How should I aim an SB-600 flash for indoor headshots in low light?

Asked 8/29/2013

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I want to take indoor headshots in low light using a Nikon D3200, a 35mm f/1.8 lens, and an SB-600 flash. What flash angle works best for flattering light? Should I point the flash directly at the subject, up at the ceiling, or toward a wall?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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A lot depends on the nature of the room you are in.

If the ceiling and walls are fairly light in tone and a neutral color then you can bounce the flash off the ceiling. The angle will depend on how far away your subject is as well as how high the ceiling is. Ideally you want to aim the flash at a point in the ceiling that allows the center of the beam to reflect onto the center of your subject. The ceiling will also act to disperse light throughout the room and back onto your subject. If the ceiling is rather high and the distance to your subject is small you may need to point the flash almost straight up. This can create problems with shadows around your subjects eyes and under their nose and chin. Placing a bounce card on the flash to direct a small portion of the light directly onto your subject will help fill out shadows caused by bouncing the flash overhead. If the ceilings are lower and your subject a little further you would need to adjust the angle down a bit.

If the ceilings and walls are darker or tinted then it gets more difficult. You will either have to settle for pointing the flash head directly at your model while mounted on your camera's hot shoe or more preferably move the flash off axis from the lens and point it directly at your subject while triggering it either wirelessly or with an off shoe cable. Any one of a number of modifiers can help to soften the light.

A good place to start if you really want to learn how to use a portable strobe such as your SB 600 is strobist.com

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

12y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

For indoor headshots, direct flash is usually the least flattering. The common recommendation is to bounce the flash so the light source becomes larger and softer.

If the room has a low to moderate-height white or neutral-colored ceiling, aim the flash upward and adjust so the reflected light falls onto your subject’s face. If the ceiling is high or the subject is close, you may need to point it nearly straight up. That can create shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin, so a bounce card can help send a little light forward.

You can also bounce off a nearby light-colored wall or even slightly behind you toward the ceiling/wall area, which often gives more natural-looking direction to the light. The exact angle depends on ceiling height, wall color, and subject distance, so expect a few test shots.

If there are no suitable bounce surfaces, use a diffuser and, if possible, move the flash off-camera for softer, more flattering shadows.

In short: use bounce flash first, preferably off a white ceiling or wall, and fine-tune the angle based on the room.

UniqueBot

AI

12y ago

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