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Features

On Camera Flash Modifiers for Your Party Photography Kit

Anthony Thurston
No Comments
07/15/2017
4 Mins read
Chris Gampat Party photos (53 of 57)

Last Updated on 07/15/2017 by Chris Gampat

We have talked about cameras, lenses, and lighting so far in our recent posts about party and event photography – and today we take it another step towards you filling out your kit by talking about lighting modifiers for your on-camera flash. As much as off-camera flash is preached in the industry these days, during a dark party/event environment an on-camera flash with a good modifier is essential for quality and well-lit results.

So are you ready for some killer on camera lighting recommendations? Great, let’s jump into itâ€Ĥ

MagMod System

We really can’t recommend the MagMod system to party/event photographers enough. The system works by providing a well fitted and magnetized base that you put on your flash head. Then you can choose from one of their many modifier options to attach, and it’s quick and painless to switch between them in the event that you need to. For a party/event dark dancefloor sort of scenario we would likely recommend their Magsphere modifier.

“The Magmod Magsphere is a very fun and very useful flash modifier that we think may change the way that manufacturers create their products. It’s a great item for photographers using small flashes and that can’t carry around a large softbox.” — Read Our Full Review

  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B01CH13A60′ text=’MagMod Basic Kit V3′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’42945875-6595-11e7-a61f-05ed9737cc52′] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B01CH13A60′ text=’MagMod Basic Kit V3′ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’53f16260-6595-11e7-90db-45376e5fdae2′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00TUC9M2Q’ text=’MagSphere’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’617c2e11-6595-11e7-8086-67f7a75c770b’] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B00TUC9M2Q’ text=’Magsphere’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6908db3a-6595-11e7-a643-6340f64d2d29′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00TT4DZU0′ text=’MagBounce’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7af8d651-6595-11e7-adb4-a1ab519e613a’] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B00TT4DZU0′ text=’Magbounce’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7496026c-6595-11e7-9ea7-452046934d78′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00L9F3MVY’ text=’Extra MagGrips’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’982910fd-6595-11e7-89ac-a5000f75b0a6′] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B00L9F3MVY’ text=’Maggrips’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8e97b9a1-6595-11e7-86ec-1557e237e6e1′]

Rogue FlashBender 2 XL

They are not as pretty of a solution as the MagMods, but the Rogue Flashbenders are a staple of wedding and event photographers for their versatility. You can literally bend and mold these things in some crazy ways to get the light from them looking just like you want it. In our review we said:

“The XL Pro Soft Silver can deliver lots of soft light right where you need it while also maintaining some sort of specularity due to its silver areas. It’s very effective and is now probably one of my favorite quick portrait light modifiers.” — Read The Full Review

  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B01GEL3M2G’ text=’Rogue FlashBender 2 XL’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’57da9830-6597-11e7-a5e2-31e04eff80c7′] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B01GEL3M2G’ text=’Rogue FlashBender 2 XL’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4d0ffdd4-6597-11e7-82a3-15267b8562e2′]
PRO TIP: Give yourself several modifier options in your party/event kit. Ideally if you use a system like Rouge’s or MagMod’s this will make changing out different modifiers quick and painless. 

BounceLite

This one is a rather unique solution, but that said it could be a nice addition to an event or party photographer’s kit for use in some situations. Generally we would probably recommend the Rogue or MagMod solutions before considering this – but this could also be exactly what you are looking for.

“The BounceLite is one of the more innovative options that we’ve seen for photographers looking to manipulate the existing light from their flashes while keeping their options portable. In fact, we highly recommend it for most photographers. However, keep in mind that it won’t replace a larger flash modifier at all.” –Read Our Full Review

  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B019461UBI’ text=’Bouncelite’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b9398be9-6598-11e7-88d7-5fdf6b01fcde’] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B019461UBI’ text=’Bouncelite’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b555c23c-6598-11e7-8a9a-29804328981b’]

RoundFlash V2

It is rather large, and could be sort of awkward to carry around through a dark party or event, but if you are a fan of the ring light look – this is an extremely portable solution that could deliver some excellent results for you in a party/event setting. It is probably too big for smaller camera/lens combinations, but for your standard full frame DSLR kit you should be fine.

“Images from the Round Flash are punchy, deliver lots of specular highlights and most of all create that beautiful ring that we love seeing in the eyes of subject. It also balances very well with skin tones.” —Read Our Full Review

  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00OSKRHT0′ text=’RoundFlash V2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f8849729-6599-11e7-b661-e3bc8380a7ff’] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B00OSKRHT0′ text=’RoundFlash V2′ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f0253082-6599-11e7-b8d0-e501def91d3c’]
PRO TIP: Try not to blind party/event attendees by shooting directly into their face (except when needed). Catch them looking away from the camera, or at the very least not directly at it. If you must or need to do so, at least have the courtesy to make sure they know its coming.  

Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible

Gary Fong’s name is one you have almost assuredly heard, be it for good or bad reasons, and his Lightsphere Collapsible is an ultra portable on camera light modifier that has been a popular choice for party and event shooters for years.

“Photographers looking for a more compact solution to larger softboxes will be very grateful for an item like this. Those that use photojournalistic tactics when shooting will really appreciate the lighter and portable option. Studio photographers may have some use, but in general there are better items out there, such as said softboxes. ” — Read Our Full Review

  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00H2QBSRY’ text=’Lightsphere Collapsible’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e02bcd71-659c-11e7-9727-8b392ddd9a97′] – [amazon_textlink asin=’B00H2QBSRY’ text=’Lighsphere Collapsible’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d7c62523-659c-11e7-85ab-1d866ca33f57′]
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