A search for sutble lighting

[mulga bill]

I would welcome any thoughts on interior lighting.I have 1 580 and 2 430's but my biggest handicap may be me.I think that type of lighting looks a bit harsh,and would like a softer but more powerfully subtle way of lighting angled interiors,will you help?

ps i've just bought a 16-35L 2.8 and would like to know if i can buy an 82mm cp that does not darken the edges to much.Many thanks in advance.

[TMR Design]

Hi Peter,

The direct light from any light source is a bit harsh. Most lighting that you see has some form of diffusion for the light source(s). These diffusion devices range from umbrellas to softboxes and octaboxes, diffusion panels, and many variations of these.

You can try some very simple things to diffuse the light source before you go out and buy anything. Even using a white bedsheet or a clear or frosted shower curtain will work to diffuse light.

If you wanted to start with the most basic and inexpensive devices I would suggest you get a pair of umbrellas. If you got one bounce/shoot through and one reflective silver umbrella you'll have all you need to create some very beautiful lighting for your main and fill light, and the third flash, if used as a background light doesn't need any diffusion.

If you wanted to use the third light as a hair or accent light you could but you would need some form of snoot to control and shape the light a bit.

[Lotto]

Take a look at Scott Hargis's work on flickr. He's the master interior shooting using speedlights.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthargis/

[mulga bill]

Thank you very much guys and cheers