Hi, I am very new to Flash photography, I would like to improve. I wanted to see if there is an additional diffuser or anything that I should purchase and leave on my flash to help improve the way the light looks in the pictures.

Currently, I feel that unless i get a nice bounce, the flash looks harsh and not much different than the pop-up flash on the camera.

Thanks for any suggestions and advice.

Hi there. I purchased the following kit from B&H. There are a lot of people that use this softbox with excellent results.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=419377&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

You may also want to consider an umbrella. I purchased the following one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1325&A=details&Q=&sku=42512&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I hope this helps.

Robert.

There is no one size fits all solution to lighting with a single flash, but I feel the best overall return on investment for single flash would be the hot shoe extension cord 2, camera flip bracket and a DIY reflection diffuser. It's a self contained and portable lighting solution which addresses the root cause of poor lighting, where the shadow appear. Also unlike the various "tuppperware" diffusers it produces identical consistent results indoors and out.

To get true control over lighting placement and ratios two flashes are needed. Fortunately technology has evolved to the point where using two flashes is as easy as one; the only skill required is knowing how to place the off camera light effectively.

See my speedlight tutorials:
http://super.nova.org/DPR/Design/
http://super.nova.org/DPR/DIY01/
http://super.nova.org/DPR/580ex/
http://super.nova.org/DPR/DualFlash/
http://super.nova.org/DPR/FillFlash/

I was looking for something more simple that i can carry around on the flash, would a diffuser like this help? or is there a better device to put on the flash? I know about the Fong but that's so big i think it will be hard to carry around

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=408070&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://www.joedembphotography.com/flipit/

SBM #0104 Supreme Flash Diffuser

I use one of these on my 580 ex with a 30D and find the results quite satisfactory. The range is cut in half, but the harshness all but disappears. I am not a pro, just an avid amateur.

Canon's ST-E2 Remote Flash Trigger will permit you to use the 580EX wirelessly. Doing so allows you to position the 580EX exactly where you wish for the best lighting effect.

Additionally, a companion 580EX or 430EX is a wonderful compliment to your existing 580EX and will enable you to explore the world of wireless flash.

I picked up the Supreme Flash Diffuser earlier today @ B&H, so far I love it, makes the flash so much easier to use (for me at least)

not to ruin your fun, but a diffuser only allows the light to have a wider spread, it doesnt soften the light. the theory behind the soft lighing is size of your source compared to subject. so you have your 580 flash and you throw that diffuser on that you showed in the link, the flash head is still the same size

If you think that the "Supreme" is good wait until you try a real diffuser like the Joe Demb Flash Diffuser with or without the diffuser, and be able to control your light.
http://www.dembflashdiffusers.com/
See the guides and instruction for use.

Mike

dmldl123 wrote:
not to ruin your fun, but a diffuser only allows the light to have a wider spread, it doesnt soften the light. the theory behind the soft lighing is size of your source compared to subject. so you have your 580 flash and you throw that diffuser on that you showed in the link, the flash head is still the same size

Light is neither "hard" nor "soft" its the shadow transitions the light creates which have that characteristic.

The size of the source is just one variable. A very large and parabolic reflector will produce more distinct shadows than a small softbox. The same source will have different characteristics as its distance to the subject changes.

What ultimately determines the character of the shadows is how parallel the rays of light are when they hit the surface. That explains why the character of a light source like an umbrella changes when its "feathered" edge rather than center is aimed at a subject; the light reflected from the flat center is more direct (parallel) than that from the curved edges.

Robert,

Do you know if Henry's or other Canadian retailer, has the same/similar item. Ordering via customs annoys me unless I have no alternative.

Cheers,
Erik

cgardner wrote:
There is no one size fits all solution to lighting with a single flash, but I feel the best overall return on investment for single flash would be the hot shoe extension cord 2, camera flip bracket and a DIY reflection diffuser. It's a self contained and portable lighting solution which addresses the root cause of poor lighting, where the shadow appear. Also unlike the various "tuppperware" diffusers it produces identical consistent results indoors and out.
My advice is listen to Chuck, read his tutorials, and above all build one of his revised diffuser/reflectors. Those things work great, they're fairly easy to build and they're cheap cheap cheap. If you don't like it or you want to help finance Fong's new star wars boat - by all means donate to his coffers - you're only out a couple of bucks with Chuck's device - Fong Lightsphere will set you back about $50.
Regards,
Jon

You might try the Joe Demb Flash Diffuser or the Gary Fong Lightsphere II. I own both and would buy the JDFD first. As indicated above, if you want a good DIY project, try the cgardner design. Also, you will want to investigate flash GELS ... inexpensive and they can really help balance out color.

This is very similar to Chuck's DIY diffuser. It's made by LumiQuest, attaches to the flash unit via velcro (so it's easily removed). I use it regularly and would reccomend it very highly.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=655&A=details&Q=&sku=32577&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I have the lumiquest promax system with the 80/20 bounce. I like it a lot.

toadhunter911 wrote:
This is very similar to Chuck's DIY diffuser. It's made by LumiQuest, attaches to the flash unit via velcro (so it's easily removed). I use it regularly and would reccomend it very highly.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=655&A=details&Q=&sku=32577&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Why on earth would you want to spend $22 + S&H for something that does the same thing as Chucks? Here's the price breakdown:
2 Sheet "Foamies" - 1 White, 1 Black = $.88
1 Sheet needlepoint plastic grid = $.25
1 pkg velcro strip = $2.29
Time to assemble about 30 minutes tops.
So for 30 minutes of your time and about 3 bucks you can build one of Chucks and it folds flat as an added bonus. Plus - the reflector you mention *always* passes 80% of the light straight up whether you have anything to bounce off or not. Not to mention there are some walls/ceilings you don't *want* to bounce off. With Chucks you decide. Leave the top flap up and bounce away. Fold it down and don't sweat it. Since the light is reflected off the white material which is about 90 square inches you at least get a somewhat larger light source than the approximate 3 square inches of the bare flash.
*shrug* sure seems like a no-brainer to me.
regards,
Jon

BubbaJon wrote:
toadhunter911 wrote:
This is very similar to Chuck's DIY diffuser. It's made by LumiQuest, attaches to the flash unit via velcro (so it's easily removed). I use it regularly and would reccomend it very highly.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=655&A=details&Q=&sku=
32577&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Why on earth would you want to spend $22 + S&H for something that does the same thing as Chucks? Here's the price breakdown:
2 Sheet "Foamies" - 1 White, 1 Black = $.88
1 Sheet needlepoint plastic grid = $.25
1 pkg velcro strip = $2.29
Time to assemble about 30 minutes tops.
So for 30 minutes of your time and about 3 bucks you can build one of Chucks and it folds flat as an added bonus. Plus - the reflector you mention *always* passes 80% of the light straight up whether you have anything to bounce off or not. Not to mention there are some walls/ceilings you don't *want* to bounce off. With Chucks you decide. Leave the top flap up and bounce away. Fold it down and don't sweat it. Since the light is reflected off the white material which is about 90 square inches you at least get a somewhat larger light source than the approximate 3 square inches of the bare flash.
*shrug* sure seems like a no-brainer to me.
regards,
Jon

it's simple... with the promax system, it has all the accesories and abilities that chucks has.

what it really comes down to though:

2 Sheet "Foamies" - 1 White, 1 Black = $.88
+
1 Sheet needlepoint plastic grid = $.25
+
1 pkg velcro strip = $2.29
=
a few dollars spent and a pat on the back for ingenuity and thriftiness.

instead:
about $60 to B&H or wherever for the promax, while not having to peel your butt off of the computer chair, avoiding needle pricks and avoiding having to say "that doesn't look anything like the picture?!?!?"
=
Priceless.


Anyhow, isn't it a good idea to have a small variety of stuff for different types of flash modification?

Mike Kalcevic wrote:
=
a few dollars spent and a pat on the back for ingenuity and thriftiness.
instead:
about $60 to B&H or wherever for the promax, while not having to peel your butt off of the computer chair, avoiding needle pricks and avoiding having to say "that doesn't look anything like the picture?!?!?"
= Priceless.

Anyhow, isn't it a good idea to have a small variety of stuff for different types of flash modification?
*shrug* to each his own. I'd rather dump my $$ into glass and other stuff. I hadn't really given thought to folks less gifted in the DIY arena - I guess I sorta take it for granted most people can if they want to. Seriously I took my time and the results have been mistaken for something purchased. I dunno why Chuck put the staples or whatever around the edge, I used two foamies that both had stickum on the back and I doubt I could pull them apart much less have them delaminate on their own. I'd damn sure rather have this on the flash than the Fong Lightsphere - not only for looks but for performance.
Anyway - no - I don't think having a lot of stuff collecting dust is a good idea.
nuff said.
Regards,
Jon

I really don't think that this is a matter of Gary Fong LS II vs Fli-It vs DIY ... they all have their place. I own the LS II, Flip-it and others, but now that I have more knowledge can really see the benefits of building your own solution. For example, the other day I was shooting in a room with green walls. With the LS II I felt it would be very, very difficult to get a good white balance (even with a grey card reference). So I switched to Flip-it and got better results, but wished I have cgardner's self contained DIY solution to minimize the color coming off of the walls. Also, the more flash work you do, the more you want to have custom designs that restrict and control light ... here is where the ability to quickly build what you need (barn doors, grate, narrowly focused hair light, etc.) seems to be attractive.

I fully agree with you Jon. If one has the motivation and skill for the DIY stuff and can turn out a commercial equivalent, then I say go for it. I'm all about saving some money. Hell, I even made a Sto-Fen-like thing out of an old milk jug that works ok.

Also, I'm not saying that someone will absolutely need every single light modification product out there, but they should have more than just one style for different situations.

look at it this way... you can go golfing with only a putter and a driver, but it ain't gonna be pretty...

The point which shouldn't be overlooked in the DIY vs commercial discussion is that playing around with various DIY ideas teaches one a quite a bit about flash modification variables.

The main reason I went the DIY route originally is because I wanted a diffuser which bounced all the light forward (I use 2 flashes and didn't want a bounce component) and was bigger and a different shape than commercial alternatives like Lumiquest.

I shot some new illustrations for my tutorials over the holidays and as you will see from the photos of the diffusers at http://super.nova.org/DPR/DualFlash/ they actually wind up creating a round reflecting surface which is about 8" in diameter. That's an effective area of about 50 sq. inches and a shape that's ideal for use with a camera flip bracket.

I used a pair of direct flashes for 30+ years before bothering with diffusers and that taught me the position of the light and the amount of fill flash has more real impact on the overally look of the lighting than diffusion alone. That explains why I'm satisfied with the diffusers vs other options such as umbrellas (which I feel diffuse and wrap the light too much to control on a dark background) or the x-small Photoflex SB which is larger and likely more diffuse, but also more cumbersome to transport and set-up.

Kopey wrote:
Hi there. I purchased the following kit from B&H. There are a lot of people that use this softbox with excellent results.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=419377&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

You may also want to consider an umbrella. I purchased the following one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1325&A=details&Q=&sku=42512&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I hope this helps.

Robert.

Robert could you post some examples using the mini softbox please.

Thanks