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07/04/2008 11:24:20 AM · #1 |
So, when is it best to use a diffuser on a flash, and when is it not? I understand the theory of point sources of light and how diffuse light softens shadows, etc. But thats not my question.
I put a diffuser on, take a shot, then I take another one with it off. (Stofen OmniBounce).
The diffuser does what its supposed to, it REALLY bounces the light from every direction, filling in almost every bit of shadow. And, of course, the image looks flatter because of the lack of shadow (just like taking a photo of a full moon).
So, aside from personal taste, in which situations would you want the diffuser on and off? It is simply based on whether or not you want tricky shadows to be filled in?
What are you experiences and ideas?
Thanks,
Paul |
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07/04/2008 09:16:07 PM · #2 |
| Well..bump, I guess....its the 4th so not many people around? |
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07/04/2008 10:32:43 PM · #3 |
You use a diffuser to turn the flash into a bare bulb (the light goes in every direction). This is okay indoors when you have no room for a soft box or umbrella. To be effective, you need walls for the light to bounce off of. However, it eats a lot (sometimes up to 2 stops) of light.
You wouldn't use it outdoors, where there's nothing to bounce light off of to fill shadows.
Message edited by author 2008-07-05 00:08:16.
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07/04/2008 10:55:53 PM · #4 |
I hear what you're saying about diffused light simply flattening the subject. I've played with several diffusers and really am not happy with any of them. The only one I'll use any more is the Lightsphere, but it's extremely rare that I use it.
If you want a more "studio-like appearance" to your image, turn your flash to the side and bounce the light off of a wall. Assuming an "available, fairly neutral colored wall", you can get a pretty nice look at that way.
My personal preference at wedding receptions is to simply bounce the flash off the ceiling. I pull the little white card out of the head of my Canon 580 EX II and angle the flash head at 45 degrees. Doing so sends most of the light up to the ceiling, while the little white card directs some of the light straight forward in order to fill in the eye socket shadows caused by the ceiling light. It's fast and works in most cases (where I have a ceiling that isn't too far away). But if there was always a nearby wall... I'd use that instead.
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07/04/2008 11:19:43 PM · #5 |
Thanks Dave,
This has been my experience as well, I'm glad to see that my experiences are reproducible of others.
Though, it seems that in the absence of a wall, or low ceiling, a diffuser may be a good piece of equipment.
Thanks again. -Paul
Originally posted by dwterry:
...
If you want a more "studio-like appearance" to your image, turn your flash to the side and bounce the light off of a wall. Assuming an "available, fairly neutral colored wall", you can get a pretty nice look at that way.
... I pull the little white card out of the head of my Canon 580 EX II and angle the flash head at 45 degrees. ... But if there was always a nearby wall... I'd use that instead. |
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