Diffuser for 430 ex ii outside portrait with flashgun ON the camera ;)

[Panda]

Hello

I'm sure this has already been asked, i am learning more everyday, but anyway...i use the canon 430 ex ii flash gun. i've take some snaps outside of people but the light looks a little harsh. I understand a diffuser will help, but which one?

There are so many to choose from, and at the moment i want to keep the flash gun ON the camera as i'm learning. So can anybody recommend a suitable diffuser please?

I have seen those plastic ones that fit on the end, any good? or do i need one of those large square diffusers that go on the front? I'd like to shoot in all conditions, including sunshine obviously, but i especially like cloudy, moody kind of skies so wether or not that would have any difference in which i choose i don't know, anybody?

Many thanks

Dave

 

[Phil V]

What are you hoping to achieve?

If you're outside filling in for the sun, you don't need to soften the light - just control the amount carefully.

If the flash is the key light (not fill), outside on camera you have no real way of making the light attractive;

Because it's on camera it cant take a large enough modifier to make it attractive

It's not in a position to make it an attractive light.

I know you don't really want to take it off camera, but if you've realised it's not an attractive light, you'll not be happy until you've decided you need to take it off camera.

I do have one suggestion (I'm about to order one) this is light and versatile.

 

[HoppyUK]

The word diffuser is confusing. They basically work by spreading the light all around so it bounces off nearby surfaces, mainly the ceiling, and this becomes the new main light source. And because it is much larger, like a pool of light several feet across, it is much softer and comes from a better direction. Simple rule is, the larger the light source, the softer the shadows.

Things like a Stofen (the plastic cap you describe) only work indoors. When outdoors, with no bounce surfaces available, you're stuck with whatever you can fit on your camera. I have a bracket that mounts a medium-sized softbox, and it works very well, but it's heavy and cumbersome - not for everyone.

IMHO Lumiquest make the best speedlite accessories. As a single on-camera device, their Big Bounce is probably as good/big as it gets in a practical package http://store.lumiquest.com/lumiquest-big-bounce/ It also moves the light a bit higher, which looks better.

It's great that you're looking at flash as a newcomer. Learn how to use light creatively, and it will make more difference to your pictures than any new lens. But you need some understanding of the challenges and solutions, and practise. Try this excellent book, the Speedliter's Handbook by Syl Arena. It's all about Canon, covers everything, easy to read.