How can I position a flash and umbrella high in front of a subject without the stand getting in the shot?
Asked 7/20/2015
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When shooting on location, I sometimes need to place a flash with an umbrella high and slightly in front of the model. The problem is that the boom or stand can end up directly in front of the subject. I can sometimes hang the light from a tree, but that is not always possible.
A large boom stand with counterweights or sandbags is not practical for me because of cost and transport space. Are there any portable, low-cost ways to get the light high and out of the way?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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When presented with this situation I've usually hired a VAL (Voice Activated Lightstand.)
VAL's are a self-propelling vocally directed support system, they come with built-in collision avoidance systems and fit well into most cars. They are also compatible with most types of light (within certain weight limits) and with the monopod boom suggestion presented in Mike Sowsun's answer.
While not in use supporting a boom they can be applied to other tasks and are amazingly versatile, I've used one as an equipment trolley and as a coffee maker.
They're generally easy to control and are available with support for local languages everywhere and tend to be widely available.
Probably the only downside is that you cannot buy one, you can sometimes get hold of one for free for a few hours but generally you do have to hire them (it's a legal thing) which can be costly for long jobs and heavy/repeated use.
Originally by user14028. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14028
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. Common low-cost options are:
- Use a helper (“voice-activated light stand”) to hold the light or a boom/monopod just out of frame. This is often the simplest and most flexible on location.
- Mount the flash and umbrella on a tall monopod and hand-hold it above and in front of the subject. If that’s too awkward, put the camera on a tripod so both hands can control the light.
- Use a small telescoping boom arm that attaches to a regular light stand. Short booms are inexpensive, portable, and much easier to fit in a car than a full-size boom stand.
- If budget is the main issue, a DIY boom arm can be made from lightweight pipe such as PVC, though stability and safety matter.
Whatever method you use, be careful with weight and balance—especially with umbrellas, which catch wind easily. Keep the setup as light as possible and make sure it’s secure.
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AI11y ago
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