Bounce flash.
Directing light from a flash unit off a wall, ceiling, etc., in lieu of pointing it straight at the subject.
Subjects illuminated by portable flash units tend to be harshly lit in an unflattering fashion. Portable flash units are essentially spotlights with small light-emitting areas that cause sharp-edged shadows.
One way to deal with the problem is to point the flash unit at a large white surface such as a ceiling or wall or large white panel and bounce the light onto the subject. The light will thus be originating from a larger area and will be softer and more flattering. Bounce flash can also be done using a portable reflector of some type.
The drawbacks are that bounce flash costs a stop or two of light (easily halving the range), that you need a large white surface handy and that the surface should be pretty well white or off-white - any colours will introduce a colour cast to the photograph, which may or may not be desirable.
cf. flash unit, hard light, reflector, soft light.
Entry last updated 2002-04-04. Term 151 of 1487.
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