I didn't have the remote last year and got decent shots. But it was only at the latter half of HHN last year that I had purchased the speedlite. Used on eBay for like $80. Oddly enough, I never had any issue with shooting while it was mounted on my camera. I got the remote system for $15 on Amazon right before the start of this year's. And here I already got a complaint. I was there last night and tempered the photo taking. I'd prefer to get shots of the scareactors when they're not looking. I always feel like I'm invading their space if they stop to pose. And now I'm weary of the remote flash method. But I was trying this method, this year, based on the suggestion of other photographers doing it, and I've seen endless images from them. So who knows. I think you can position yourself in decent light in all the zones except Festival. Hollywood Blvd is so dark. It feels much darker than Vamp was last year.