Platypod rocks NAB!

words by Larry Tiefenbrunn

Team Platypod just came home from NAB in Las Vegas where they presented the all-new Platypod Bracket and Bounce, a brand new Kickstarter launched modular   flash and lighting support system, along with the entire line of Platypod tripod alternatives and photography accessories.

Kersten Luts presented live classes on the show stand, demonstrating how to use the Bracket and Bounce for three different types of video lighting. That presentation can be found here.

Larry T. spent his time on the booth talking to Platypod enthusiasts and curious customers, and comparing the quality of light using on-camera flash versus using the Bracket and Bounce system. The results were striking!

Check out this comparison. The first photo is taken using the off-camera flash method with Platypod Bracket and Bounce:

This next photo is taken using on-camera flash. The difference is overwhelmingly in favour of using Platypod Bracket and Bounce to achieve off-camera flash results easily.

With the camera mounted directly on the hotshoe as in the photo below, we achieve the result above. Direct, harsh, unflattering and unshaped light.

A simple transition to using the Platypod Bracket & Bounce takes the light away from the camera, makes it less direct, and gives a much more flattering look whilst still being fixed.

In the photo above you see that the Profoto Pro Connect is in the hotshoe and the Profoto A1 is used on the Platypod Bracket & Bounce. The flash is triggered remotely and in this example we only use a key light, but this system allows for the easy introduction of further fill lights or rim lights. What we achieved here is a soft and beautiful light which illuminates the highlights and defines the shadows. We've turned what was otherwise a harsh, ugly snapshot into a professional portrait. 

Platypod Bracket & Bounce has finished its Kickstarter launch and is ready to ship soon! Platypod has a proven track record with Kickstarter and once again this was designated as one of the Kickstarter 'Projects We Love'.