Question about reducing red-eye with a speedlight

[DoleWhipDVC]

I'm hoping folks can offer guidance once again. I purchased a Canon 430EX II speedlight for my 40D camera hoping the adjusability would help me eliminate (or greatly reduce) red eye. I've been on Canon's website and understand the angle of the flash relative to my subject's eyes has alot to do with the effect, as does distance from the the subject. I believe using "bounce flash" will help me but I was wondering if anyone has advice as to how much angle is generally required to still get flash benefits but defeat red eye. Is there a known amount within the industry or is it just trial and error depending on conditions?

I've discovered that using my 70-300 zoom causes more red eye because
(as the canon site says) it lets me get super close captures while being far away from the subject. I shoot a lot of martial arts while not at the parks and getting close to those folks can get you hurt! So I shot with the zoom last week and although the pictures were awesome, the red eye was a bummer. I was not using the speedlight,however, just the built-in flash and the zoom. Would using the speedlight and then using bounce flash with the zoom do the trick?

I know I can remove red eye post production, but it would be nice to avoid it during shooting if that's possible (and yes, I sort of need to use the flash to get the illumination needed to stop the action of kicks, etc. without blurring).

If anyone has any pointers on this I would really appreciate reading them. Thanks again for your help

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Use a flash bracket.

 

[My2Girls66]

Just using the new speedlight should greatly reduce the chanceof redeye. I use a Nikon SB600 and I don't think I have ever had a redeye problem using it, even when using it directly facing the subject.

From the Canon site:
"Since accessory flash units, such as Canon Speedlites, are larger and sit on top of the camera, the flash unit itself is raised several inches above the lens. The flash-emitting part of these units is nowhere near as close to the lens as in the case of a built-in flash. This distance between lens and flash means that right from the start, you’re less likely to get red-eye in your pictures. Let’s be clear: we’re not saying you won’t or can’t get red-eye in pictures taken with an accessory flash unit, only that because it starts out being a few inches farther from the lens, you can often avoid the problem in your shots of people."

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=126

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The angle between the flash and the lens reduces with increases in subject distance. At 300mm on an APS-C camera, you'll be at risk of getting red-eye. That's why I suggest a flash bracket. It will raise the flash further from the lens, increasing the distance in which you can shoot your subject without worrying about red-eye.

Personally, I don't bother. It takes virtually no time to remove red-eye in post production.

 

[DoleWhipDVC]

I'll certainly see how the speedlight works next time I need flash and perhaps the distance of its mounted position will make the difference! After that I'll look into flash brackets but they seem a bit cumbersome to me. I agree that it's no biggie to drop the redeye post production, but I was looking to see if I could knock out the redeye during the original capture. Thanks for the tips

 

[handicap18]

I don't think I've ever used my flash while using my 70-300mm lens. If your shooting martial arts you might want to consider getting a faster lens so you don't have to use a flash. Last thing you want to do is have the flash interfere with the performers.

Also if your using that lens at the longer end because your subject if far away, the flash isn't going to help as much. The further away, the less likely the flash will be effective.

Just something to think about.

As for red eye. I wouldn't worry about it. Personally, in the last 4 years of using my speedlight, I can count the number of images I've had redeye on with one hand. The higher above the lens the light is, the less likely you are to have redeye. If you don't want to buy a flash bracket, then go with what Mark said... post processing. Just about every simple photo software will take out redeye in 1 easy click.

 

[manning]

I don't think I've ever used my flash while using my 70-300mm lens. If your shooting martial arts you might want to consider getting a faster lens so you don't have to use a flash. Last thing you want to do is have the flash interfere with the performers.

Also if your using that lens at the longer end because your subject if far away, the flash isn't going to help as much. The further away, the less likely the flash will be effective.

Just something to think about.

As for red eye. I wouldn't worry about it. Personally, in the last 4 years of using my speedlight, I can count the number of images I've had redeye on with one hand. The higher above the lens the light is, the less likely you are to have redeye. If you don't want to buy a flash bracket, then go with what Mark said... post processing. Just about every simple photo software will take out redeye in 1 easy click.

Just as info, the distance can be in any direction, up,both sides,below.

 

[DoleWhipDVC]

I'll be shooting pictures at a Christmas party on the 23rd. I'll give the speedlight a good workout there and check if redeye is reduced due to the new distance of the flash from the lens axis. The place also has a low ceiling that is made of white panels so I'll try bouncing the flash too!

 

[manning]

I'll be shooting pictures at a Christmas party on the 23rd. I'll give the speedlight a good workout there and check if redeye is reduced due to the new distance of the flash from the lens axis. The place also has a low ceiling that is made of white panels so I'll try bouncing the flash too!

Yes, the key is, it is white. If it was green it would reflect as green.

 

[mabas9395]

The place also has a low ceiling that is made of white panels so I'll try bouncing the flash too!

I rarely use my speedlight without bouncing and/or a diffuser, and I rarely ever get redeye. Not only is redeye reduced, but the lighting is just generally more pleasant with a bounce or diffuser.

 

[wenrob]

I haven't had a red eye issue since moving to my SB600. As others have said getting it up higher from the lens does the trick. I generally bounce using this:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/526540-REG/Gary_Fong_ORIGAMI_Origami_Universal_Foldable_Flash.html
It's portable and easy to use. Even without something like this or a wall/ceiling to bounce of off if you position your flash to fire above your subjects head instead instead of right at them it should help.
I don't get the red eye issue with the bigger lens considering your flash only goes so far. I'm wondering if flash from others cameras are causing the red eye at that distance? I don't have a lens that large so it's just a guess.

 

[Poohbear5]

I do get red eye using the SB600 and a 105mm lens. Just picked up a diffuser to try at a Christmas party tomorrow. The ceilings are way to high to bounce at this clubhouse. And the kids are way to bouncy for no flash indoors.

 

[wenrob]

I do get red eye using the SB600 and a 105mm lens. Just picked up a diffuser to try at a Christmas party tomorrow. The ceilings are way to high to bounce at this clubhouse. And the kids are way to bouncy for no flash indoors.

Really? I have used mine with the 105 and the 18-200, no problems. Are you pointing it directly at your subjects? The idea of the flash is to light your subject but it doesn't mean we have to point it right at our subject. Try tilting it up a bit so it's over peoples heads. You can also bounce off walls and windows.
FWIW I have vaulted ceilings and that GF Origami works like a charm.

edited to add: The diffuser is going to suck up some of your light, that with shooting from a distance can be frustrating. If you up your ISO a little bit (I usually use 400 with flash) and zoom with your feet you'll get a little more oomph from your flash.

 

[DoleWhipDVC]

O.K. so there really isn't a "set" standard as to how much of an angle to use when redirecting the flash. It seems you are saying to just be sure the flash is not directly pointed at the subject's face. This makes sense to me and I'll try it at the party (along with experimenting with boucing the light off the white panel ceiling).

I'm not sure why the redeye showed up with some of the more distant shots except that the flash WAS directed toward the face, although slightly from the side so as to not blind my subject. Perhaps I should also invest in a diffuser? For about 10 bucks it may make a big difference.