We all know how important it is to have a reflector to fill in the shdows.
But reflectors are also large and cumbersome, and you need an assistant to hold it.

With the new technology of remotely triggered multiple flashes, has anyone tried using a flash perhaps with an omnibounce positioned down low recreate the effect of a reflector to fill in the shadows? Was it any good?

Of course trying to pull this off during a wedding with a 2nd flash strapped to your ankles may not be the best was to convince others you know what you're doing.:BlackEye:

Using another flash gun strapped to your ankles (assuming you seriously want to do this) does not guarantee its effectivity as fill. The objective of using a fill-in, either via additional illumination or mere reflection, is to lift shadow details without overpowering the main light.

Yes, you could probably control the light output of your 'ankle' flash gun to a low level. but it will definitely introduce new set of shadows somewhere - and this is a no no if it is intended as a fill only; unless you diffuse it.

So you're back to your original question of is it better to use a reflector or a flash gun to fill in the shadows. The reflector is a cumbersome option in your case, less efficient than flash gun in filling in the shadows, but won't produce that new set of shadows and at the same time will provide that needed fill. How effective it is will depend on how you use it and what kind of reflector you have.

thanks Jay I really appreciate the reply!

I guess there's no short cut to using reflectors!
I actually tried a 2nd flash on the ground with an omnibounce for a group Family portrait outdoors. no shadows in the back (due to outdoors) You're right the result wasn't very natural, their faces look like indoor shots, almost as if the light is not in the same direction as the background.

What would you recommend to use as fill for a group shot with the sun slightly backlighting their faces?
A very large reflector?
Is a fill light even needed?
Would a flash on the hotshoe do it?

Yes, it's effective to use a big reflector. You can also use a fill-in light source such as another flash gun. Even the built-in flash of your camera can be used. The point is not 'what you use'; rather how you use it-that means you ought to know how to control it.

Why you weren't able to achieve that naturally lit look as you said is simply because several of the lighting techniques and principles particularly pertaining to fill lighting were surely not properly put into effect.

I read your blog (which was fascinating and an absolutely inspiring!) and you mentioned that you didn't bring your usual big reflector to beijing, which from what you wrote would have been the ideal way to modify the light.

What lighting alternatives did you use? a diffuser?
a flash on the hot shoe (especially outdoors due to lack of surfaces to bounce from) seems to still create harsh shadows under the chins.

Yes i agree, it's the lighting technique!
Looking forward to your next schedule of classes!

Yes, I didn't bring my foldable reflector to Beijing then. You don't have to limit yourself to the modification possibilities of a reflector and flash fills. There are other ways to modify light - and that is, indirectly. As such, I had to modify my shoot approach and set up concept as well based on the the 'terrain' and light availability at the time of the pictorial. In short, I made my lighting solution not to rely on reflectors and fills at that time.

True it is that camera mounted flash and even pop-up flash can produce harsh shadows still, especially outdoors where you don't have the aide of walls and ceilings to diffuse the light output, simply because you can only put a certain size of diffuser on your flash without obstructing the lens' line of sight and becoming the center of attraction with a huge light modifier mounted on your camera. But what is 'unattractive' to the prospect of using camera mounted flash is its relative 'flatness' because of the light's direction influence on the subject relative to the lens' line of sight.

Hope to see you too..."enjoy"! :D