since you have an umbrella and stand. Why not shoot the flash through a white bed sheet to get that soft diffused window light look.