Flash: Even outside lighting

[Fuju]

Currently I use little battery lights for when I light a macro scene but flash provides a nicer look for what I want. I was playing around with a new Godox 350o and my room was low lit and decided to bounce the light off the wall behind me and it gave me stunning results. When I use a soft box style diffuser it limits the output of this unit so I started using this white/silver diffuser that sits behind the flash head and it gives better results, but nothing like bouncing it off a wall/ceiling.

I was thinking, would a silver umbrella be a better option to bounce the light off? I don't think the diffuser I use spreads the light as nicely and though a bigger surface area may yeild better results?

 

[sk66]

There's a limit to where the size increase produces more even/flatter/softer light... after that point it's just lighting areas not included in the photo and wasting power/battery. I suspect the issue with the smaller diffuser is actually that it does not attenuate the light enough (i.e. you need to lower the power more)... but it could be too small as well.

But yes, up to a point a larger modifier will provide for "better" results.

 

[Phil V]

White brollies produce what to me is a more attractive light/shadow profile. But there’s more

The sad truth is that you’ll find it nigh on impossible to create the soft light you get inside from a single speedlight, with a single speedlight outside.

The trick outside is to not underexpose the ambient too much, so that the balance with the flash isn’t too severe (not always possible)

 

[Phil V]

And just for pedantry, you never want ‘even’ lighting. Light creates shadows, shadows are what create the sense of 3D in a 2d image.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

How big is your macro? At 1:1 or less even bare head close up will be huge in comparison to subject; and a thin cloth in between for extra diffusion. Bigger subject obviously needs accordingly bigger modifier.

 

[juggler]

White brollies produce what to me is a more attractive light/shadow profile.

Depends on the subject, sometimes hard edged specular highlights are desirable.

The sad truth is that you’ll find it nigh on impossible to create the soft light you get inside from a single speedlight, with a single speedlight outside.

For macro stuff I'd have thought a speedlite would be sufficient in whatever modifier. Just get it closer to the subject.

The trick outside is to not underexpose the ambient too much, so that the balance with the flash isn’t too severe (not always possible)

Definitely!!