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FORUMS General Gear Talk Flash and Studio Lighting 
Thread started 12 Apr 2015 (Sunday) 22:05
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What is the single most effective way to diffuse light with on-camera strobe?

 
EOS-Mike
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Apr 12, 2015 22:05 |  #1

I'm using a 430 EXII on my 6D and having to shoot on the fly in tight, dimly lit spaces. Bouncing off the walls and ceiling isn't a consistent option for the location I'll be shooting.

The subjects are celebrities from a popular TV show and I'm getting pics for local newspapers and online publications.

I was thinking of Gary Fong's dome or a small softbox on the strobe.

Any ideas? I have to be able to move and cannot count on consistent surroundings. It's mixed lighting and weak lighting in a basement (but in a very nice lower level cafe). Pics have to be approved by the celebrities before I can publish.

Thanks.


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bumpintheroad
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Apr 12, 2015 22:17 |  #2

If you can't bounce off the ceiling or walls, then my favorite on-camera flash modifier is a Lumiquest and try to keep the subject away from the background to avoid shadows. I keep an UltraSoft in my bag and it comes in fairly handy at events.


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Aswald
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Apr 12, 2015 22:24 |  #3

I've used Gary Fong's dome, Stofen diffusers, gamilight 21, gamilight event pro and a host of other diffusers. At the end, I find that I reach out for the Stoffen diffuser caps for all my speedlights.

Gary Fong - good in large rooms where ambient light is sufficient. Great for large group portraits when you have certain control over the whole scenario. Power hungry as your flash tends to output at or close to max power all the time. Recycle time will be longer. Also, it's heavier and quite cumbersome to wield around all day long. I used the 2nd generation which wasn't collapsible so the weight and protrusion was even worse.
Gamilight 21 - probably the best soft light effect of the lot. In a scenario where you don't have to rush around to get the shots, these are perfect. I use it in black tie occasions where people are more civilized about posing for you. Make sure the flash you are using has TTL flash and great AF erformance in low light as the diffuser will be blocking the AF assist beam from the flash infrared.
Gamilight Event Pro - I use this where subject matters more than anything else, including overall photograph. This set up provides the most efficient use of battery and the most unrestricted light to the subject. In good ambient light, this is almost ideal. It does protrude so watch out for obstacles.
Stoffen - Great all rounder and robust. Quick and difficult to knock out of place. Only thing about stofen is that it doesn't spread the light far or wide enough when ambient light is very low. So, ISO balance is important to get that natural looking photo.

Fuss free and practicality, I would recommend Stoffen or Gamilight Event Pro.....or similar. Watch out for stoffen copies. Some may cause a slight color shift.

Good luck.




  
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Left ­ Handed ­ Brisket
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Apr 13, 2015 09:45 |  #4

Any sort of plastic that covers the end of the flash will scatter light in all directions, if you are not in a situation where bouncing works, the light scattered by plastic dohickies will be lost and you will be left with a light source the size of the plastic dohicky.

Something like this will provide a larger light source and keep the flash operating efficiently, at the expense of what is discussed in the thread :D https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1425​374&page=1


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Talley
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Apr 13, 2015 11:22 |  #5

Rogue flashbender...

although I haven't been able to use it in public yet haha.

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dmward
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Apr 13, 2015 11:35 |  #6

I like this: https://fstoppers.com …c-portable-light-modifier (external link)

Probably about the same as the flash bender, but collapses into a nice compact package that fits into a pocket.

Bouncing if first choice, then this with speedlite in one hand and camera in the other, finally this on flash on camera.


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What is the single most effective way to diffuse light with on-camera strobe?
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