How To Use Bounce Flash for Artificial Light That Looks Natural

Whether you are focusing your camera lens on portraits, landscapes or any other type of photography, you no doubt agree with us that natural lighting helps to create some of the most beautiful results. The problem is, sometimes natural light isn't coming to the party, and you need to rely on artificial lighting if you want well-exposed photographs.

When some of us think of flash photography we think of direct flash, which often produces harsher results with deep shadows. However, there are certain techniques that can help us to yield more natural looking flash photography; one of those which we are discussing today is bounce flash.

As is suggested in its name, bounce flash photography involves directing the stream of light from your flash unit off another surface before it hits your desired subject, so your subject is not being directly illuminated by the flash, but rather the light that has been bounced. Bouncing the flashes of light in this manner means we avoid some of the drawbacks of direct flash photography, such as heavy shadows and red eye effect.

The difference between bounce flash and direct flash photography is that the overall lighting of the image is much softer and has a more natural appearance. While you are not relying on natural light to completely illuminate your work, so you don’t need to worry too much about the time of the day you are shooting and similar factors, your images will still have the softer look of a naturally-lit image.

Now that you know the benefits of using bounce flash photography, rather than direct flash, how do you actually go about bouncing the flash? The most common ways to bounce flash is using a ceiling or a wall, making bounce flash particularly successful when photographing indoors. The angle of the light is important when using bounce flash, so trial and error is encouraged; generally you want to angle your flash to the wall or ceiling at an approximate angle of 45-degrees.

Can you enjoy the benefits of bounce flash when you are shooting in the great outdoors, where there aren’t any walls or ceilings to lean on? You definitely can, but it will require some improvisation on your part, and the use of separate flash accessories, such as a reflector. You can simply position your reflector in a position that will shine the light on your subject, enlisting the help of an assistant, and adjust the head of your flash unit to bounce the light accordingly.

Use a speedlight with a bounce head: To direct your flash at the necessary space that you are using for bouncing, it should be a flash gun with a swivelling head, which is otherwise known as a bounce head. This is particularly important if you are using your flash on-camera, as you can focus on composing your subject as necessary, with the freedom to know that you can adjust your flash-head accordingly.

While some very basic flash heads simply tilt up for bouncing, more advanced flash units offer various levels of tilting, swivelling and turning.

Use your bounce flash, off-camera: An off-camera flash gives you greater control over the direction of the light. You can position the flash to bounce light from different angles, creating more interesting and dynamic shadows that add depth and dimension to your images. Don’t forget to use a sturdy tripod or light stand to keep your flash unit safe and secure while you work.

Use multiple flash units: As above, don’t be afraid to get creative with your natural lighting. Whether you are relying on off-camera flashes, or a combination of on-camera and off-camera units, using multiple flash units allows you to tweak the lighting of your photograph so it matches your vision. 

If you are using multiple flashes, you need to use gear that talks to each other so you can trigger the flashes remotely. A flash with master capabilities can control other flash units and they fire when this flash fires - these other units are called slaves.

Use a bounce card: If you can’t find a large bouncing surface to use, a flash card can be attached to your flash gun, helping you soften the spread of the light. This means you can harness this natural effect, virtually anywhere.

Experiment with bounce flash settings: As with learning all new photography skills, setting your camera and flash settings for using bounce flash can take a bit of trial and error to master. Using TTL is simple and generally effective, but depending on the distance between you, your bounce surface, and your subject, you may want to consider manually adjusting the flash output. For example, if your room is large or ceilings are high, use the flash compensation of +1 and test your results.

As discussed, bounce flash is the best way to achieve natural looking light from artificial sources, but beyond bounce flash, there are several techniques for achieving natural-looking flash photography. 

• Reflectors can redirect and soften light, filling shadows and mimicking natural highlights.
• Diffusers are placed directly over the flash and they spread and soften the light output, eliminating harshness. 
• Blending flash with ambient lighting is a very effective technique that is essential to master. By carefully balancing the flash power with the existing light, you can create a seamless, natural illumination that avoids the telltale signs of artificial lighting, resulting in more realistic and pleasing images.

You'll find bounce flash a fantastic tool for creating natural-looking portraits, giving you that soft, flattering light everyone loves. Don't forget to follow Ted's blog for more flash photography insights, including how to use flash to get stunning macro results.