Deffusers

[Bob]

I am waiting delivery of a new canon 430 ex flash for christmas What I want to know should I order a flash deffuser ready for it and if so which one would be best suited for a complete beginner and is there any e bay traders worth ordering from. The photos I want to take would be mainly portrait type of things of my own kids etc. Any help and advice very welcome
Cheers Bob :shrug:

 

[subseasniper]

I got a cheap diffuser from ebay which works pretty well. They are worth a spin at about 3 quid each but if you bounce the flash from a neutral wall or ceiling the effect is the same. Obviously if shooting outdoors this is not a problem but inside I tend to bounce the flash as the effect is more pleasing than just using a diffuser, especially bouncing from a wall, the light across the face looks really nice.

 

[rdh]

For portrait work, a diffuser (like the stofen), won't give you optimal results. It's all about off camera flash (www.strobist.com - check out lighting 101 video).

Failing that, as mentioned above, bouncing the flash against walls is very effective, although hard to control. It's effective because soft diffused light is all about the size of the light source in relation to your subject. A wall is obviously large, so either lowering the flash power, or moving the subject further from the wall will soften the light and make it more flattering.

Whatever you do, do not use the flash on the camera and point it directly at the subject. All you'll get is unflattering flat light. Loads of guides on you tube, just search for portrait photography, or studio photography. Have fun