I started out reading about the difference in flashes and ended up on Stroboframe & Newton brackets.

If I asked this question on POTN, I'd get laughed at, so please be gentle with this uneducated noob.

Is it really a big difference to have the flash on the bracket 2" above where it would be on the actual hot shoe? I understand the rings and double side mounted flashes in macro, but what is the advantage in the addt'l 2"?????

Thanks

Could it be to change the angle of the flash to the lens to eliminate red eye? Also with longer lenses like a 300mm you could get a shadow in the photo from the long lens, moving the flash up will eliminate this also. Or it could just be so you look for like a pro.

Hmmmm...don't know. I do understand using an external flash vs the pop up one that's on the camera. But the extra wee bit from the bracket?? Confused :confused::confused:

Probably one of the biggest advantages of using a flash bracket is when you go from shooting landscape mode (horizontal) and switch to portrait mode (vertical) and back and forth and back and forth. Having the flash above the camera gives the best lighting as opposed to switching to portrait and getting shadows which you will get from a side flash.

A wedding would be a good example. You're shooting close up (horizontal) shots of the couples face and you may instantly realize you want full body & gown shots. Swing the flash around to above the camera and shoot ... no shadows!

I used to shoot dog photos with Santa as a fund raiser for a local shelter, that was why I got the bracket in the first place because I was close to the dogs and the side flash gave very bad shadows. Came in very handy. Now I do use it for wedding, when I shoot them, and it is a must. It also helps to hold and steady the camera when doing a lot of shooting.

Ahhhhhh.....ok, now that makes sense. Thank you!!!