To diffuse or not to diffuse?

[ConfusedChicca]

I just wondered if everyone uses a diffuser for portrait work? I'm a nightclub photographer, and a lot of people use diffusers over the end of their flashes, and I'm not sure whether to use one. Mainly because the light from my 380ex is quite soft as it is.

The club tonight is quite dark, don't know if that'll make a difference or not.

Laura.

 

[Steep]

Try a few sample shots and see how they turn out?

 

[ConfusedChicca]

I don't have a diffuser though, made one last time using white carrier bag stuck on with white electrical tape! So I'd have to do that before we go, can't do it in a dark club ha ha.

 

[joxby]

point it straight up in the air and tape a piece of white card to it to bounce it forward.
rarely does direct flash produce a nice photo, its ok if your just documenting, but if you want nice photos, diffuse or bounce, it will lessen the impact of shadows too.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q95rMHFfwfY

there is probably better vids, but its explained in the first 30 seconds

 

[ConfusedChicca]

I have some white card somewhere so I'll make a white card now, thanks.