diffuser or softbox?

Hello everyone,

I have a question, I've done research on diffuser and softbox but on which occasions do you use them?

I take pics in clubs, where its dark. I've used handmade diffuser that looks like omni bounce but made of a cloth. and the pictures I take, I feel like the light isn't spread enough on subjects, like sometimes only the upper half of the body is lighten.

I bounce the flash, I use 550EX. (it doesn't swivel left and right..)
I've seen other photographers and they use somehow bigger diffuser(I think it was "softbox"? don't remember) or the one you hold in your hand, and I was doing research online, then saw diffuser and softbox.. and I don't know on which occasions they are used.

also.. when do you use this one the inside is covered with shiny material?
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/hamwithcam/1437​382589/

depends on the answers, I may make DIY lightsphere or softbox. or, any other suggestions?

thank you for your time.

If I'm doing party shots I'll usually use a sto-fen diffuser if I've nothing to bounce from overhead, like in a club, or the slide-out catchlight card on the 580Mk2 and bounce if I'm in a house or a marquee with a low white ceiling.
I haven't used other bounce or softbox mods in party situations as they really can get in the way, although I used to use a Limiquest Big Bounce at weddings, and that was very pleasant. I can't see it lasting long in a nightclub situation though.
A burst of TTL flash and long shutter speed to blend detail-arresting flash and ambient party lighting gives me light trails as well, and everyone loves light trails, right?

jonyc wrote in post #11520555
Hello everyone,

I have a question, I've done research on diffuser and softbox but on which occasions do you use them?

I take pics in clubs, where its dark. I've used handmade diffuser that looks like omni bounce but made of a cloth. and the pictures I take, I feel like the light isn't spread enough on subjects, like sometimes only the upper half of the body is lighten.

I bounce the flash, I use 550EX. (it doesn't swivel left and right..)
I've seen other photographers and they use somehow bigger diffuser(I think it was "softbox"? don't remember) or the one you hold in your hand, and I was doing research online, then saw diffuser and softbox.. and I don't know on which occasions they are used.

also.. when do you use this one the inside is covered with shiny material?
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/hamwithcam/1437​382589/

depends on the answers, I may make DIY lightsphere or softbox. or, any other suggestions?

thank you for your time.

Your 550EX should swivel left and right. Not to ask a dumb question but are you pushing the small rectangular button above the display that makes the unit swivel? Is the button broken perhaps?

For clubs (That I shoot frequently when I am bored.) I suggest grabbing a "Gary Fong" Diffuser, and as Cris put out...the 550 should swivel.

http://www.garyfongest​ore.com …universal-half-cloud.html

^^

example shots with the diffuser:

http://afb.carbonmade.​com/projects/2796926#1

to cristphoto: oh darn I found it out for the first time now.. haha this is great this solves lots of problems, thank you!

to merp: this looks great, I think I'd try to hand make this. love the shots.. which lens did you use and what are the settings of the camera? (shutter speed, focal etc )