Apparatus and method for directing light from a swivel flash head

An apparatus for providing light for a camera having a camera lens unit and a swivel flash head, comprising:

• a reflector;
• wherein, said reflector includes:
• a neck region that couples said reflector to the swivel flash head, and
• a reflective region that directs light emitted from the swivel flash head at positions above the camera lens unit when the camera is oriented within a range of camera orientations, said range of camera orientations including horizontal and vertical camera orientations,
• wherein the light at said positions above the camera lens unit is centered by the reflector at spots having a vertical displacement substantially above the camera lens unit and an offset angle from vertical, said vertical displacement being within a range of approximately 5 to 13 inches and said offset angle being within a range of approximately +60 degrees to -60 degrees.

A method for providing lighting for a camera having a camera lens unit, comprising the steps of:

• mounting a swivel flash head on the camera;
• attaching a reflector to said swivel flash head;
• emitting light from said swivel flash head along a side direction at an angle with respect to a vertical plane relative to the camera;
• and
• reflecting said light from said reflector to illuminate a camera field of view from positions above the camera lens unit when the camera is oriented within a range of camera orientations, said range of camera orientations including horizontal and vertical camera orientations.