Flash for portraits

I am using a G1 with a 420EX. I generally use the flash set to bounce off the ceiling when taking portraits indoors (most of the time at present, with such a young child--4 weeks). I do this because the direct flash just overexposes terribly, and produces a real "hot spot" being so close to the subject (see my other post on this).

Anyway, my question: has anyone played with a diffuser over the EX series flashes? In the old days, we used to just tape a piece of velum (drafting paper) over the flash lens. Is this still done?

thanks,
philip

Philip,

I use either the Lumiquest 80-20 or the Stofen Omnibounce on my 420ex. The 80-20 will redirect 80% of the light to bounce off the ceiling and the other 20 will be directly forward for fill flash. The Stofen is simply a plastic diffuser that fits over the flash head and diffuses the light - it works VERY well and I use whenever there are no low ceilings or when I am too lazy to get the Lumiquest out (takes longer and is bulkier).

Travis

Travis, do you compensate Flash output when use Lumiquest and bounce off the ceiling ?

Philip:

I agree with Travis, the omnibounce is a really neat solution and works very well with the EX flash units. I use one on a 550 and it gives very pleasing results. The light has a much softer impact on the subject, especially for portraits and results often in better exposure than bouncing off the ceiling. It also works very well for fill-flash situations and avoids shooting an obnoxious amount of light on someone. You get a 2.5 stops reduction in light with my omnibounce on 550EX. I'm not sure if that is universal on all the models, but I would assume so. The cost is roughly $20.

Cheers!

Philippe

will the omnibounce fit on a 380EX? Where can you get one if it does?
Thanks,
CMH

Some time ago I saw someone post this idea. Get a piece of stiff, white shiny card or plastic cut to the same size as your flash. Tilt the head to 60 deg. and strap the card to the flash with a rubberband so that it protrudes an inch or two beyond the flash. Can you visualise it? Effectively you're bouncing the flash off the card. It costs nothing, worked fine for me and if you don't like it get the omnibounce.

Oh and at a pinch, I've also tamed my flash with a cigarette paper.

Martin