Techniques for Softer Fill Flash

Having scouted a nice beach setting for our portrait, our first step was to take a few shots without any flash. [figure 1] We positioned our model, Chris, so that the sun would be mostly behind him, but slightly off to the right. This way the sun would act as a rim light on the right side of the Chris' head and shoulders, leaving most of his face in shadow.

Compromising with High Contrast Light
In this situation, the camera is not able to record adequate detail in both the brightly lit background and in the shadows. This is because the dynamic range of any camera (film or digital) is much smaller than the dynamic range of the human eye, which can instantly adjust to huge differences in brightness. As you can see in the examples below [figures 2 & 3], we can use exposure to either record detail in the face, leaving the background completely overexposed, or we can expose for the background, thereby underexposing the face.

Using an On-Camera Flash as a Fill Light

In order to achieve accurate exposure in both the background and face, we decided to expose for the background and use a shoe-mount flash to add light to the face. This technique is called "fill flash."

Fill flash is a great way to add that extra bit of light into the shadows and it's especially useful for portraits. The image above [figure 5] is a good example of how fill flash can be used with a backlit subject. The disadvantage of using flash this way is that the small, shoe-mount flash attached to the camera gives a relatively harsh quality of light. Also, because the flash is positioned so close to the lens, the light can seem very flat and artificial, which is not the best type of light for a portrait.

One way to position the flash further from the lens is to use a flash bracket and a TTL dedicated sync cord. However, this alone will not make the light from the flash any softer. To soften the light some form of diffusion must be used.

Using the XS LiteDome Kit

The Photoflex XS LiteDome Kit is the perfect solution. Not only is it small enough to be used with almost any flash bracket on the market, it also comes equipped with the necessary hardware to hold a regular shoe-mount flash inside of a soft box. Assembling the XS LiteDome Kit is a simple process. We recommend assembling the parts in the following order. [figures 6 - 11] Remember that the kit does not include the camera bracket, the camera, or the flash.

The Photoflex XS LiteDome Kit includes an extra small LiteDome soft box, a basic strobe connector, and the Adjustable Shoe Mount Hardware with two shoe mounts. [figure 6]

Assembling the XS LiteDome Kit is a simple process. We recommend assembling the parts in the following order. [figures 7 - 12] Remember that the kit does not include the camera bracket, the camera, or the flash.

First, attach the XS LiteDome to the white connector by inserting the metal rods one at a time into each corner. [figure 7]

Then, attach the shoe-mount hardware provided with the kit to the top of your flash bracket. For our bracket we needed to use a screwdriver to attach the hardware. [figure 8]

Then, attach the LiteDome to the shoe-mount hardware. [figure 9]

With the LiteDome attached securely to the flash bracket using the shoe-mount hardware, the next step is to attach the shoe-mount flash and TTL cable to the shoe-mount hardware. [figure 10] Then attach the rear flap to the back of the XS LiteDome to prevent light from spilling out the back of the soft box. [figure 11]

The complete set-up including camera, flash bracket, flash, TTL cable, extra small LiteDome, and shoe-mount hardware will look some thing like this. [figure 12]

With our LiteDome, flash bracket, and shoe-mount flash ready to go, we proceeded to take another picture of our subject, Chris. [figures 13 & 14]

As you can see, the result was a dramatic improvement over the previous shot using a flash on the camera without any diffusion. The XS LiteDome worked wonders to diffuse the light from the shoe-mount flash. Diffusing the flash helped to reduce the contrast of the flash, which helped to balance the quality of light produced by the flash with the naturally lit background. [figure 14]

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the last three results presented in this tutorial so far. [figure 15]

• The first image (left) was taken without any fill flash. The exposure was set to record full detail in the background.
• The second image (middle) was taken using a shoe-mount flash mounted directly to the camera without any diffusion or modification.
• The third image (right) was taken using the XS LiteDome Kit. The flash and XS LiteDome were mounted to a flash bracket using the shoe-mount hardware included with the kit.

As your can see from the examples shown so far, the Photoflex XS LiteDome Kit is easy to set up, very portable, and is able to dramatically improve the quality of light of any shoe-mount flash. For these reasons, the XS LiteDome is a favorite amongst portrait and wedding photographers who demand a high quality light source that is able to perform in a fast-paced shooting situation.

Increasing Versatility With The Small LiteDome Kit
Of course, if shooting fast and always being on the move is not a priority, then the Photoflex Small LiteDome Kit is another product worthy of consideration for any one who shoots portraits on location. As we will demonstrate in the following steps, the main advantage of the Small LiteDome is its larger size, which offers an even softer light. Remember that the larger the light source, the softer the light.

Just like the XS LiteDome Kit, the Small LiteDome Kit was designed to accommodate a shoe-mount flash. It includes the same shoe-mount hardware as well as an accessory swivel, which allows the entire set-up to be mounted onto any standard light stand. A Photoflex LS-2214 LiteStand is also included in this kit.

The first step to assemble the Small LiteDome Kit is to set up the small LiteDome using the standard, white connector. [figure 16]

Next, attach the shoe-mount hardware to the connector as shown. [figure 17]

Then attach the brass stud and swivel to one of the three mounting positions on the shoe-mount hardware. [figure 18]

With the shoe-mount hardware and swivel securely fastened to the connector, the next step is to mount the entire set-up to the light stand [figure 19]. Then attach the flash and TTL cable to the shoe-mount hardware on the back of the LiteDome. [figure 20]

With our Small LiteDome Kit ready to go, we were ready to take the next shot for this demonstration. For this shot, the LiteDome was positioned just to the left of the camera and raised slightly above the model's head, pointing downward. [figure 21]

The result [figure 22] is a beautifully diffused quality of light on the model's face, which blends seamlessly with the natural daylight that lights the background.

Experimenting with Side Lighting

Having the flash and soft box on a light stand meant that our fill light could now be positioned independently of the camera. For the next and final shot, we decided to experiment by placing the light at a steep angle to the left of the model. [figure 23]

The result [figure 24] is a dramatic departure from a traditional fill flash positioned directly in front of the subject. This image is a much more dramatic lighting style, which is often more flattering for men.

The images shown below [figure 25] offer a quick recap of the three major lighting set-ups demonstrated in this tutorial.

• The first image (left) was shot using the LiteDome XS Kit mounted to a flash bracket.
• The next image (middle) was made using the Small LiteDome Kit positioned in front and slightly to the left of the camera.
• For the third image (right) we moved the Small LiteDome Kit to left of the model creating a dramatic side-lit portrait.

Using fill flash outdoors is one of the most popular and most misunderstood techniques in portrait photography. Many photographers know that an on-camera flash can be used to brighten the shadow areas of a naturally lit subject, but many fail to learn how this artificial light source can be modified to achieve a more flattering look.

As you can see from the results in this lesson, the Photoflex XS LiteDome Kit and Small LiteDome Kit are two of the best tools on the market for improving the quality of any portable shoe-mount flash.