What is Bounce Flash?

Bounce Flash is a technique where an external camera flash indirectly illuminates your subject by ‘bouncing’ the flash off a surface such as a white wall or ceiling. It’s used to achieve a more natural-looking and even light across an image.

Taking a photo with a flash pointed directly at your subject will illuminate it, and result in a correctly exposed lit image. However, it can create an artificial and very harsh look to your photograph, leave unwanted shadows and red eye. By ‘bouncing’ your flash off a white surface, you’ll achieve a more even and natural light. How? Unlike a more reflective surface such as metal, a white surface such as a wall or photographer’s board will diffuse and spread the light, illuminating the subject in a more even fashion.