BrianO Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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Cgb628 wrote:
What's the proper way to use this? I see a lot of people telling me it's bullshit and doesn't soften the light, and the rest are suggesting to use large diffusion materials away from the light.
If the goal is to create soft light on the subject, then yes -- the only way is to make the light source larger in relation to the subject. So in that case this device wouldn't be effective.
But if the object is to increase the light spread to cover a larger area, then a diffusion material close to the lamp can do that; that's why many Speedlites and Speedlights come with flip-down "wide angle diffuser" panels.
Also, as mentioned, it can smooth out the light and reduce hot spots, which can be important if the light is used close to a subject.
Once one understands the causes and effects of light and lighting, one can often see uses for devices that one wouldn't have thought of, and on the flip side see through marketing hype and spot the ones that don't do what they claim.
One of the best sources of this knowledge is found here:
http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Photographic/dp/0240812255
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