Compensating for bounce flash

[kirbym2]

Hi everyone,

How many stops is the general consensus here. Do I just stick with the gn and flash output based on aperture and flash to subject distance, or do I increase by a couple of stops?

Thanks!

 

[greybeard]

At least 2 stops. The beauty of digital, you can test first. It all depends on how high the ceiling is.

 

[djacobox372]

two things to consider:

1) how far the light is traveling, when bouncing the distance from flash to subject includes the bounce.

2) how reflective the bounce surface is, a white ceiling will absorb about 0.5 - 1 stop.

 

[gsgary]

It all depends what you are bouncing off, white paint will only reflect 85% of the light, grey will deflect between 5% and 50%, but you have to remember that light rebounds at an angle which corresponds exactly with the angle of its incidence

 

[kirbym2]

Great info everyone. Much appreciated!

 

[manaheim]

Also keep an eye on the angle of the ceiling and watch for "partitioned" sections where your flash will bounce behind a piece of wall that will obstruct the light from the subject.

Personally, I actually find in a higher ceilinged room that a good choice is to bump up the ISO a little. (800 usually works well) It keeps the flash from killing itself keeping up and you get better overall fill in the picture.